Chapter 5 - The Fall of the House of Cross
The emergency shareholder meeting was held at the grand ballroom of the Plaza Hotel, under the heavy glare of national television cameras.
Damian and Evelyn sat at the front, flanked by a massive team of high-priced defense attorneys. Damian looked exhausted, but a smirk returned to his face when he saw Marcus Sterling enter the room. He believed the bailout was secure.
Isabella entered last.
She wore a sharp, tailored white suit, her dark hair pulled back, looking every bit the sovereign ruler she was about to become. Liam Vance walked beside her, carrying a single leather briefcase.
"This meeting will come to order," Mr. Vance announced, his voice echoing through the microphone. "We are here to vote on the immediate removal of Damian Cross as CEO and Chairman of Cross Capital, and to vote on the proposed acquisition by Montrose Global."
Damian stood up, projecting his voice. "This vote is a farce! Montrose Global does not have the voting majority anymore. We have just finalized a capital injection from Sterling Ventures, which dilutes Mrs. Montrose's holdings to—"
"Actually, Mr. Cross," Marcus Sterling interrupted, standing up from his seat.
Damian frowned. "Marcus?"
"Sterling Ventures has withdrawn its offer," Marcus said coldly, looking at Isabella with deep respect. "And as of thirty minutes ago, we have sold all our existing options in Cross Capital directly to Montrose Global Holdings. I don't invest in sinking ships, and I certainly don't invest in fraudsters."
Evelyn gasped, clutching her chest. "What?"
Liam Vance opened his briefcase and pulled out a stack of federal warrants. "Mr. Cross, Mrs. Cross... while you were trying to secure illegal funding, the Securities and Exchange Commission, armed with the financial records of your offshore accounts and double-ledgers, has frozen all personal and corporate assets belonging to the Cross family."
Federal agents stepped through the double doors at the back of the ballroom.
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The silence in the room was absolute.
"You're done, Damian," Isabella said, her voice calm, clear, and utterly devoid of malice. "The board has voted. You are stripped of your title, your shares, and your legacy. You built this house on my back, and now that I've stood up... it’s time for it to fall."
