Chapter 4 - The Boardroom Slaughter
My CFO looked at me, confused. “Do you two know each other, Ms. Vance?”
“We used to,” I said smoothly, my voice echoing with an absolute, uncompromising authority. I walked to the head of the table and sat down in the plush leather chair, crossing my legs. I didn't break eye contact with Daniel. “Please, gentlemen. Have a seat.”
The other two executives from Apex sat down, shooting panicked glances at Daniel, who practically collapsed into his chair. He couldn't breathe. The realization of what was happening was crushing him in real-time. The anonymous, untouchable billionaire who held the fate of his entire miserable career in her hands was the exact same woman he had left crying in an apartment with unpaid bills.
“Daniel,” I said, opening the financial dossier on the table. “I see you are listed here as a Senior Account Manager for Apex. What happened to your own agency? I thought you wanted a clean break to focus on your brilliant entrepreneurial career?”
Daniel swallowed hard, sweat beading on his forehead. “The... the software crashed five years ago. We lost all our clients. I had to file for bankruptcy.”
“Fascinating,” I murmured, a cold, dangerous smile touching my lips. “And the offshore account you drained our life savings into? Did that not keep you afloat?”
The two Apex executives stared at Daniel in absolute shock.
“Elena, please,” Daniel whispered, his voice trembling with pathetic desperation. “I didn't know this was your company. I’ve been trying to find you for years. I lost everything. My new fiancé left me when the money ran out. I’ve been living in a terrible apartment. I’m drowning.”
“That sounds like a personal problem, Daniel,” I interrupted sharply, the ice in my tone freezing the entire room. “And frankly, I don't care. I am here to discuss the acquisition of Apex Solutions.”
I turned to the lead executive. “Nova Dynamics is prepared to offer you three million dollars for your client list and your physical assets. However, I have one non-negotiable stipulation before I sign this contract.”
“Anything, Ms. Vance,” the executive nodded frantically, desperate to save his company. “Name it.”
“I want Daniel Morgan terminated,” I stated clearly, leaning back in my chair. “Effective immediately. No severance package. No references. I want him escorted out of my building by security before the ink on this contract is dry.”
May you like
Daniel gasped, lunging forward to grab the edge of the table. “You can't do this! I need this job! I’m three months behind on rent! You can't just erase my life!”
“You erased mine in five minutes,” I replied, staring directly into the eyes of the coward who had broken my heart. “You looked at me holding two screaming newborns, and you told me it wasn't your fault I was tired. You told me you couldn't do it anymore. Well, Daniel. Now you don't have to.”
