Chapter 17 - The Judas Protocol
The sirens echoed through the Manhattan concrete canyons. Victoria Vance was not in an ambulance heading to a private clinic.
A high-definition television in the conference room flickered to life, showing breaking news from NY1. A swarm of reporters surrounded the steps of the New York State Supreme Court. Emerging from the doors was Victoria, looking radiant, draped in a blood-red Valentino wool coat, flanked by four high-priced corporate defense attorneys.
She took the podium, looking directly into the primary camera lens—directly at Daniel.
"Citizens of New York and shareholders of Vance Enterprises," Victoria said smoothly, her voice commanding and calm. "For the past eighteen months, I have been the victim of a malicious smear campaign orchestrated by Daniel Vance and his mentally unstable grandmother, Margaret Vance. While I was unlawfully detained, Daniel Vance used forged power-of-attorney documents to liquidate millions of company assets to conceal his grandmother’s international financial crimes."
Victoria paused, offering a tearful, sorrowful look that Daniel knew was pure poison.
"I have filed for immediate emergency receivership. The Board of Directors has convened an emergency vote for five o’clock this evening. By sundown, Daniel and Margaret Vance will be formally removed from Vance Tower, and the legitimate heir will take his rightful throne."
Daniel grabbed the television remote and hurled it across the room. It shattered against the wall, showering the plush carpet with plastic shards.
"She’s playing the public," Daniel roared, pacing the floor like a caged predator. "She’s using the media as a shield so we can't touch her before the board meeting!"
"She doesn't have the voting shares," Margaret said calmly, sitting at the head of the conference table, her hands folded over the platinum ring. "I control fifty-one percent of the founder's trust. The board cannot overturn my proxy."
"Unless they declare you legally incompetent," Elena whispered from her laptop, her face pale. "Daniel... look at the board docket. Victoria just submitted a certified medical deposition signed by Dr. Sterling—Victoria’s uncle. It claims Margaret has advanced stage-four vascular dementia."
Margaret’s face darkened with a rage so ancient and lethal it seemed to bend the light in the room.
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"Dr. Sterling signed it?" Margaret breathed. "Then Dr. Sterling has signed his own execution."
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