Chapter 2 – Borrowed Power
Chapter 2 – Borrowed Power
By six o'clock the following morning, panic had replaced celebration.
The executive floor of Cross Holdings looked nothing like it had the day before.
Phones rang without pause.
Lawyers rushed through the hallways.
Stock analysts demanded explanations.
Every bank had reached the same conclusion.
Cross Holdings no longer controlled its own money.
Damian stormed into the emergency boardroom.
"What is happening?"
Chief Financial Officer Daniel Pierce looked pale.
"Our operating accounts have been frozen."
"Our lenders have suspended every line of credit."
"Our payroll can't be processed."
Damian slammed both hands onto the table.
"Impossible."
"We're worth billions."
Daniel swallowed.
"We were."
He slid a thick folder across the table.
"The ownership records were sealed behind holding companies."
"We finally traced them."
Damian opened the file.
The first page displayed a single name.
Montrose Global Holdings.
His eyes narrowed.
"I've never heard of them."
"You have."
A calm female voice interrupted from the doorway.
Every director stood immediately.
Isabella walked into the room wearing a navy-blue tailored suit.
Gone was the quiet wife they had ignored.
Behind her stood six attorneys.
Four federal compliance specialists.
And Richard Montrose himself.
Damian stared at her.
"What are you doing here?"
Richard answered instead.
"My daughter has arrived to reclaim what belongs to her."
The room fell silent.
Damian laughed.
"This is some kind of joke."
Margaret Hayes placed several legal binders on the conference table.
"Cross Holdings was financed entirely through Montrose Capital."
"Every controlling share has always belonged to the Montrose family."
"You served as CEO."
"You were never the owner."
Damian's face drained of color.
"No..."
Margaret continued.
"Your marriage contract specifically waived any ownership claims by either spouse."
"Ms. Montrose personally insisted on that clause."
She turned another page.
"Last night she exercised her legal authority."
"You've been removed as Chief Executive Officer."
Security officers stepped forward.
Damian looked around desperately.
The directors who once praised him refused to meet his eyes.
One by one...
They signed the removal resolution.
May you like
For the first time in his life...
Damian realized power could disappear in a single signature.
