Chapter 12 - The Boardroom Coup
The top floor of the Sterling Enterprises skyscraper was usually a place of absolute power and quiet luxury.
Today, it felt exactly like a high-security prison block waiting for an execution.
Alex straightened his expensive silk tie, though his hands were shaking uncontrollably.
He stared at his reflection in the heavy glass doors of the main conference room.
He looked ten years older than he had just a week ago.
The viral video of the elevator rescue had absolutely destroyed his public image overnight.
His stocks were plummeting at a terrifying, unprecedented rate.
Major investors were pulling out of multi-million dollar deals without a second thought.
Alex took a deep breath, pushed open the heavy glass doors, and walked into the room.
The entire board of directors was already seated around the massive oval table.
Nobody stood up to greet him.
Nobody even offered him a polite, corporate smile.
Twelve older, incredibly wealthy men and women stared at him with expressions of pure disgust.
"Have a seat, Alex," ordered Richard Sterling Sr., Alex’s own uncle and the board's chairman.
Alex swallowed hard, slowly sinking into the chair at the far end of the table.
"Uncle Richard, I can explain everything," Alex started, his voice cracking slightly with desperation.
"Do not call me that in this room," Richard snapped coldly, his eyes flashing with fury.
"In this room, you are the CEO who just cratered our quarterly earnings by fifty percent."
"The media is having a field day with you, Alex."
"You left a pregnant woman to die in a burning elevator so you could save your secretary."
"She wasn't just a pregnant woman," interrupted Eleanor Vance, the largest shareholder.
"She was your wife, Alex."
"The public considers you a monster, and frankly, so do we."
Alex felt a cold sweat break out across his forehead.
"I have hired a crisis management PR firm," Alex pleaded quickly.
"We are going to spin this."
"We will say I was disoriented from the heavy smoke, that I couldn't see properly!"
"Save your breath," Richard said, sliding a thick manila folder across the polished table.
Alex recognized the folder instantly.
It was the exact same file Diane, Lucy’s ruthless lawyer, had threatened him with.
"Your soon-to-be ex-wife's legal team sent us a little gift this morning," Eleanor stated dryly.
"A complete, highly detailed audit of your personal and corporate expense accounts."
"You used company funds to rent a luxury penthouse for your mistress."
"You expensed diamond jewelry, first-class tickets to Paris, and luxury cars."
Alex felt the room start to spin dangerously.
"I was going to pay it back," he lied, his voice dropping to a pathetic whisper.
"You are going to prison, Alex," Richard corrected him firmly.
"The board has voted unanimously to terminate your employment, effective immediately."
"We are stripping you of your CEO title, your company shares, and your golden parachute."
"You have exactly one hour to clear out your desk before security physically throws you out."
Alex sat completely frozen as the board members stood up and walked out of the room one by one.
They didn't even look back.
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In less than ten minutes, Alex had lost his wife, his unborn child, his reputation, and his entire empire.
He was absolutely, completely ruined.
