Vengeful Heir: The Rise of Ethan Bennett

Chapter Nine

Henry Steele sat in his lawyer’s office, an air of impatience thick around him.

His lawyer, a shrewd man with years of courtroom experience, was flipping through the latest reports on Henry’s case.

“The FBI doesn’t have much,” the lawyer said, his voice clipped. “The evidence against you is circumstantial at best.”

Henry gave a curt nod, his face flushed with anger and humiliation. “Good. Then I can get back to business.”

The lawyer, unfazed by Henry’s arrogance, leaned back in his chair. “I’m working on securing your release. But, Henry, the damage is already done.”

Henry’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

“The media’s run wild with the story. Investors are spooked. Steele Industries is taking a hit.”

Henry slammed his fist on the table, sending a coffee mug teetering to the edge.

“Damn it! I’ll fix this. I just need to get back in control.”

But control was slipping away faster than Henry realized.

Two days later, Henry was bailed out of FBI custody, his lawyer managing to poke holes in the case.

But as Henry stepped out of the building, he was greeted by flashing cameras and a barrage of reporters shouting questions about his arrest.

He pushed through the crowd, trying to maintain a facade of confidence, but the cracks were beginning to show.

Back at Steele Industries, chaos had already erupted. The arrest had sent investors into a panic, and stocks were plummeting.

In the boardroom, Henry paced, barking orders to his team.

“We need to reassure the investors! Get Jerry Bloom on the phone. He’s been with us for years, he won't abandon us now.”

Henry’s assistant nervously dialed the number, but after a brief conversation, she shook her head.

“He’s not taking the call, sir. He’s already pulled his investments.”

Henry’s heart sank. Jerry Bloom, one of his oldest friends, had jumped ship. It was worse than he thought.

“No, no. This isn’t happening.” He turned to his executives, his voice rising with desperation. “Get me meetings with all our major shareholders. I’ll convince them that Steele Industries is still strong.”

But one by one, his attempts to win back favor were met with cold refusals. The damage was done, and no one wanted to sink with the Steele ship.

As Henry scrambled, he failed to notice the shadow that was steadily moving behind the scenes, Ethan.

Across the city, Ethan sat in his private office, a calm smile on his face as he monitored the financial markets. His assistant, Liam, handed him a report. “Steele Industries’ shares are in free fall, just as expected. Their investors are pulling out faster than they can react.”

Ethan nodded, his eyes scanning the figures.

“Good. Continue acquiring their shares quietly. I don’t want them to know it’s me until it’s too late.”

Liam hesitated. “Sir, at this rate, Steele Industries won’t last much longer. They’re hemorrhaging money.”

“That’s the plan,” Ethan replied, his voice cool and controlled. “Henry thinks he can talk his way out of this. Let him try.”

Over the next few days, the situation spiraled further out of control. Steele Industries was bleeding investors, their stock value crashing with each passing hour.

Henry, once so confident in his ability to charm and manipulate his way through any crisis, found himself powerless. His attempts to rally support were met with silence, and even his most loyal allies were abandoning him.

Sitting at his desk, Henry’s phone rang. It was his old friend, Jerry Bloom, finally returning his call. Henry’s heart lifted with hope.

“Jerry! Thank God, I’ve been trying to reach you.”

But Jerry’s voice was cold, distant. “Henry, we’ve known each other a long time, but I can’t afford to be associated with Steele Industries anymore. My board has made it clear, if I don’t pull out now, I’m putting my own company at risk.”

Henry’s stomach twisted. “Jerry, please. We can weather this storm together. We just need a little more time.”

Jerry sighed. “I’m sorry, Henry. This isn’t personal. It’s business.”

The line went dead, and Henry stared at the phone in disbelief. Even Jerry had abandoned him. His world was crumbling around him, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Meanwhile, Ethan continued his methodical dismantling of Steele Industries.

He had positioned himself perfectly, buying up shares at rock-bottom prices while Henry and his family scrambled to save what little they had left.

From the outside, it looked like the Steeles were fighting a losing battle against market forces, but in reality, Ethan was pulling every string.

By the time Henry realized what was happening, it was too late. He called an emergency meeting with the board, desperation clear in his voice.

“We need to find out who’s behind this! Someone’s been manipulating the market, targeting us.”

Max, recently out of jail and visibly shaken by the turn of events, leaned against the conference table, his eyes dark with frustration.

“We’re finished, Dad. Investors are gone. We have no cash flow. There’s nothing left.”

Henry slammed his hand on the table, his voice shaking with fury. “I built this company! I won’t let it fall apart!”

But even as he spoke, he knew the truth. Steele Industries was collapsing, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

The final blow came in the form of a hostile takeover bid. Ethan, still hidden behind layers of corporate anonymity, made his move.

He now owned a controlling interest in Steele Industries, and with the company in shambles, there was no one left to stop him.

Sitting in his office, Ethan watched the final reports roll in. Steele Industries was his, every piece of it. The Steeles, once so powerful and arrogant, were now at his mercy.

And they still had no idea that the man they had ridiculed and dismissed was the one who had orchestrated their downfall.

Liam entered the office, a hint of pride in his voice. “It’s done, sir. Steele Industries is officially under your control.”

Ethan leaned back in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Good. Now, let’s see how Henry handles being on the outside looking in.”

As Henry sat in his empty boardroom, staring at the financial reports that marked the end of his empire, Ethan’s words echoed in the air, though Henry couldn’t hear them. The game was over. And Ethan had won.

Henry’s world had been shattered in the blink of an eye, and he never even saw it coming.

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