Chapter 9 - THE TAKEOVER
The next morning, Prescott Global's stock collapsed.
News outlets reported an internal family dispute.
Anonymous sources accused Ethan of financial misconduct.
A federal investigation was announced.
Board members demanded his resignation.
By noon, three major investors had withdrawn.
At 2:00 p.m., Margaret appeared before the board.
She walked into the conference room carrying documents that supposedly proved Ethan had concealed billions in liabilities.
I watched from a private monitor.
“This is a coup,” Caroline whispered.
Ethan sat at the head of the table.
He looked calm.
Too calm.
Margaret spoke.
“For eighteen years, this company has been controlled by men who believed power belonged to them.”
She looked at Ethan.
“Today, that ends.”
A board member asked:
“Who will lead the company?”
Margaret smiled.
“Madison Hayes.”
My stomach dropped.
I turned toward Caroline.
“No.”
“You don't have a choice.”
“I absolutely do.”
Caroline handed me a folder.
“Legally, she's right.”
“Why?”
“Because the trust is real.”
I stared at the document.
My name was listed as controlling beneficiary.
Ethan looked at me through the monitor.
Then he stood.
“Madison doesn't want this.”
Margaret smiled.
“That doesn't matter.”
“It matters to me.”
“You're not in control anymore.”
Ethan looked around the room.
Then he said:
“Fine.”
Everyone froze.
“I resign.”
My heart stopped.
He walked away from the table.
Margaret smiled.
She thought she'd won.
But Ethan stopped at the door.
“You made one mistake.”
Margaret frowned.
“You assumed I was fighting for the company.”
He looked directly at her.
“I was fighting for my family.”
Then he left.
Caroline looked at me.
“What now?”
I stared at the boardroom.
“I go in.”
“You don't have to.”
“Yes.”
I walked into the room.
Every executive turned.
Margaret smiled.
“Welcome home.”
I stood at the head of the table.
“I don't want this company.”
Margaret laughed.
“Then why are you here?”
“To destroy the people who stole from my mother.”
The room went silent.
I placed a file on the table.
Caroline activated the screen.
Bank transfers appeared.
Shell companies.
Offshore accounts.
Fake charities.
And photographs.
Margaret's smile disappeared.
“These are yours.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“Your accounts.”
“No.”
“Your signatures.”
She looked at Daniel.
He closed his eyes.
I turned toward him.
“Dad.”
He looked at me.
“I need the truth.”
He nodded.
“Then tell them.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“The money was never stolen.”
Everyone stared.
“What?”
“It was moved.”
“Why?”
“To expose the people behind the fraud.”
Margaret whispered:
“Daniel.”
He ignored her.
“I've been working undercover for years.”
Caroline smiled.
“I knew it.”
Margaret stood.
“You betrayed me.”
Daniel looked at her.
“You killed enough people.”
Margaret reached into her coat.
Security shouted.
She pulled out a gun.
Everything happened at once.
A shot.
Glass shattered.
Daniel fell.
I screamed.
Ethan came running through the door.
“Madison!”
Daniel lay on the floor.
Blood spread across his shirt.
Margaret disappeared through the emergency exit.
I dropped beside my father.
“Dad!”
His eyes opened.
He grabbed my hand.
“There's one more thing…”
“What?”
He struggled to breathe.
“Your mother…”
I leaned closer.
“She didn't die.”
My entire body froze.
“What?”
Daniel whispered:
May you like
“She disappeared.”
Then his eyes closed.
