Chapter 10 - THE FALL OF MONARCH
Elena refused to restore Damian’s empire.
But Damian helped anyway.
He provided access codes.
Private messages.
Financial records.
Names.
Most importantly, he provided Victor’s schedule.
Victor planned to meet Monarch Capital’s largest partners during a private summit in Washington.
Elena saw the opportunity immediately.
Natalie disagreed.
“It’s too dangerous.”
“It’s also the only time they’ll all be together.”
Adrian looked at Elena.
“What exactly are you planning?”
Elena placed Alexander’s notebook on the table.
“I’m going to let Victor win.”
Nobody liked the sound of that.
Two days later, Elena appeared before the Voss Global board.
Cameras waited outside.
Markets watched internationally.
Elena stood at the head of the table.
“I am temporarily stepping down as chairwoman.”
Shock spread through the room.
Even Adrian looked surprised.
They had not discussed this.
Elena continued.
“Until questions regarding succession and ownership are resolved, Adrian Voss will assume temporary control.”
Adrian stared at her.
Victor’s allies immediately began messaging one another.
Exactly as Elena expected.
Within an hour, Victor publicly declared victory.
He claimed Elena’s resignation proved her guilt.
Monarch Capital’s partners agreed to attend his Washington summit.
Victor believed Voss Global was vulnerable.
He believed Elena had been cornered.
He believed Adrian could be manipulated.
He was wrong on all three counts.
That evening, Adrian confronted Elena.
“You could have warned me.”
“I needed your reaction to look genuine.”
“It was.”
“I noticed.”
Adrian shook his head.
“You’re impossible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
He almost smiled.
Then his expression became serious.
“What if the board actually removes you?”
Elena looked through the window.
“Then they remove me.”
“You built this company.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“Our father built it.”
“And thousands of people kept it alive.”
“If saving it requires me to lose my title, I lose the title.”
Adrian finally understood what Alexander had meant.
Power came from knowing what you were willing to lose.
The Washington summit began the following evening.
Victor entered a private dining room surrounded by bankers, investors, and compromised executives.
Damian was already seated.
Victor looked pleased.
“You came back.”
Damian raised his glass.
“Where else would I go?”
Victor smiled.
What he did not know was that Damian’s cufflink contained a microphone.
In a nearby command vehicle, Elena listened.
Victor began speaking.
He talked about controlling Voss Global.
Replacing Elena permanently.
Absorbing Cross Meridian.
Moving Legacy Trust assets.
Then Damian asked the question they needed.
“And Alexander?”
Victor stopped.
Damian leaned back.
“You never told me exactly what happened.”
Victor smiled.
“You already know.”
“I want to hear you say it.”
Victor looked around the room.
Everyone present had benefited from his network.
He felt safe.
So he answered.
“Alexander refused to cooperate.”
Damian’s hand tightened around his glass.
Victor continued.
“Your father made the same mistake.”
Elena stared at the audio monitor.
Natalie whispered.
“That’s enough.”
Elena shook her head.
“Not yet.”
Damian pushed harder.
“So you removed them?”
Victor looked directly at him.
“I removed obstacles.”
That was enough.
Marcus gave the signal.
Federal investigators entered the building.
Victor stood.
The doors opened.
Agents flooded the room.
Executives panicked.
Damian remained seated.
Victor looked at him.
Then he saw the cufflink.
His expression changed.
“You.”
Damian smiled without humor.
“You created me.”
Agents approached Victor.
May you like
Damian’s eyes hardened.
“You should have done a better job.”
