Vanessa's POV
Ten pairs of eyes watched me walk into the boardroom at exactly 9:00 AM.
I'd barely slept. Maya had helped me pick out a black power suit from the trash bags—one of the few professional pieces Marcus hadn't stolen. My eyes were swollen from crying, but I'd covered it with makeup. I needed to look strong.
Even if I was falling apart inside.
The board sat around the massive conference table like judges at a trial. My trial. Uncle David sat at the head of the table in the chairman's seat. My seat. The one I'd earned.
He smiled at me. Actually smiled.
Vanessa. Thank you for coming.
Did I have a choice? My voice came out steadier than I felt.
Please, sit. He gestured to the empty chair at the opposite end of the table. The furthest seat from power. From respect.
I sat, gripping my hands together under the table to stop them from shaking.
Let's get started, David said, opening a folder in front of him. We've called this emergency meeting to address serious allegations regarding Ms. Chen's conduct as CEO of Chen Technologies.
Allegations from my ex-fiancé who just stole my company and my cousin, I said. You can't seriously believe
We have evidence, David interrupted. He slid a stack of papers across the table. Emails. Financial records. Testimony from multiple employees. All proving that you systematically stole Marcus Reeves' intellectual property and passed it off as your own.
I grabbed the papers, my heart pounding. The emails looked real—my name, my signature, messages about borrowing Marcus's code and making sure he doesn't find out.
But I'd never written them. Never sent them. Never even thought them.
These are fake, I said. Someone created these to frame me.
Board member Harrison Chen, no relation—shook his head. The forensic analysis confirms they came from your email account.
Then someone hacked my account! David, you know me. I built this company from nothing. Every algorithm, every patent
Every patent that Marcus claims he created, David said smoothly. We also have testimony from former employees stating they witnessed you taking credit for his work repeatedly.
What employees? Let me face them!
They've requested anonymity for fear of retaliation. David's voice was so reasonable, so calm. Like he was discussing the weather instead of destroying my life.
I looked around the table, searching for allies. Margaret Wong, my first investor, wouldn't meet my eyes. Neither would James Park or Susan Rodriguez—people I'd known for years.
Only two people looked uncomfortable: Thomas Kim and Rachel Martinez. The two who'd voted against removing me.
This is a setup, I said desperately. David, please. Why are you doing this?
His eyes went cold. I'm protecting this company from a fraudulent CEO. Nothing more.
He was lying. I could see it in his face—the satisfaction, the vindication. This was personal.
But I didn't know why.
I'd like to call a vote, David announced. All in favor of removing Vanessa Chen as CEO of Chen Technologies, effective immediately?
Wait! I stood up. I have rights. The bylaws require a full investigation before—
The bylaws allow for immediate removal in cases of fraud or criminal activity, David interrupted. We have sufficient evidence to proceed. All in favor?
Eight hands went up.
Thomas and Rachel kept theirs down, but it didn't matter. Eight to two. I'd lost.
Motion passes, David said. Vanessa Chen is hereby removed as CEO. Security will escort you from the building. You have one hour to surrender all company property—keys, access cards, computers, files. Any attempt to access company systems after that will be treated as corporate espionage.
The words hit me like bullets. One after another. Destroying everything.
The conference room door opened. Two security guards walked in. The same ones who'd escorted me out of the gala last night.
No. I backed away from the table. You can't do this. This company is mine. I built it. I bled for it.
You stole it, David said quietly. And now you're paying the price.
Something inside me snapped. Not broke—snapped.
I walked to the head of the table where David sat. Every board member tensed, probably thinking I'd lose control. Hit him. Scream.
Instead, I leaned down until my face was inches from his.
I don't know what game you're playing, I said, my voice deadly calm. But I will figure it out. And when I do, I will destroy you.
David's smile never wavered. You can't destroy what you can't reach, Vanessa. And you're nobody now. Just a failed CEO with a fraud accusation following her everywhere.
I straightened up and turned to face the rest of the board.
You'll regret this, I said clearly. Every single one of you. Because when the truth comes out—and it will—you'll realize you destroyed an innocent woman based on lies. And I'll remember exactly who stood by and let it happen.
Margaret Wong flinched. Good.
I walked out with my head high, the security guards flanking me like I was a criminal. They escorted me to my office—my beautiful corner office with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
Marcus was already there, sitting at my desk.
Get out, I said.
Actually, this is my office now. He leaned back in my chair. The board just named me interim CEO. Funny how things work out.
I wanted to scream. To flip the desk. To make him hurt the way he'd hurt me.
Instead, I grabbed the one thing that mattered—the framed photo of my mother from my desk drawer. The one personal item Marcus couldn't take.
Enjoy it while it lasts, I said. Because I'm coming for you.
Marcus laughed. With what? You have nothing. No company, no money, no credibility. You're finished, Vanessa.
The security guards led me out. Through the office where my employees—my team—watched with pity or judgment or fear. Into the elevator. Down to the lobby.
The moment I stepped outside, reporters swarmed.
Ms. Chen! How does it feel to lose everything?
Did you really steal Marcus Reeves' code?
Are you facing criminal charges?
What do you have to say to your investors?
I pushed through the crowd, cameras flashing, microphones shoved in my face. Someone grabbed my arm. Someone else stepped on my foot. The questions kept coming, louder and meaner.
How does it feel to be exposed as a fraud?
Will you apologize to Marcus Reeves?
Do you have any shame?
I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. Couldn't
A black car pulled up to the curb. Expensive. Sleek. Tinted windows.
The back window rolled down just enough for me to see a man's face. Strong jawline. Dark hair. Cold eyes that somehow looked concerned.
Get in, he said. Unless you want to be tomorrow's headline.
I didn't recognize him. Had no idea who he was or what he wanted.
But the reporters were closing in. Cameras everywhere. Questions like weapons.
I reached for the car door handle.
Don't, Maya's voice cut through the chaos. She'd appeared from nowhere, grabbing my other arm. Vanessa, you don't know who that is!
The man in the car spoke again. Your uncle David Chen used to work for me. And if you want to know why he just destroyed your life, you'll get in this car. Right now.
My hand froze on the door handle.
David worked for this man? This was connected to whatever revenge plan David had mentioned in that video?
Who are you? I demanded.
The man's cold eyes met mine. Someone who knows exactly what David Chen does to people. Because he did it to me first.
Behind me, the reporters were getting louder. More aggressive. Someone yanked my jacket.
Maya squeezed my arm. Lyn, please. This could be dangerous.
The man checked his watch. You have five seconds to decide. Then I'm gone and you're on your own.
Vanessa, don't
Four seconds.
I looked at Maya. At the reporters. At the Chen Technologies building where I'd just lost everything.
Three seconds.
What did I have to lose? I was already destroyed.
Two seconds.
I pulled open the car door and slid inside.
Maya called after me, but the car was already moving, cutting through the crowd of reporters like a knife.
I turned to face the stranger who'd just saved me—or kidnapped me.
Who are you? I asked again.
He extended his hand. Jake Morrison. And I think we have a common enemy.
My blood turned to ice.
Jake Morrison. The billionaire real estate mogul. The man who'd destroyed my $50 million deal three years ago and cost me everything.
I'd just gotten into a car with the person I hated most in the world.