Chapter 17 - The Final Chess Match
The final confrontation with Arthur Vance took place at an emergency shareholder gala held in the grand ballroom of the city's premier hotel.
Influencers, global investors, and corporate elites filled the opulent room, sipping champagne under glittering crystal chandeliers.
Ethan stood near the back in a sharp obsidian suit, monitoring the digital security feeds alongside Sarah while Antoine prepared to take the main stage.
Suddenly, the grand double doors swung open, and Arthur Vance-an older, colder version of Victor with silver hair and predatory eyes-walked in flanked by hostile board members.
'Good evening, nephew,' Arthur announced loudly, his voice echoing across the ballroom as all attention shifted toward him.
Antoine turned calmly from the stage, stepping down to face his estranged uncle without a trace of fear.
'You're trespassing, Arthur,' Antoine stated coldly. 'Your hostile takeover bid was blocked by the SEC this morning.'
Arthur laughed darkly, waving a signed document in the air. 'Blocked? Not according to your primary voting bloc! I hold the majority shares through proxy agreements!'
Murmurs of shock rippled through the crowd of investors and journalists as flashbulbs blinded the room.
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Ethan watched from the sidelines, knowing that if Arthur won, everything Antoine built would be destroyed.
Step by step, Ethan walked out from the shadows toward the center stage, holding a sleek tablet in his hand.
