The boardroom of Fairchild Corporations was a vast and imposing space. At the head of the table sat Harry Fairchild, calm and collected in his tailored black suit. Around him were the powerful men and women who made up the board, including his uncle Bruce Fairchild, whose face was set in a stiff, almost smug expression.
This meeting had been anticipated for weeks, especially after whispers began circling the company about internal sabotage.
Harry clasped his hands together and leaned forward. "Let's begin," he said smoothly.
A man in glasses, Mr. Jensen, the Chief Financial Officer, stood up and began the presentation. "As you all know, over the past six months, we've experienced a dip in quarterly returns, primarily due to the embezzlement of $3.4 billion through Fairchild Asia Holdings, a subsidiary under the management of Director Bruce Fairchild."
All heads turned toward Bruce, who scowled. "That's absurd. I had no part in that transaction. The Asia Holdings operations are managed independently..."
Harry raised a hand calmly. "Indeed. But the transfer was authorized using your digital signature, uncle."
He slid a folder across the table. "You see, I conducted an internal audit through ForensicData Inc. The transaction was routed through three shell companies Glenmark Trade, LatticeCorp, and Neurosys Investments, all traced back to a dummy firm listed under your wife's maiden name."
Bruce's face twitched.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the board. Ms. Audrey Cho, the stern-faced Legal Counsel, adjusted her glasses. "We've verified the trail independently. These findings are irrefutable, Bruce."
Trying to recover, Bruce gave a half-laugh. "So you want to accuse me of fraud in front of the board without hard proof? This is a corporate coup."
Harry didn't smile. He clicked the remote, changing the slide to a bank document. "Then explain this, two days before the transaction, you purchased a villa in Milan for €500 million. The exact amount that landed in the third shell account. Coincidence?"
"I can explain that..." Bruce began, but Harry cut in.
"I'm sure you can. But let's not insult the board's intelligence."
Mr. Jensen added, "As per Fairchild bylaws, any director found guilty of financial misconduct is to be immediately suspended pending investigation and prosecution."
A vote was called.
"All in favor of suspending Director Bruce Fairchild from the board and launching a formal legal review?"
One by one, hands rose. Even Bruce's own ally, Mr. Aldridge, hesitated before finally lifting his hand. The motion passed unanimously except for Bruce himself.
Harry nodded. "Effective immediately, Bruce Fairchild is suspended. His shares will be held in trust until the legal matter is resolved."
Bruce stood abruptly, knocking his chair back. Trembling with anger, he pointed at Harry "You think you've won, boy. But you don't know the half of what's coming."
Harry met his glare with chilling calm. "Then I'll wait for it."
With a stormy scowl, Bruce left the room.
Once he was gone, the tension shifted.
Ms. Cho leaned forward. "Impressive work, Mr. Fairchild. You've earned the board's confidence."
Mr. Jensen added, "And about the Indonesian port project you proposed, it's brilliant. Sustainable, high return, and geopolitically strategic."
Harry nodded. "I'll oversee the launch myself. I also want quarterly transparency protocols enforced across all subsidiaries, and a dedicated compliance team formed under Legal and Finance."
There was a round of nods and quiet respect.
As the meeting concluded, Harry walked down the empty hallway of the corporate tower, loosening his tie. The taste of victory was hollow without someone to share it with and the only person he wanted to see right now wasn't in this building.
She was in the estate. And she had no idea just how much she meant to him.
Sasha and Ana turned a corner and stopped in front of a pair of heavy oak doors. Sasha knocked once and pushed them open before waiting for a response. Inside, the room was dimly lit the curtains drawn down to prevent sunlight filtering through. It was elegant yet somber, filled with muted tones and thick drapes. In the center was a large bed.
In it lay Kimberly Fairchild.
Ana was taken aback by the young lady's appearance.
She was strikingly beautiful, even in her fragile state; long raven hair, pale skin, and fierce amber eyes that burned like wildfire. Her expression was a blend of boredom and disdain, but the moment her eyes fell on Sasha, her lips curled into a sneer.
"What do you want?" Kimberly asked coldly, her voice strong and sharp despite her condition.
Sasha's smile didn't falter. "Now, now, is that how you greet family?"
"I don't recall asking to see you," Kimberly retorted, then narrowed her eyes at Ana. "And who is this? Your latest charity case?
Ana stiffened. She opened her mouth to speak, but Sasha beat her to it.
"This is Ana. You've heard of her, haven't you? The girl that just moved in here. She's the surrogate that's going to carry my and Harry's child," Sasha said with mock sweetness, pushing Ana slightly forward.
Kimberly's eyes snapped to Ana and locked in.
"So… you're the one causing all the commotion in my house," she said slowly, voice laced with venom. "Do you enjoy crawling into another woman's bed? Or does the attention of powerful men just excite you?"
Ana's cheeks burned with shame and anger. "That's not true. I didn't...."
Kimberly slammed her hand on the armrest. "Don't you dare lie to me!" she snapped. "My brother may be a cold bastard, but he's still my brother. And you..." she pointed at Sasha, her eyes blazing, "you brought her here just to annoy me isn't it. You think I don't see what you're doing? Parading her around like a trophy. You enjoy making a mockery of this family every chance you get!"
Sasha's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained composure. "Kimberly, you're being dramatic...."
"Shut up, Sasha!" Kimberly barked. "You think you're so untouchable because of your marriage and that fake smile you wear, but you're nothing but a parasite. You ruined everything the moment you stepped into this family. And now you're dragging her into your mess too?"
Ana clenched her fists, trying to steady her voice. "I never meant to cause trouble. I didn't know..."
"Spare me the innocent act," Kimberly cut her off bitterly. "You're either naive or dangerous. And I'm not sure which is worse."
The room fell into tense silence. Sasha reached for Ana's arm, but Kimberly's next words froze them both.
"You may have fooled Harry for now, but I see through both of you. One is a snake with too much perfume, and the other…" Her gaze lingered on Ana. "A pretty little pawn in a very dirty game."
Ana's heart sank. She didn't come here to be insulted. She didn't even want to be part of this twisted world. But somehow, she had been drawn in, trapped in this situation she barely understood.
Sasha straightened. "I think we've heard enough for today. Come on, Ana."
But as they turned to leave, Kimberly's voice rang out again, colder than ever.
"Tell Harry his little fling won't protect him from the storm that's coming. And you, Ana… Don't get comfortable. You're nothing but a temporary distraction. And in this family, distractions don't last long."
Ana didn't look back as Sasha led her out, but Kimberly's words followed her like shadows. Dark, heavy, and impossible to shake.