Chapter 4 - The Boardroom Battle
Three weeks later, the war escalated to the corporate realm.
My architectural firm, Carter Design Studio, had been hired two years prior to design the $100 million San Francisco Civic Art Center—a project that was sixty percent complete and represented the pinnacle of my career.
Victoria Brooks was a primary board member of the Civic Art Committee.
At 2:00 PM on Tuesday, I walked into the high-rise boardroom of the Civic Center Authority for an emergency board meeting called by Victoria.
I wore an icy white power suit, my dark hair styled in sharp, elegant waves, carrying my leather portfolio. Beside me sat Marcus Vance.
At the head of the long marble table sat Victoria Brooks, flanked by her board allies. Ryan sat in the corner as a guest investor, looking triumphant.
"Ah, Miss Carter," Victoria purred smoothly, resting her manicured hands on the table. "Thank you for joining us. I'll keep this brief. Due to recent... public scandals regarding your emotional instability and personal character, the board has voted to terminate Carter Design Studio’s contract."
A few weak nods came from the corrupt board members she had bought off.
"The project will be handed over to Brooks Architectural Holdings immediately," Victoria added with a smirk. "You are dismissed."
I didn't panic. I didn't cry.
I took a seat at the foot of the table, opened my portfolio, and pulled out a thick set of blue-stamped documents.
"That's very interesting, Victoria," I said calmly. "Except for one minor detail."
Victoria frowned. "What detail?"
"You don't own the land," I replied.
The boardroom went silent.
Marcus Vance stood up, opening his laptop and projecting a deed history onto the wall screen.
"Three days ago," Marcus explained to the stunned board members, "the Vance Estate acquired ninety percent of the land rights beneath the Civic Art Center through a historical maritime land grant previously held by David Carter's family trust. Miss Emily Carter is the sole managing partner of that land trust."
Victoria’s jaw dropped. "What?!"
"Furthermore," I said, leaning forward across the table, fixing Victoria with a glare that made her shrink back. "The blue-prints for the structural foundation are copyrighted under my personal patent. If you fire my firm, you cannot legally use my designs. And if you attempt to build on my land without my approval, I will have heavy machinery on this site by 5:00 PM to demolish the foundation."
"You wouldn't dare!" Ryan shouted, jumping out of his chair. "That would destroy Brooks Capital's entire investment!"
"Try me, Ryan," I said, my voice cold as steel. "I watched you stand silent while your mother destroyed my daughter's heart. You think I care about your stock portfolio?"
The remaining board members panicked instantly.
"Victoria! Is this true?!" the city representative shouted. "If this project stalls, the city loses millions!"
"We need to reinstate her!" another board member yelled. "Vote again! Vote again right now!"
Within ten minutes, the board voted unanimously to strip Victoria Brooks of her chairmanship and sign an exclusive, uncancelable contract with Carter Design Studio.
As the meeting adjourned in total chaos, Victoria stood frozen at the head of the table, her prestige ruined, her authority shattered.
May you like
I walked past her, pausing at her elbow.
"This is just the foundation, Victoria," I whispered into her ear. "Wait until you see the rest of the house come down."
