"Based on financial mismanagement and a failure to protect shareholder equity from unilateral, unvetted appointments," Vivienne chimed in, unable to contain herself any longer. She stood up, resting her knuckles on the table. "You're slipping, Arthur. You gave the keys of this empire to someone who doesn't even share our bloodline, while letting the core family assets bleed out. We are here to take control back, for your own protection."
Clara finally looked up from her tablet. Her gaze was ice-cold. "Protection, Vivienne? Or concealment?"
Vivienne’s expression flickered for a fraction of a second before hardening into a sneer. "Watch your tongue, Clara. You're addressing future leadership."
Arthur didn't raise his voice. He simply nodded to Elena, who stepped forward and opened the leather portfolio on the central podium, connecting an encrypted flash drive to the boardroom's master display.
"Before we discuss executive succession or injunctions," Arthur said smoothly, "let us review the final statement of account."
Chapter 4: The Final Invoice
The massive wall-mounted screen flickered from the corporate logo to a clean, itemized financial ledger titled: FINAL SETTLEMENT AND LIQUIDATION OF ASSETS – ACCOUNT V-409.
Henderson frowned, taking a step closer to the display. "What is this? This wasn't on the official docket."