Chapter 4 - The Apex Predator
Arthur’s arrogant sneer vanished instantly.
"Who do you think you are?" Arthur demanded, his face turning an ugly shade of red. "You're a glorified Uber driver!"
"I am a third-year corporate law student at Northwestern who works delivery shifts at night to pay off my mother's medical debt," Riley corrected lethally, leaning forward and resting her elbows on the mahogany table. "And as of yesterday, I am the legal wife of the majority shareholder, which grants me full access to the internal audit files."
Riley didn't blink as she turned her terrifying, predatory gaze toward Vanessa and Paul.
"And you, Paul," Riley continued, tossing a second manila envelope onto the table. "You are an unaccredited broker who used Vanessa to get close to Arthur. In exchange, Arthur promised you a seat on the board once Mason was ousted. Unfortunately for you both, the SEC tends to frown upon insider trading conspiracy."
The boardroom erupted into absolute chaos.
Arthur turned the color of ash. Paul stood up, knocking his chair backward, looking desperately at the exits. Vanessa was completely paralyzed, staring at the woman she had just called a peasant, realizing too late she had walked into a slaughterhouse.
"You have no proof," Vanessa whispered, her voice shaking violently.
"I have bank records, encrypted emails, and a recorded confession from Paul's assistant, who was more than happy to talk when I offered him immunity," Riley replied with a cold, merciless smile. She looked at the remaining, stunned board members. "If anyone in this room votes against my husband taking his rightful place as CEO today, their name will be included in the federal indictment I am filing at noon."
Silence. Heavy, suffocating, absolute silence fell over the room.
Mason sat quietly beside her, his heart pounding not with grief, but with a sudden, overwhelming adrenaline. He had thought he was buying a prop to save his company. He hadn't realized he had just married the most dangerous, brilliant woman in Chicago.
"Guards," Mason commanded softly, his deep voice echoing in the dead quiet. "Escort my uncle, my ex-fiancée, and her boyfriend off my property. Cancel their security clearance."
As Vanessa was dragged sobbing from the room, and Arthur began shouting empty threats, Mason turned to look at his new wife.
Riley calmly stacked her papers, closed the leather folder, and met his gaze. The fierce, untouchable intellect in her eyes made his breath hitch.
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"You said one year, Mason," Riley murmured, a wicked glint in her eye.
"I lied," Mason vowed, a dark, possessive smile finally breaking across his face. "You are never leaving."
