The Rejected Heir’s Unlimited Cash System

Chapter 8: The Shareholder Assembly

The grandeur of Bradley Tower’s grand auditorium was on full display. Crystal chandeliers gleamed overhead, illuminating row upon row of corporate investors, major shareholders, and financial news reporters. Flashes from news cameras flickered constantly against the polished mahogany stage where the Bradley Corporation executive board sat.

At the center of the stage stood Patricia Bradley, clad in an immaculate off-white skirt suit, her chin held high with arrogance. Next to her sat Evelyn, looking strikingly pale and rigid in a dark velvet dress, her eyes hollowed by a restless night. On the opposite side of the signing table sat Brandon Sterling alongside his father, Richard Sterling a broad-shouldered man with slicked-back gray hair and a cold, calculating gaze.

Brandon wore an expensive blue Italian suit, though a faint reddish bruise was still visible on his left cheek beneath layers of expensive concealer a lingering memory of Julian's strike from the night before.

Patricia stepped up to the podium, adjusting the microphone with a triumphant smile.

"Distinguished shareholders, members of the press, and esteemed board members," Patricia’s voice echoed powerfully through the auditorium speakers. "Today marks a historic turning point for the Bradley Corporation. For three years, our company has navigated treacherous financial waters, burdened by bad management and... unfortunate domestic distractions."

A subtle wave of quiet laughter rippled through the front rows, where several investors knew of Patricia's public disdain for her live-in son-in-law.

"However," Patricia continued, her tone growing sharp and confident, "as of last night, those domestic distractions have been permanently excised from our family. The useless courier who dragged down our reputation is gone forever. And today, we align ourselves with the true titans of Riverdale!"

Brandon leaned back in his leather executive chair, smirking arrogance radiating from his entire posture as cameras flashed in his direction.

"We are here today," Patricia announced, pointing toward the large projection screen behind her, "to ratify the immediate thirty-five percent equity transfer to the Sterling Real Estate Group in exchange for thirty million dollars in emergency liquidity! This transaction will instantly wipe out our outstanding defaulted credit notes and launch us into a new era of unprecedented prosperity!"

The room erupted into polite applause. Shareholders began whispering approvingly among themselves, preparing their digital voting pads to officially record the ratification.

"If there are no objections from the board," Patricia said, holding up a fountain pen toward Richard and Brandon Sterling, "we shall proceed directly to the signing of the merger contract."

"I object."

The voice was not loud, but it possessed a strange, resonant weight that cut through the acoustics of the auditorium like a physical blade.

The entire hall fell silent. Cameras stopped flashing. Shareholders turned around in their seats, looking toward the heavy double oak doors at the back of the auditorium.

The double doors swung open wide.

Walking through the threshold was Julian Vance.

He wore a bespoke dark charcoal suit that fitted his broad shoulders flawlessly, paired with a snow-white silk shirt and a slate-grey tie. His posture was impeccably upright, his stride calm, measured, and imposing. Behind him walked Chairman Marcus Thorne of Riverdale General, accompanied by four senior corporate attorneys carrying thick black leather document cases.

Gasps echoed across the room.

Patricia’s fountain pen slipped from her fingers, clattering loudly against the wooden podium. Her mouth fell open as she stared at the man walking down the center aisle. " Julian?!"

Evelyn gasped, clutching the edge of the table, her eyes widening in absolute shock. The tired, ragged courier who had served them dinners in a stained jacket was completely unrecognizable. The man standing before them carried the unmistakable aura of absolute authority.

Brandon bolted upright from his chair, his face turning red with sudden fury and embarrassment. "Security! What is this trash doing here?! Throw him out! He’s an intruder!"

Four uniformed Bradley Tower security guards rushed down the aisle toward Julian, pulling out their batons.

Before they could reach him, Chairman Thorne stepped forward, holding up a golden corporate seal badge alongside an executive injunction order.

"Touch him and you will be terminated and prosecuted immediately," Thorne roared with cold, commanding authority. "Mr. Julian Vance enters this assembly not as a guest, but as the single largest primary debt holder of the Bradley Corporation!"

The auditorium exploded into instant chaos. Journalists surged forward, camera shutters clicking like a barrage of gunfire.

"Debt holder?!" Patricia shrieked, clutching the podium as sweat broke out across her forehead. "That's a lie! He's a penniless delivery boy! He doesn't have a dime to his name!"

Julian reached the foot of the stage, stopping right before the podium. He looked up at Patricia, then turned his icy gaze toward Brandon and Richard Sterling.

"You are attempting to sell thirty-five percent of Bradley Corporation equity to cover a thirty-million-dollar defaulted loan," Julian said calmly, his voice carrying clearly to every corner of the room. "However, the credit syndicate that issued that loan was purchased in full at midnight by the Vance Global Syndicate Treasury."

Julian reached into his jacket, pulled out the leather-bound debt assignment ledger, and tossed it effortlessly onto the center of the signing table, right between Brandon and Patricia.

"The thirty million dollars is owed directly to me," Julian stated coldly. "And as your primary creditor, I veto this merger."