Chapter 3: Checkmate
Forty-eight hours later...
Morning sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Sterling Tower's executive boardroom.
Richard sat confidently at the head of the long mahogany table.
Eleanor sat beside him.
Layers of expensive makeup concealed the fading bruise on her cheek, but they couldn't hide the nervousness in her eyes.
Twelve board members watched silently.
"The boy has disappeared," Richard announced, slamming his fist against the table.
"Vance has gone rogue."
"I move for emergency authorization to freeze every trust account until—"
The massive oak doors exploded open.
Both security guards outside collapsed onto the marble floor with pained groans.
Every head turned.
Vance walked inside.
His charcoal suit looked immaculate.
His expression remained cold as granite.
Just behind him came Leo.
Small.
Calm.
His chin held high.
"Security!" Eleanor screamed, jumping to her feet so quickly her chair crashed backward.
Nobody moved.
Every board member was staring past Vance.
Three men in dark business suits entered carrying leather briefcases.
Federal auditors.
Independent executors of the Sterling Trust.
The lead executor adjusted his glasses before speaking.
"Emergency authorization denied."
He opened a file.
"We have reviewed the surveillance footage from the wedding."
He looked directly at Richard.
"Physical abuse against the primary heir immediately terminates your guardianship under the trust agreement."
Richard's face turned pale.
"That's impossible."
He pointed at Vance.
"He's nothing but a rogue bodyguard."
Vance calmly crossed the room.
He stopped beside Richard.
Then leaned down close enough that only Richard could hear.
"I'm not a bodyguard."
Every syllable landed like steel.
"I'm the executor of this estate until Leo turns eighteen."
May you like
A brief pause.
"And you're the one trespassing."
