CHAPTER 3 — THE EMERGENCY VOTE
By eight the next morning, the scandal had reached every financial network in the country.
Headlines called Isabella a suspected thief.
Anonymous sources claimed she had manipulated Montrose accounts to rescue her husband’s failing company.
Damian appeared outside the Cross mansion wearing a dark overcoat and an expression carefully designed to resemble heartbreak.
“My wife is under tremendous emotional pressure,” he told reporters. “Our family hopes she receives the help she needs.”
Standing behind him, Vanessa wore a pale coat instead of her scarlet gown.
She looked less like a mistress now.
More like a grieving friend.
Evelyn stood beside them, clutching the empty jewelry box.
“She took something that belonged to generations of Cross women,” Evelyn said. “But I still pray for her.”
Isabella watched the interview from her father’s office.
“He is building a public case that I am unstable,” she said.
Claire nodded.
“And the forged agreement gives him a financial reason.”
The Montrose board assembled at ten o’clock.
Adrian Locke joined remotely.
His face appeared on the central screen, pale and exhausted.
“Isabella has endangered this company,” he told the directors. “For years, she moved money into Cross Meridian without proper authorization.”
“I moved money under board-approved emergency facilities,” Isabella replied. “Facilities you prepared.”
Adrian did not blink.
“I followed orders.”
“Whose orders?”
“Yours.”
Damian entered the room before Adrian could answer.
He was not a Montrose director.
But the forged marital agreement gave him the right to attend the emergency hearing as Isabella’s alleged proxy.
He smiled when he saw the faint mark still visible on her cheek.
“You should have come home.”
“You should have learned who owned the home.”
Several directors shifted uncomfortably.
Damian placed the forged agreement on the table.
“My wife is facing a criminal investigation. Until the matter is resolved, her voting authority belongs to me.”
Claire rose immediately.
“The document is fraudulent.”
“Then prove it.”
Damian’s smile widened.
The board chairman called for a temporary vote.
If Damian succeeded, he would gain access to Montrose Global’s internal accounts before Claire could stop him.
Isabella studied the faces around the table.
Some looked loyal.
Others looked frightened.
A few refused to meet her eyes.
The vote began.
Four directors supported Isabella.
Four supported Damian.
The final decision belonged to the chairman, William Hart.
He looked at Isabella.
Then at Damian.
Before he could speak, the conference-room doors opened.
Marcus entered with a thin man in a gray coat.
Samuel Price.
The supposedly dead notary.
Damian’s smile vanished.
Samuel looked directly at Isabella.
“I will testify that your signature was forged,” he said.
A wave of whispers moved through the room.
Then Samuel added something no one expected.
“But only if Ms. Montrose protects my daughter.”
“From whom?” Isabella asked.
Samuel’s eyes shifted toward Damian.
“From the man who threatened to make her disappear if I ever told the truth.”
Damian stood abruptly.
“This man is lying.”
Samuel reached into his coat.
Security moved instantly.
But he did not produce a weapon.
He produced a brass key.
“There is a hidden room inside the Cross mansion,” he said. “Everything Damian has done is documented there.”
He placed the key in Isabella’s palm.
May you like
Then he whispered:
“Your husband did not marry you by accident.”
