Chapter 4
The penthouse boardroom was a shark tank. Twenty of the most powerful executives in New York sat around the sprawling mahogany table, murmuring in hushed, tense voices. Arthur Mercer stood at the head of the table, looking triumphant.
"Gentlemen," Arthur began, placing his hands on the polished wood. "It is with a heavy heart that I call this emergency vote. My son, Daniel, has led this company well. But his physical limitations have finally broken his mental state. He is currently obsessing over a former employee and an illegitimate child. He is unfit to lead. I am stepping in as interim CEO, effective immediately."
The board members nodded slowly. The paperwork was already drawn up. All they needed was the final vote.
"All in favor?" Arthur asked.
Before a single hand could go up, the heavy oak doors of the boardroom swung open. The room fell dead silent.
Daniel Mercer wheeled into the room. He was dressed in a sharp, pitch-black Tom Ford suit. His eyes were cold steel. Behind him stood his team of ruthless corporate lawyers.
"You're late, Daniel," Arthur scoffed, though a flicker of unease crossed his face. "This is a closed meeting. You no longer have the authority to interrupt."
"I am the majority shareholder, Arthur," Daniel said, his voice echoing off the glass walls. "And I haven't lost my authority. In fact, I've just expanded it." He tossed a thick folder onto the table. "That is a full forensic audit of your offshore accounts. Embezzlement, corporate sabotage, and bribing medical professionals to falsify my records five years ago. You didn't just hide my family, Arthur. You paid the surgeon to ensure I’d never walk again."
Gasps erupted around the table. Arthur’s face went chalk-white. "Lies! He's delusional! Look at him, he's a cripple in a chair!"
Daniel locked eyes with his father. A dangerous, triumphant smile played on his lips.
Slowly, deliberately, Daniel placed his hands on the armrests of his wheelchair.
The room stopped breathing.
With a fierce grunt of effort, Daniel’s muscles locked. His feet, planted firmly on the floor, took his weight. His legs shook, but they held. For the first time in five years, Daniel Mercer stood up.
May you like
He towered over the table, his presence commanding and absolute. He leaned his hands on the mahogany wood, staring down his trembling father.
"I'm firing you, Arthur," Daniel said, his voice a lethal whisper. "Security is waiting outside to escort you to the police. You are done."
