Three weeks later, the top-floor boardroom of the Vance Enterprises tower overlooked the city skyline. High-ranking executives, corporate board members, and senior attorneys sat around the long polished mahogany table, reviewing thick stacks of financial documents.
At the head of the table sat Clara, wearing an elegant dark navy suit that accommodated her growing belly. Beside her stood Ethan, resting a supportive hand on the back of her chair.
Clara: Good morning, everyone. Thank you for attending this emergency board meeting.
Board Member Miller: Mrs. Vance, we've reviewed the forensic audit reports provided by your legal team. The extent of Victoria's embezzlement is staggering.
Clara: She siphoned over six million dollars from our charitable research funds over the last fourteen months alone.
Board Member Davis: It's a miracle the federal regulators didn't shut us down before you uncovered this.
Ethan: Victoria used forged board resolutions and fake vendor invoices to bypass internal accounting controls. But every single dollar has now been traced and frozen by federal authorities.
Clara: As majority shareholder, my first official motion today is to permanently terminate Victoria Vance from all corporate positions and initiate full civil recovery proceedings against her personal assets.
Board Member Miller: Seconded. Is there any opposition?
The entire room remained silent. Every single board member raised their hand in unanimous agreement.
Board Member Miller: The motion carries unanimously. Welcome to the chairmanship, Mrs. Vance.
The board members broke into warm applause. Clara smiled, feeling a deep sense of peace wash over her. Her father's legacy was finally secure, protected by the very truth Victoria had tried so hard to destroy.
Marcus: Mrs. Vance, I also have an update from the state prosecutor's office. Victoria's legal team attempted to negotiate a plea deal this morning.
Clara: What were they offering?
Marcus: Five years for financial fraud, with the assault charges dropped.
Ethan: And what did the prosecutor say?
Marcus: He showed them the high-definition security footage from the living room again. He told them she is going to trial on all counts, including attempted aggravated assault on a pregnant minor's mother. She is facing up to fifteen years in state prison.
Clara: Let the trial proceed. She needs to take full responsibility for what she did.