Chapter 4 - Blood on Wall StreetThe rain fell in sheets over Manhattan, reflecting the neon glow of the Vance Global Tower. Sixty stories of glass and steel stood as a monument to Julian Vance's ruthless corporate dominance. Tonight, however, the executive boardroom on the top floor was filled with panicked vultures.
Twelve board members sat around a polished obsidian table, arguing loudly over plunging stock prices and mounting federal inquiries.
At the head of the table sat Arthur Pendelton, the elderly senior board member who had long sought to curb Julian’s absolute authority.
"Julian has brought chaos to this firm!" Pendelton shouted, slamming his fist down. "His estate was bombed! His wife is missing! And now federal prosecutors are at our door! We must vote to remove him immediately under the emergency clause!"
"Vote accepted," a voice thundered from the rear doors.
The heavy double doors burst open. Julian Vance swept into the room, wearing a custom charcoal suit, flanked by Maria in a sleek business suit concealing her tactical shoulder harness. The room went dead silent.
Julian walked to the head of the table, his presence commanding absolute authority. He placed his palms on the table and leaned over Pendelton.
"You want to vote me out, Arthur?" Julian asked softly. "On what grounds?"
"On the grounds of incompetence and treason!" Pendelton stammered, trying to hide his trembling hands. "The news—"
"The news is a puppet show staged by terrorists who wish to buy Vance Global at a bargain discount," Julian cut in sharply. He snapped his fingers, and Maria placed a thick leather dossier in front of each board member.
"What is this?" one board member asked, opening the folder.
"That," Julian explained, "is proof of foreign bank accounts held by seven people in this room. Accounts that received ten million dollars each yesterday morning from an offshore shell company owned by Alexander Vance."
Gasps filled the room. Several board members turned deathly pale, shuffling their papers nervously.
"You didn't just vote against me," Julian said, his eyes scanning each treacherous face. "You sold out your own country, your own shareholders, and your own souls to a ghost. Effective immediately, the board is dissolved. Security!"
Four armed private guards stepped into the room, blocking the exits.
"You can't do this! It's illegal!" Pendelton yelled, standing up.
"I own fifty-one percent of the voting shares, Arthur," Julian said, stepping closer to him. "I am the law in this building."
Before Pendelton could speak, a tiny red dot of light appeared on his forehead.
Julian’s military instincts kicked in instantly. "GET DOWN!" he shouted, lunging forward and tackling Maria to the marble floor.
CRACK!
A high-powered sniper rifle round shattered the heavy triple-paned reinforced glass window, tearing through Pendelton’s chest. Blood sprayed across the obsidian table. Panic erupted as board members screamed and scrambled under chairs.
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CRACK! CRACK!
Two more rounds whistled into the room, striking the overhead lighting and plunging the boardroom into absolute darkness, illuminated only by the red emergency backup lights.
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