CHAPTER 1 – THE FALL OF A KING
CHAPTER 1 – THE FALL OF A KING
The boardroom overlooked the entire city.
Floor-to-ceiling windows reflected twenty executives rising from their seats the moment I entered.
No applause.
No celebration.
Only respect.
"My apologies for keeping everyone waiting," I said.
My chief legal officer slid a folder toward me.
"The emergency meeting has been called."
I sat at the head of the table.
The seat that had always been reserved for the controlling shareholder.
The seat Daniel had never questioned.
Until now.
Outside the glass walls, I could see him racing through the lobby.
He was shouting at security.
"I am the CEO!"
One of the guards answered calmly.
"You were."
The board secretary cleared his throat.
"Agenda Item One."
He looked directly at me.
"Removal of Daniel Brooks as Chief Executive Officer."
Every hand except one rose immediately.
Unanimous.
The secretary nodded.
"Motion carried."
A moment later, the doors burst open.
Daniel.
His tie hung loose.
His hair was disheveled.
His confidence...
Gone.
"You can't do this!"
No one answered.
Instead, the secretary quietly placed the signed resolution in front of him.
"Effective immediately."
Daniel stared at the signatures.
One after another.
People who had smiled beside him at charity galas...
People who had toasted his success...
Every one of them had voted him out.
He looked at me.
"You knew."
"I always knew."
"You set me up."
"No."
I folded my hands.
"You destroyed yourself."
Security stepped forward.
Daniel didn't fight.
He simply looked at me one last time.
"I loved you."
I smiled sadly.
May you like
"No."
"You loved what you thought you owned."
