The news of Daniel Vance and Vanessa Hale’s arrest had exploded across every major financial news outlet and tabloid in the country. Headlines screamed: Billionaire Tech Founder Survives Murder Plot Executed by Husband and Best Friend.

The stock of Vance Enterprises had taken a temporary dip, but I refused to hide in a hospital bed while bloodsuckers circled my life’s work.

At 9:00 AM on Thursday morning, the grand glass doors of the executive boardroom on the 60th floor swung open.

I walked in wearing a tailored emerald-green suit, my hair styled carefully to cover the small bandage behind my ear. I walked with my head held high, my heels clicking loudly against the polished marble floor. Beside me walked Marcus Hale and Prosecutor Sterling.

Around the long mahogany table sat the twelve members of the Board of Directors. Among them was Arthur Vance—Daniel’s uncle, whom I had foolishly appointed as Vice Chairman three years ago to appease my husband’s family.

Arthur had been holding court, gesturing wildly to a presentation on the screen.

“…which is why we must immediately vote to appoint an Interim Chairman!” Arthur was saying loudly. “Claire is recovering from a major head trauma! She is emotionally unstable, the press is surrounding her house, and—”

“And she is sitting right here, Arthur,” I interrupted, my voice echoing through the massive room.

The entire board turned in unison. Several directors gasped; two stood up immediately in respect. Arthur Vance dropped his pen, his face draining of color.

“Claire!” Arthur stammered, scrambling to pull his jacket straight. “We… we were just discussing the crisis management plan! We didn’t expect you back so soon!”

“Clearly,” I said, taking my seat at the absolute head of the table. Marcus pulled the chair out for me, then stood behind me like an unyielding wall of muscle. “I hear you were advocating for an interim chairman, Arthur. Were you planning on nominating yourself?”

“Well… as Vice Chairman and the senior family representative—”

“You are no longer Vice Chairman,” I said, opening a thick leather folder. “In fact, as of five minutes ago, your board privileges have been suspended pending a federal investigation.”

A collective murmur gasped through the boardroom.

“On what grounds?!” Arthur demanded, slamming his hand on the table. “You can’t just dismiss a board member without a vote! My nephew’s legal troubles have nothing to do with me!”

“Don’t they, Arthur?” I asked smoothly. I pulled out a stack of bank statements and tossed them into the center of the table. “While Daniel was attempting to secure my physical security tokens, he made four calls to an offshore entity called ‘Vance Global Holdings.’ An entity registered in the Cayman Islands under your name.”

Arthur froze. His eyes darted nervously toward the exit.

“Over the last six months, twelve million dollars in research and development funds were siphoned from our European accounts into Vance Global Holdings,” Prosecutor Sterling explained, stepping forward. “We have the wire transfer logs signed by Daniel Vance, co-signed by you, Arthur.”

“That’s… that’s a routine corporate investment!” Arthur stuttered, sweat breaking out across his forehead. “I didn’t know Daniel was stealing!”

“You were using my company as your family’s personal piggy bank,” I said, leaning forward, resting my elbows on the mahogany table. “You thought because I was grieving the loss of my daughter, because I was quiet and stayed in my lab, that I wasn’t paying attention. You mistook my patience for ignorance.”

I looked around the table at the remaining ten board members.

“Is there anyone else in this room who supported Arthur’s motion to replace me today?” I asked, my voice calm, cold, and absolute.

Silence fell over the room. Not a single director dared to lift a finger or make eye contact.

“Good,” I said, standing up. “Arthur, security will escort you from the building. The federal marshals are waiting in the lobby.”

Marcus stepped forward, grabbing Arthur by the arm and pulling him out of his chair before he could even gather his papers. Arthur sputtered and yelled threats as he was dragged down the hallway, his voice fading into nothingness.

I turned back to the board.

“Now,” I said, opening the primary strategy dossier. “Let’s talk about the future of Vance Enterprises.”