Chapter 12 - The Whispering Ghost
The offensive started at dawn. By 8:00 AM, Cassidy sat in her top-floor corner office at Sterling Tower, looking at a stack of legal summonses. Vance hadn't just filed for custody; he had aligned himself with Julian Thorne, Cassidy’s most dangerous corporate rival.
"They’ve leaked manufactured documents to the press, Cassidy," reported Evelyn, her loyal Chief of Staff. "They’re claiming you embezzled funds during the restructuring and that your mental health collapsed after the divorce."
Suddenly, the glass doors opened. Julian Thorne walked in, wearing an arrogant smile, accompanied by Vance.
"A lovely office, Cassidy," Julian purred. "It’s a pity you won't be occupying it much longer. With the board meeting in three days, Vance’s proxy votes combined with my shares will give us controlling interest. You can hand over Hope and the company quietly, or be destroyed publicly."
Cassidy slowly leaned back in her leather chair, her expression unreadable. She didn't flinch.
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"You overestimate your position, Julian," Cassidy said softly. "And Vance... you are playing a game you lack the intellect to finish. Get out of my office before I have you removed for corporate espionage."
Vance’s confidence flickered, but Julian laughed off the warning. After they left, Cassidy opened her private laptop and pulled up an encrypted file. "Evelyn, contact Marcus Vance. It's time to activate our shadow portfolio."
