Chapter 7 - Vanessa’s Story Reaches the News
Vanessa held a press conference outside Vale International headquarters.
She wore white instead of black.
A family photograph stood behind her.
Julian smiled from the center.
Vanessa spoke about grief.
She spoke about Kiora’s “emotional instability.”
She described Marcus as a vulnerable elderly man manipulated by lawyers and a desperate widow.
Then she displayed hospital security footage from the mountain fire.
The video showed Kiora entering the abandoned building with Marcus.
It did not show Vanessa activating the fire system.
“Mrs. Bennett entered condemned property while pregnant,” Vanessa said.
“She placed my grandfather in danger.”
“She has repeatedly rejected reasonable settlements.”
“This is not about justice.”
“It is about control of Vale International.”
Reporters repeated the claims.
Online comments called Kiora a gold digger.
Some questioned whether the baby was Julian’s.
Others argued a responsible mother would avoid litigation.
The attack video from the courthouse had not yet been released.
Vanessa described the briefcase strike as an accidental collision.
Kiora watched the press conference from Evelyn’s office.
“She is turning every attack into evidence against me.”
“She only needs doubt,” Evelyn said.
“The probate court does not decide cases through social media.”
“Board members do.”
“Jurors might.”
Marcus entered carrying a sealed envelope.
“The board meets tomorrow.”
“Vanessa intends to remove every director still loyal to me.”
“Can she?”
“She controls temporary voting rights through Julian’s disputed shares.”
“The court has not confirmed those rights.”
“She acts before anyone stops her.”
That had always been Vanessa’s strength.
Consequences arrived slowly.
She moved quickly.
Marcus proposed appearing at the board meeting.
Evelyn objected.
“Your competency status remains under review.”
“Vanessa will claim you are confused.”
“Then let her do it on record.”
Kiora looked toward Marcus.
“You should not stand alone.”
“No.”
“You should remain out of the corporate dispute until the baby is born.”
Kiora almost smiled.
“You caught me once.”
“That does not give you control of where I stand.”
Marcus recognized his own lesson.
He nodded.
The next morning, Kiora entered Vale Tower beside Marcus and Evelyn.
The boardroom overlooked Charlotte.
Vanessa sat at the head of the table.
Charles occupied a seat near her.
He did not look at Kiora.
Vanessa smiled.
“Grandfather.”
“You should be resting.”
“I rested while you stole my company.”
A court-appointed physician entered behind Marcus.
He had examined Marcus independently.
The competency report found him fully capable of managing legal and financial affairs.
Vanessa’s temporary medical order was invalid.
Marcus resumed control of his personal shares.
That alone gave him twenty-one percent of the company.
Kiora’s unborn child controlled Julian’s forty-two percent through the trust if Julian’s will remained valid.
Vanessa held seventeen percent.
The remaining shares belonged to employees and public investors.
Vanessa could no longer act alone.
Marcus placed a motion on the table.
Immediate suspension of Vanessa as chief executive pending criminal and financial investigations.
Charles looked toward his daughter.
She stared back.
The vote began.
Four directors supported Marcus.
Three supported Vanessa.
Charles held the deciding vote.
His hand trembled.
Vanessa leaned toward him.
“Dad.”
Charles closed his eyes.
Then he voted to suspend her.
Vanessa rose so quickly her chair struck the glass wall.
“You coward.”
Charles looked at her.
“I was a coward when Julian needed me.”
“Not today.”
Vanessa gathered her papers.
“You think removing my title removes my power?”
She looked toward Kiora’s stomach.
“This child has not inherited anything yet.”
Then she walked out.
May you like
Minutes later, the building alarm sounded.
Vale International’s central financial servers began deleting themselves.
