Chapter 4 - The Emergency Meeting
I stared down at the silver money clip resting on the polished marble floor.
My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird desperately trying to escape.
I quickly kicked the clip under the edge of the foyer rug before Vanessa or Darlene could notice it had fallen.
"Is everything alright back there?" Vanessa asked innocently.
"Everything is just fine," I lied smoothly.
I left them aggressively unpacking in the guest wing and drove straight to Mercer Dynamics headquarters.
The massive glass lobby was buzzing with panicked whispers about my stunt at last night's gala.
I bypassed the crowded reception desk and took the private elevator directly to the executive floor.
Grant’s assistant desk, usually occupied by Vanessa, was completely empty.
I walked confidently into Grant's massive corner office without bothering to knock.
He was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, shouting into his cell phone.
He quickly hung up the call when he saw me standing in the doorway.
"Security is supposed to keep unauthorized personnel out of my office," he sneered.
"I personally own thirty percent of this entire building, Grant."
"Not for long," he replied arrogantly, adjusting his expensive tie.
"I want an emergency board meeting called for noon today," I demanded.
"You don't have the authority to call a meeting alone."
"Actually, she does," a voice said calmly from the open doorway.
Daniel Price stepped into the office wearing a sharp, intimidating navy suit.
"As executor of the Whitmore estate, I hold the proxy votes necessary to force an emergency quorum."
Grant’s face flushed with sudden, uncontrolled anger.
"You are going to regret doing this, Evelyn."
At exactly noon, all twelve members of the corporate board assembled in the glass conference room.
I stood tall at the head of the long mahogany table.
"I officially move for the immediate suspension of Grant Mercer as CEO."
"This suspension will last pending an investigation into the illegal transfer of Sophie Mercer's trust shares."
The room instantly erupted into loud, chaotic arguments.
Grant simply sat back in his leather chair with a smug, deeply relaxed expression.
"Let's put it to a formal vote," Grant suggested calmly over the noise.
I felt a surge of confidence because I knew I had the votes completely secured.
Daniel nodded at me reassuringly from across the room.
"All in favor of immediate suspension?" the board secretary asked loudly.
I raised my hand high.
Two of my father’s oldest, most loyal friends on the board raised theirs.
But the other nine members kept their hands flat on the wooden table.
I stared at them in utter, paralyzing shock.
"Motion denied," the secretary announced formally.
Grant stood up and slowly buttoned his tailored suit jacket.
"Now I have a motion of my own," Grant said.
"I move to permanently remove Evelyn Mercer from the board of directors due to severe mental instability."
He casually tossed a thick medical file onto the center of the table.
"As you can see, my wife has been secretly suffering from violent paranoid delusions."
May you like
I recognized the distinctive logo printed on the medical file immediately.
It was from my private obstetrician, the very same doctor who had confirmed my pregnancy just yesterday.
