Chapter 10 - The Vote Waiting Downtown
Mercer Global’s emergency board meeting had been called after a coalition of investors demanded Henry’s removal.
They accused him of withholding material information about the biomedical campus.
They claimed his refusal to sell the Willow Street land was delaying a major project.
Until that night, Henry believed the dispute was internal.
Patricia revealed the truth.
Whitmore Capital had funded the coalition through shell companies.
Richard hoped a new Mercer CEO would force the property sale.
The marriage was their backup plan.
If Henry survived the vote, Vanessa would gain influence through Daniel.
If Henry lost, the new leadership would seize the land through corporate pressure.
Either way, the Whitmores expected to win.
Henry’s assistant checked his watch.
“The vote begins in forty minutes.”
Daniel looked toward the ballroom.
“Go.”
Henry shook his head.
“I am not leaving you here.”
“You protected me my entire life. Let me protect what you built.”
Henry’s eyes filled with pride and pain.
Evelyn prepared the convoy.
Before leaving, Henry approached Richard.
“You mistook restraint for weakness.”
Richard forced a smile.
“And you mistook ownership for loyalty. Your board is turning against you.”
Henry glanced at Daniel.
“Loyalty purchased through fear disappears quickly.”
Then he walked through the ballroom.
The same guests who had watched Lorraine insult him now moved aside in silence.
Some whispered apologies.
Henry did not stop.
At the door, he turned back.
“Daniel, whatever happens tonight, the company is not your inheritance.”
Daniel frowned.
Henry touched his heart.
“This is.”
The convoy departed.
Vanessa watched the vehicles vanish.
Then she moved close to Daniel.
“I can help him win.”
Daniel looked at her.
“How?”
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She reached beneath the layers of her wedding dress and removed a small flash drive.
👉 Vanessa claimed the drive could save Henry, but using it would expose the one crime she had committed without her parents’ knowledge.
