Chapter 2: The Boardroom Bloodbath
The atmosphere in Andrew’s boardroom was suffocating. Ten men sat around the mahogany table, sweating through their expensive suits, as Andrew paced at the head of the room, shouting at his legal team over speakerphone.
"I don't care what the contract says! You find a loophole, or you're all fired!" Andrew roared, slamming his fist on the table.
"There is no loophole, Mr. CEO," a calm, feminine voice echoed through the room.
Every head snapped toward the double doors. I stood in the threshold, flanked by two corporate attorneys and a security detail. The silence in the room was absolute.
Andrew’s face twisted in confusion, then fury. "Mariana? How the hell did you get past security? Get out! This is a restricted corporate floor, you crazy bitch!" He lunged toward me, but my security guard stepped forward, planting a hand firmly on Andrew’s chest, shoving him back.
I walked slowly to the head of the table. To my left, the Chairman of the Board—a man who had ignored me at dozens of dinner parties—suddenly stood up. He buttoned his jacket and bowed his head. "Ms. Escalante. It is an honor to finally have you in the building."
Andrew froze. "Escalante? Her last name is..." His voice trailed off. He realized he had never actually bothered to look at my maiden name on our marriage certificate. He only knew me as 'Mariana.'
"Take a seat, Andrew," I said softly, dropping a heavy leather folder onto the table. "You're in my chair."
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"Your chair?" he scoffed, though panic was starting to bleed into his eyes. "I built this company!"
"You built nothing," I corrected, opening the folder. "Three years ago, when your stock tanked, a phantom angel investor saved you from bankruptcy. Escalante Holdings. We bought your debt. We bought your mortgages. We own sixty-eight percent of your voting shares." I leaned in close, ensuring he could see the absolute lack of mercy in my eyes. "I am the CEO of Escalante Holdings. You didn't build an empire, Andrew. You were just a tenant in mine. And your lease just expired."
