Chapter 14: The Vote
My father did not ask for forgiveness.
Not immediately.
He simply handed me Nathan’s transfer documents and explained that he had stayed away because Eleanor threatened to destroy anyone connected to me.
It was not a good excuse.
But it was the beginning of the truth.
Robert Bennett controlled eighteen percent of Vance Industries through investment companies Eleanor had never identified. Combined with Nathan’s shares, we held enough votes to remove every director who had protected her.
The final shareholder meeting was held under federal supervision.
Nathan entered beside Rebecca.
I walked beside my father.
Eleanor appeared through a live court feed from the detention center. Her attorneys had demanded that she be allowed to participate.
Even in jail, she believed she could win.
Her lawyer argued that Nathan’s transfer to me had been signed under emotional pressure.
Then Michael testified.
Captain Mercer testified after him.
Mrs. Alvarez, Thomas, the cook, the maids, and the groundskeeper described the moment Eleanor pushed me from the landing.
Rachel presented the recordings from Charles’s hidden container.
Finally, the board watched the video recovered from the damaged security drive.
The image was grainy but clear.
Eleanor stood behind me at the top of the stairs.
Her hands struck my back.
I fell.
Thomas ran forward and caught me.
No one spoke when the video ended.
The vote was nearly unanimous.
Eleanor was removed permanently.
Nathan was confirmed as controlling shareholder.
His first act was to dissolve every shell company connected to his mother.
His second was to appoint an independent investigation committee.
His third was to turn control of his voting shares over to me until he fully recovered.
Eleanor leaned toward the camera.
“You think you’ve won, Claire?”
“I know I have.”
“You still carry a Vance child.”
“No,” I replied. “I carry my child.”
For once, Eleanor had nothing to say.
The court feed disconnected.
Everyone began leaving the room.
Then a sharp pain moved across my abdomen.
I gripped the edge of the table.
Nathan rushed toward me.
“Claire?”
Another pain followed.
A warm rush spread beneath my dress.
Thomas called for an ambulance.
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The baby was coming six weeks early.
And the doctor had warned us that another crisis could place both our lives in danger.
