Chapter 4 - The Boardroom Trap
"Don't you ever speak to her like that again," William hissed into Julian's ear, his voice vibration shaking the wood paneling.
Julian gasped for air, his eyes wide with sudden terror. "William... let go of me! This is assault! I'll call the police!"
"The police are already waiting downstairs," William replied, tossing Julian backward into the room like a piece of trash. "But arresting you right now would be too easy. You'd post bail in an hour using stolen corporate funds."
Julian adjusted his collar, his face flushed red with rage. "You have no proof that holds up in a court of law! A blurry video of an ATM? A legal pharmacy delay? Good luck proving intent, dear cousin. My legal team will tie you up in court for five years!"
"I don't need five years," William said coldly. "Because tomorrow morning at nine o'clock, the annual shareholder meeting takes place at Parker Tower. You think you're going to use your proxy votes to remove me from the board, don't you?"
Julian smiled wickedly, regaining his posture. "I know I am. I hold forty-nine percent of the voting stock through my investment syndicates. Without Martha’s advisory shares to tip the balance, you are one percent short of a majority, William. Tomorrow morning, Parker Global Holdings becomes my empire."
"Then I will see you in the boardroom, Julian," William said, pointing toward the door. "Now get out before I throw you out of this window."
Julian straightened his suit, offered a mock bow to Emma, and walked out of the suite, his cane clicking arrogantly against the tile floor.
Emma ran over to William, her eyes filled with worry. "Mr. Parker... what does he mean? Is he going to take your company?"
William knelt down beside her, gently wiping a smudge of dust from her cheek. "Emma, a company is just glass, steel, and paper. What makes a true empire is the people inside it."
Just then, the double doors of the ICU hallway opened, and Dr. Harrison walked out, pulling off his surgical mask. He looked exhausted, but a warm smile was visible on his tired face.
"Mr. Parker? Emma?" Dr. Harrison called out.
Emma ran forward, her heart in her throat. "Doctor! How is she?"
"The bypass was a complete success," Dr. Harrison announced. "Her heart was severely weakened by malnutrition and lack of medication, but we successfully cleared the blockage and inserted two stents. She is awake, stable, and asking for her grandchildren."
Emma let out a loud sob of pure relief, dropping to her knees on the floor. William immediately knelt beside her, pulling her and baby Noah into a firm, protective embrace.
"She’s going to be okay, Emma," William whispered, his eyes shining with rare tears. "She’s going to be okay."
Ten minutes later, Emma walked quietly into the recovery room.
Martha lay in the large, comfortable bed, connected to heart monitors that beeped with a strong, steady rhythm. Color had returned to her face, and her soft blue eyes sparkled as she saw her children walk through the door.
"Emma... my sweet girl..." Martha breathed, reaching out her arm.
Emma rushed to the bedside, carefully placing Noah in Martha’s arm while laying her own head against her grandmother's shoulder. "Nana... I was so scared... I didn't know what to do..."
"You did everything, my darling," Martha whispered, stroking Emma’s hair. "I heard the doctors talking... you walked miles across the city... you carried Noah..."
Martha looked up at William, who stood at the foot of the bed.
"William Parker," Martha said softly. "Look at how tall you've grown."
William stepped forward, dropping to one knee beside the hospital bed, holding the elderly teacher's frail hand with the deepest reverence. "I owe everything I am to you, Martha. Thirty years ago, you told me that no matter how dark the world gets, one light can scatter the shadows. You saved me then. Let me protect you now."
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Martha smiled weakly, then her face grew serious. "Julian came to see me two weeks ago, William. He tried to buy my trust shares. When I refused, I knew he would try something terrible."
"He thought you were weak, Martha," William said, his eyes blazing with quiet determination. "He thought poverty had stripped you of your power. But tomorrow morning, we are going to show him what true power looks like."
