Chapter 13 - THE SHOWDOWN AT 80TH FLOOR
Before the guards could even react, Emily swept forward with terrifying precision.
A quick strike to the neck sent the first guard tumbling to the floor unconscious.
The second guard reached for his sidearm, but Julian tackled him against the wall, disarming him in a swift blur of motion.
"Not bad for a billionaire," Emily smirked, securing the guard's hands with zip ties.
"I took boxing in college," Julian gritted his teeth, taking the guard's keycard.
They pushed open the heavy brass doors leading into the balcony of the grand auditorium.
Below them, hundreds of shareholders, journalists, and board members sat in rows of velvet seats.
Arthur Sterling stood at the center podium, smiling radiantly under the bright stage lights.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Arthur proclaimed into the microphone, "it is with a heavy heart that I announce Julian Vance's temporary step-down due to health concerns."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd of shareholders.
"Therefore, under company bylaws, I will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer effective immediately—"
"That won't be necessary, Arthur!" a voice boomed across the auditorium.
May you like
Julian stepped down from the balcony onto the main stage aisle, ripping off his worker cap.
Gasps filled the room as dozens of cameras swiveled directly toward Julian Vance.
