Chapter 6 - Vincent's Shield
Within forty-eight hours, Emma’s entire reality was overturned. Leo had been admitted to a premier pediatric pulmonary wing under the personal care of the department head, his room filled with games and comfortable furniture. Emma herself was moved into a spacious guest suite in the east wing of the Moretti mansion.
Yet, safety within the mansion’s walls did not mean peace.
On Thursday morning, Emma accompanied Vincent and Isabella to the downtown offices of Moretti Holdings for an emergency board meeting. While Isabella rested in the executive suite under guard, Emma stood near the back of the glass-walled boardroom, observing the predators gathered around the long mahogany table.
Arthur Sterling was there. Victoria’s father looked like a cornered beast, his face flushed red with rage as he stared down Vincent.
“You’re cutting our ties over a spat between young girls?” Arthur boomed, slamming his heavy fist onto the table. “Forty years of partnership, Moretti! My family helped your father build this empire!”
“Your daughter assaulted my mother in front of two hundred people,” Vincent replied smoothly, never raising his voice as he flipped through a leather portfolio. “And your logistics arm was caught siphoning eleven million dollars through phantom dummy corporations in Panama over the last quarter.”
The room went dead silent. Arthur’s face drained of all color.
“Where did you... That’s an outright lie!” Arthur sputtered.
“The audit was finalized two hours ago,” Vincent said coldly, sliding a thick folder across the glass table. “Turn yourself over to the federal authorities by noon, Arthur, or I release these files to the SEC and the Department of Justice myself.”
Arthur glared around the room, but none of the other board members dared meet his eyes. Desperate and venomous, Arthur’s gaze landed on Emma, who was standing quietly near the door.
“It’s her, isn’t it?” Arthur snarled, sneering viciously. “The little charity case you dragged out of the slums. Victoria told me. You’re parading this common gutter rat around to insult us! What did she do to earn your favor, Vincent? Warm your bed?”
Before Emma could even process the vile insult, the sound of wood scraping violence cut through the air.
Vincent had risen so fast his executive chair slammed violently against the rear glass window. In two strides, he crossed the room, grabbed Arthur Sterling by his silk necktie, and hoisted the older man half out of his seat.
“Speak about her again,” Vincent whispered, every muscle in his jaw clenched with lethal fury, “and I won't wait for the feds. I will destroy every asset, every property, and every name associated with your bloodline before the sun sets.”
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The entire boardroom held its breath. Emma stared in shock. The cold, untouchable billionaire was practically vibrating with raw, protective fury—and it was entirely on her behalf.
***
