Chapter 14: The Fall of the House of Vance
Chapter 14: The Fall of the House of Vance
With Patricia convicted and the Whitlocks completely ruined, Clara turned her full attention to Julian Vance. He had tried to interfere, and Clara did not leave loose ends.
She launched a hostile takeover of the Vance Corporation’s supply chain. Using her immense liquidity from the Vane holding trust, she bought out the harbor docks where Julian’s stranded ships were parked.
Then, she raised the docking fees by five hundred percent.
Julian was bleeding cash. His board of directors was panicking. He called an emergency meeting with Clara.
This time, he didn't bring champagne. He came to her office, his tie loosened, his eyes tired.
"You win, Clara," Julian said, throwing a document on her desk. "I’ll sell the shipping fleet back to you for ten million. I’m taking a twenty-million-dollar loss. Just lift the docking fees and let my other businesses breathe."
Clara looked at the document, then pushed it back. "Ten million? Julian, those ships are currently illegal to operate. They are worth nothing but scrap metal. I’ll buy them for one dollar each. Twenty-four dollars total."
Julian’s jaw tightened. "You’re insane. I’ll fight you in federal court!"
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"With what money?" Clara asked, leaning forward. "Your board just filed a vote of no confidence against you twenty minutes ago. You are no longer the CEO of Vance Corporation, Julian. My trust bought the majority of your board’s shares this morning."
Julian stared at her, completely defeated. He realized he hadn't just lost a business battle; he had been completely dismantled by a master strategist. He stood up, adjusted his coat, and walked out without another word.
