Chapter 4 : The Boardroom Blitz
The Harrington Enterprises boardroom was located on the 80th floor, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass that overlooked the entire city. The table was filled with twenty of the most powerful, wealthy, and intimidating shareholders in the country.
When Elias walked in with Clara on his arm, a murmur rippled through the room. Clara held her head high, the pearls glowing against her collarbone.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Elias began, his voice commanding absolute authority. "I present to you the rightful heir to the remaining forty percent of this company. My sister, Clara Harrington."
Before the board could applaud or object, the heavy glass doors burst open.
Vanessa strode in, flanked by Victor Sterling and a team of vicious-looking corporate lawyers. She wore a striking crimson suit, her eyes blazing with triumphant malice.
"Don't be fooled by this touching family reunion!" Vanessa shouted, slamming a thick folder onto the mahogany table. "Elias is being played for a fool. This girl is a fraud!"
The boardroom erupted into chaos. Elias stepped in front of Clara, his jaw clenched. "Security! Remove these trespassers."
"On what grounds, Elias?" Victor Sterling sneered, stepping forward. "As a minority shareholder in this company, I have the right to question the sudden appearance of a 'lost heir' who stands to take control of billions. How do we know she didn't steal that necklace from the real sister?"
Vanessa pointed a manicured finger at Clara. "She’s a gold-digger! I caught her snooping in the mansion. She plotted this whole thing!"
Clara’s heart pounded, but she remembered Elias's words. You bow to no one. She stepped out from behind her brother, her eyes locking onto Vanessa's.
"If I am a fraud," Clara said, her voice steady and clear, cutting through the noise, "then prove it."
Vanessa smirked, the trap springing shut exactly as she planned. "Gladly. A public DNA test. Conducted by a neutral third party—the Genesis Medical Institute. The results will be read live at the Annual Charity Gala this Saturday. If you are a Harrington, you have nothing to fear. If you are lying... you go to prison for corporate fraud."
Elias looked at Clara. He knew Victor Sterling owned half the medical board of Genesis Institute. It was a blatant trap. But if he backed down, the board would never accept Clara.
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"We accept," Elias said coldly. "But if she is proven to be my sister, Victor, I will strip you of your shares, and Vanessa... I will ensure you never walk in this city again."
Vanessa laughed, turning on her heel. "See you at the Gala, Elias. Wear black."
