Chapter 3
For several long seconds, nobody breathed.
Brendan looked from Cassidy...
...to Chief Ethan Carter...
...then back again.
Finally, he laughed.
It wasn't confidence anymore.
It was disbelief.
"Very funny."
No one joined him.
Jessica forced a smile.
"Okay... seriously."
She looked at Ethan.
"Who exactly are you people?"
Chief Carter didn't even acknowledge the question.
His attention remained fixed on Cassidy.
"Ma'am, Executive Vice President Reynolds is waiting on a secure video conference."
Cassidy gave a small nod.
"Bring it in."
"Yes, ma'am."
One of the security officers stepped forward carrying a slim black case.
He placed it gently on the dining table.
Inside was a secure corporate tablet.
Within seconds, the screen illuminated.
A distinguished silver-haired man appeared.
Arthur Reynolds.
Executive Vice President for Legal Affairs.
He adjusted his glasses.
The moment he saw Cassidy's soaked appearance...
His expression hardened.
"Madam Chairwoman..."
His voice became noticeably quieter.
"...who did this to you?"
Cassidy answered calmly.
"I'm fine, Arthur."
"No."
He shook his head.
"You clearly are not."
He looked directly into the camera.
"Chief Carter."
"Yes, sir."
"I want every second of tonight documented."
"Already underway."
Brendan frowned.
"Arthur?"
"You work for Whitmore Global."
Arthur slowly turned his attention toward Brendan.
His expression remained professional.
"Mr. Whitmore."
Brendan smiled with obvious relief.
"Finally."
"Tell them this ridiculous joke has gone far enough."
Arthur remained silent.
Brendan continued.
"My father built this company."
Arthur calmly corrected him.
"Your father founded the company."
"Correct."
"But he did not decide its current ownership."
The smile disappeared from Brendan's face.
"What?"
Arthur opened a digital file.
"Following Richard Whitmore's death..."
"...the controlling voting shares were transferred according to his final estate plan."
Brendan frowned.
"I inherited them."
Arthur looked at him for several seconds.
"No."
The room became unnaturally quiet.
Diane stepped forward.
"There must be some mistake."
Arthur looked directly at her.
"There wasn't."
"You were present when the documents were signed."
"I would've remembered."
"You didn't read them."
Arthur's answer landed like a hammer.
"You signed the acknowledgment page."
"But the controlling-share transfer remained inside a confidential legal supplement."
Diane's face slowly lost its color.
Cassidy said nothing.
She simply watched.
Brendan laughed again.
Except this time...
Nobody mistook it for confidence.
"My father would've never left me out."
Arthur clicked another file open.
"I believe hearing his own words would be more appropriate."
A video began playing.
Richard Whitmore sat behind his office desk.
Older.
Weaker.
But unmistakably himself.
"If you're watching this..."
He smiled sadly.
"I'm gone."
Brendan's eyes widened.
"Dad..."
Richard continued.
"Brendan, I love you because you're my son."
"But loving someone and trusting someone are not always the same thing."
Nobody moved.
"You wanted the title."
"Cassidy wanted the responsibility."
Brendan shook his head.
"No..."
"For ten years..."
Richard continued,
"I watched her protect this company from people—including members of my own family—who cared more about money than integrity."
Jessica slowly looked toward Cassidy.
Her smug expression had completely vanished.
Richard smiled gently into the camera.
"If Whitmore Global is still standing..."
"It's because Cassidy Brooks refused to let it fall."
The video paused.
Arthur quietly spoke.
"That recording was made nine days before Mr. Whitmore passed away."
Brendan's breathing became uneven.
"That's impossible."
Arthur answered immediately.
"The recording has already been authenticated."
"You forged it."
Chief Carter finally spoke for the first time since entering.
"Be careful with that accusation."
Brendan ignored him.
"My father would've made me CEO."
Arthur nodded.
"He did."
Brendan blinked.
"What?"
"You were appointed Chief Executive Officer."
Relief briefly crossed Brendan's face.
"I knew it."
Arthur finished the sentence.
"You manage daily operations."
Another file appeared on the screen.
"But the Chairwoman controls the Board."
"Executive appointments."
"Corporate voting rights."
"Strategic acquisitions."
"Legal authority."
"And your employment."
Brendan stared blankly.
Arthur looked directly into him.
"In other words..."
"You have managed the company."
"But Cassidy Brooks..."
He paused deliberately.
"...has owned it."
Silence exploded across the dining room.
Jessica slowly stepped away from Brendan.
Diane grabbed the back of a chair to steady herself.
"No..."
She whispered.
"No..."
Cassidy quietly removed the soaked cardigan from her shoulders.
One of the security officers immediately draped a warm executive coat over her.
She thanked him with a nod.
Then looked back at Brendan.
"You always wondered why I accepted the divorce without fighting."
Her voice remained calm.
"I already had everything that mattered."
Brendan's face had gone completely pale.
"You knew..."
Cassidy nodded.
"I knew."
"You let me believe..."
"I did."
"You let me think you were broke."
"I did."
Brendan's voice cracked.
"Why?"
Cassidy looked at him with quiet disappointment.
"Because I wanted to know whether you loved me..."
"...or my position."
She let the silence answer for him.
Arthur's voice interrupted.
"Madam Chairwoman."
Cassidy looked toward the screen.
"Yes?"
"The emergency board meeting has concluded."
"The directors voted unanimously."
She already knew what was coming.
"Proceed."
Arthur read from the resolution.
"Effective immediately..."
"...Brendan Whitmore is suspended as Chief Executive Officer pending investigation for breach of fiduciary duty and misuse of corporate assets."
Brendan staggered backward.
"What?"
Arthur continued.
"And there is one additional matter."
Chief Carter discreetly touched his earpiece.
A security officer walked into the dining room carrying a sealed evidence envelope.
Arthur spoke calmly.
"Three hours ago, Internal Audit completed a review of executive expense accounts."
He looked directly at Brendan.
"The results suggest someone has been using company funds to finance personal luxury purchases."
Brendan's confidence shattered.
May you like
For the first time all evening...
He looked genuinely terrified.
