Chapter 9 - The Boardroom Ambush and the Stolen Patents
Harrison Vance stood up, sliding a three-hundred-page corporate charter across the table toward Derek.
“As of 8:30 this morning,” Harrison explained in a calm, precise tone, “the Montgomery Family Trust exercised its legal option under Clause 9 of the Series-A venture capital agreement. Because you defaulted on your fiduciary duties and engaged in undocumented capital flight, our trust has converted all outstanding debt into 78% of the voting equity in Sterling Logistics.”
Derek’s face drained of all color. “You can’t do that! The logistics algorithm is mine! I developed the patents!”
“Actually, you didn't,” I said, stepping into the boardroom through the side entrance, dressed in an immaculate charcoal-gray power suit.
Derek spun around, his eyes wild. “Claire!”
“You didn't write a single line of that logistics code, Derek,” I said, looking him dead in the eye. “You paid a brilliant team of Ukrainian software engineers off the books, promising them equity that you never delivered. We contacted them over the weekend. We purchased their contracts, paid their back salaries, and secured the patent assignments under Montgomery Technologies.”
Derek lunged toward the table, slamming his fists onto the mahogany wood. “You stole my company! You set me up!”
“You set yourself up the moment you thought kindness was weakness,” I replied without backing away an inch. “You thought I was a fragile trophy you could humiliate and control. You thought my father’s money would cover your gambling debts and your mistress’s lavish lifestyle while I stayed home and endured your abuse.”
The two federal marshals stepped forward, placing a set of legal summons in front of Derek.
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“Derek Sterling, you are officially served with an indictment for Wire Fraud, Tax Evasion, and Interstate Embezzlement,” the senior marshal announced. “Your passport has been flagged, and you are prohibited from leaving the state of New York.”
Derek looked between the marshals, Harrison, my father, and me. For the first time in his life, the arrogant, charming facade crumbled completely. He looked pathetic, small, and terrified.
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