Chapter 30: The Boardroom Coup

Whitmore Industries fell before lunch.

Not completely. Not yet. But enough for the city to hear the crack.

The emergency board meeting began at ten. Richard arrived pale. Victoria arrived furious. Scarlett arrived prepared.

She wore navy silk, her hair pinned back, her wheelchair positioned at the head of the table before anyone could object. Alexander did not sit beside her. He stood behind the glass wall outside the room, visible to everyone, silent enough to be terrifying.

Grace placed the court orders on the table. 'Due to evidence of financial misconduct, misuse of trust assets, and pending criminal investigation, Miss Scarlett Whitmore moves to suspend Richard Whitmore as chief executive pending audit completion.'

Richard shot to his feet. 'This is my company.'

Scarlett looked at him. 'It was my grandfather's company before you turned it into a debt machine.'

Victoria slammed her folder shut. 'You cannot run anything. You are being manipulated by Moretti.'

Scarlett smiled faintly. 'That is becoming your favorite excuse for my intelligence.'

A few directors shifted uncomfortably.

Then Scarlett presented Ethan's files, the Carter recording, the financial transfers, and Clara's sealed affidavit. Not all details were public, but enough were visible to make loyalty dangerous.

One director cleared his throat. 'For the protection of shareholders, I support temporary suspension.'

Another followed.

Then another.

Richard's face collapsed.

Victoria whispered, 'Cowards.'

The vote passed.

Scarlett became interim chair under emergency authority tied to her grandfather's shares.

For a moment, no one moved.

Then Scarlett turned to Richard. 'You taught me once that leadership means responsibility. I believed you then. I still do.'

Richard looked as if she had struck him.

'Security will escort you out,' Grace said.

Victoria stood so quickly her chair hit the wall. 'This is not over.'

Scarlett met her hatred without blinking. 'No. It is finally beginning.'

Outside the conference room, Alexander waited.

Scarlett rolled toward him, feeling every camera, every whisper, every stunned face behind her.

'How did I do?' she asked quietly.

Alexander looked through the glass at the empire she had just taken back.

'Like a queen,' he said.

And this time, Scarlett believed him.