Chapter 9 - THE EMERGENCY VOTE
The boardroom on the seventy-eighth floor had no windows.
Sebastian entered at 11:58 a.m.
Twelve directors sat around the black table.
At its head was Margaret Sloan, his mentor and the woman who had taught him how to survive Conrad Ward.
“You are late,” she said.
“I was busy avoiding death.”
“Then the resolution may be premature.”
No one smiled.
A legal team displayed documents showing that Sebastian Ward had died in a boating accident eight months earlier.
The man standing before them was allegedly Thomas Vale Jr., an impostor who had stolen Sebastian’s identity.
The evidence included DNA results, dental records, and a death certificate signed by a federal examiner.
Sebastian recognized the brilliance of it.
Conrad was not stealing the company.
He was erasing the owner.
Margaret slid a sealed envelope toward him.
“This was delivered this morning.”
Inside was a copy of his mother’s handwritten will.
It named Thomas Vale as his father and instructed that Sebastian’s inheritance be held until his identity could be proven through a private genetic archive.
“Where is the archive?” Sebastian asked.
Margaret folded her hands.
“Vault Nine.”
The evidence in the vault had been corrupted by the gas release.
Every digital file was now unreadable.
Sebastian looked at the directors.
“How many of you were paid?”
Three looked offended.
Five looked afraid.
Four refused to meet his eyes.
Margaret called the vote.
The first six directors voted against him.
The seventh abstained.
Before the eighth could speak, every phone in the room began ringing.
News alerts reported that federal agents had raided Ward Meridian offices in five countries.
The charges included bribery, pension theft, and conspiracy to murder Daniel Voss.
Sebastian’s name appeared as the primary suspect.
Margaret leaned toward him.
“This is no longer a board fight.”
The doors opened.
Federal agents entered with weapons drawn.
Their leader held out a warrant.
“Sebastian Ward, you are under arrest.”
Sebastian raised his hands.
May you like
Across the table, Margaret silently mouthed two words.
Trust no one.
