Chapter 16 - The Ambush Unfolds
Before Julian could summon the security team, Marcus stepped forward, snapping his fingers at two uniformed process servers waiting behind the pillars.
The servers walked past the bewildered guests, holding stacks of sealed legal folders stamped with the New York Supreme Court seal.
"What is this theatrical nonsense, Marcus?" Julian demanded, ignoring the cameras that guests were now covertly aiming in their direction.
"An emergency judicial injunction, Julian," Marcus announced loudly enough for the front three rows of socialites to hear clearly.
Victoria smiled, a predator watching its prey step into the snare.
"Your father's original trust agreement contained a moral turpitude clause," Victoria explained, her voice honeyed and venomous.
"You had me ousted through falsified accusations of assault, Julian. But a man who assaults his own cousin in an executive boardroom is hardly fit to manage the family estate."
Marcus turned his head slightly, showing off a freshly bruised jaw and a pristine medical report from Manhattan General.
"You physically attacked me two days ago, cousin," Marcus said, playing the aggrieved victim with sickening skill. "And we have the executive conference room footage to prove it."
Julian realized the setup in an instant.
Marcus had intentionally provoked him to get shoved against the glass wall.
"You traded your dignity for a minor assault charge?" Julian asked, letting out a dark, mocking chuckle. "That’s the best you could come up with?"
"It’s not just an assault charge, Julian," Victoria countered, taking half a step toward Elara.
"The board convenes tomorrow morning at eight o’clock. By judicial order, your executive voting rights are frozen until the assault and the paternity challenge are fully investigated."
The whispers among the crowd rose like a swarm of angry hornets.
Investors and social rivals were already whispering into their phones, anticipating the catastrophic drop in Vance Global stock at market open.
Elara stepped around Julian, confronting Victoria head-on, her chin raised, eyes blazing.
"You think you can break us with paper and lies?" Elara said, her voice steady and lethal.
"I am merely reclaiming what belongs to my bloodline, girl," Victoria hissed quietly, leaning in close. "You stole my son. You took my home. But you will not take the Vance empire."
"Your empire is rotten, Victoria," Elara replied, not blinking. "And so are you."
Julian reached over, catching Victoria by the wrist before she could make another move toward Elara.
His grip was iron, causing the elder woman’s mask of composure to crack for a split second as pain shot up her arm.
"The police are pulling up outside right now," Julian said coldly. "Leave this building on your own feet, or I will have you carried out in zip-ties for the world to see."
Victoria wrenched her hand free, smoothing down her silver gown with forced elegance.
May you like
"Tomorrow morning, Julian," Victoria whispered, backing toward the exit with Marcus. "Tomorrow, you watch your kingdom crumble."
***
