Chapter 4 - The Fall of Victoria
Victoria’s confident, cruel demeanor had completely disintegrated. The woman who had kicked my blanket away in front of a hundred laughing guests was now trembling, her knuckles white as she clutched her expensive leather purse.
"Julian... my love," she whimpered, taking a tiny step toward me, her eyes brimming with forced, dramatic tears. "You have to believe me... I didn't know anything about Arthur and Marcus's plot! I was just hurt... I was angry and confused after the accident! I said terrible things last night, but I didn't mean them! I was just in shock!"
I stopped two feet away from her, looking down at her with complete detachment.
"You called me a useless cripple, Victoria," I reminded her softly. "You laughed while your mother mocked my condition. You kicked my blanket aside like I was garbage."
"I was emotional!" she sobbed, reaching out to touch my arm. "I love you, Julian! We were going to get married! Think about everything we've built together! Our families, our status!"
I stepped back, letting her hand fall uselessly through the air. "We didn't build anything, Victoria. I built an empire, and you bought shoes."
I gestured to Lily, who stepped forward holding a small velvet box. I opened it, revealing the magnificent five-carat diamond engagement ring I had placed on Victoria's finger six months ago.
"I believe you left this on my nightstand this morning along with a letter demanding a ten-million-dollar severance settlement," I said, pulling the letter from my jacket pocket and holding it up for the entire board to see.
Victoria’s face turned bright red. Her own words were printed on the page, detailing how she refused to waste her youth on a man who couldn't walk.
"Sarah," I said, turning to my attorney. "File for an immediate annulment of our engagement on the grounds of fraud and emotional distress. Additionally, audit every single credit card and bank account Victoria has accessed over the last three years. Every dollar that was spent using Vance Global funds will be repaid, or she will join Arthur and Marcus in a federal cell."
"No!" Victoria screamed, her voice cracking. "You can't do this to me! My family will be ruined! I am a Sterling-Cross! My reputation—"
"Your reputation died the moment you traded your humanity for ambition," I interrupted coldly. "Ray, escort Miss Sterling-Cross out of my building. If she sets foot on Vance Global property again, have her arrested for trespassing."
Two security guards stepped forward, grabbing Victoria by her arms. She kicked and screamed, cursing my name, as she was dragged down the hallway, her high heels squeaking against the polished marble floors until the elevator doors finally slid shut, drowning out her cries.
The boardroom fell into a stunned silence.
I walked over to the head of the table, pulling out the massive leather CEO chair, and sat down. Eleanor Vance stood up, clapping her hands slowly, and within seconds, the remaining board members joined in, a resounding ovation filling the room.
I raised my hand, bringing the room back to order.
"Thank you," I said, looking around at the loyal members who remained. "Vance Global has suffered a betrayal, but today we cut out the rot. We are going to rebuild this company on transparency, loyalty, and strength."
I looked over at Lily, who was standing quietly by the door, holding her notepad, looking completely amazed by everything that had transpired.
"And effective immediately," I announced, pointing toward her, "I am appointing Lily Miller as the Chief Executive Liaison to the Board. She will manage my personal office, oversee all internal communications, and receive full executive benefits."
Lily's eyes widened in sheer shock. She looked at me, then at the board members, who were all nodding and smiling in approval.
"M-Mr. Vance... Julian," she stammered, stepping forward. "I... I don't know what to say. I don't have a corporate degree..."
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"You have something far more valuable, Lily," I said, standing up and walking over to her. I held out my hand, and she took it. "You have integrity. You saw a man at his lowest point and showed him kindness when no one else would. That makes you more qualified than anyone else in this room."
Lily looked up at me, a soft, radiant smile breaking across her face, her eyes shining with happiness. For the first time in years, I felt a spark of genuine warmth in my chest—a feeling that had nothing to do with power or revenge, and everything to do with the incredible woman standing in front of me.
