Chapter 17 - THE BOARDROOM WAR
The doors exploded open.
Men rushed into the boardroom.
But nobody was sitting at the table.
My grandfather stopped.
"Where is Sebastian?"
The lights came on.
I stood on the balcony above him.
"Looking for me?"
His eyes narrowed.
"You."
"Disappointed?"
He smiled.
"You look like your father."
"That's unfortunate for you."
He laughed.
"You've spent years believing you won."
"I survived."
"Survival isn't victory."
Then the screens behind him activated.
Every transaction.
Every recording.
Every hidden account.
Every conversation.
Displayed across the walls.
My grandfather stared.
Richard stepped forward.
"I gave Sebastian everything."
My grandfather looked at him.
"Traitor."
"No."
Richard shook his head.
"Father."
The room froze.
I looked at Richard.
"What?"
My grandfather's face changed.
Richard removed his jacket.
"My name isn't Richard Cole."
He looked directly at me.
"My name is Richard Vance."
Victoria stood.
"You're another son?"
He nodded.
"My grandfather erased me because I refused to obey him."
I couldn't process it.
Another sibling.
Another secret.
Another lie.
My grandfather laughed.
"You think blood makes you family?"
I answered:
"No."
I looked around the room.
"Choice does."
Marcus's men entered.
Police followed.
My grandfather's guards surrendered.
But he didn't.
He pulled a gun.
He pointed it toward Clara.
Everything stopped.
I stepped forward.
"Don't."
He smiled.
"Your father begged too."
Then Evelyn moved.
She stepped between him and Clara.
"You're done."
He fired.
The bullet struck the wall.
Marcus tackled him.
Police surrounded him.
Clara was safe.
But Evelyn had fallen.
Blood covered her shoulder.
I ran toward her.
She looked at me.
"I'm okay."
I held her hand.
"You're family."
She smiled.
"Finally."
As police dragged our grandfather away, he shouted:
"You still don't understand!"
I turned.
"What?"
He laughed.
"The trust isn't yours."
My heart stopped.
"Whose is it?"
He looked toward Nathaniel.
May you like
"His."
Then the doors closed.
