Chapter 4 - Stripped of Everything
The ballroom exploded into chaos.
Reporters scrambled to go live on social media. Ethan looked like he had been struck by lightning. His mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.
"Terminated?" Ethan finally managed to choke out. "You can't terminate me! I created the algorithm! I am the face of this company!"
"You created the algorithm using code developed by my software engineers," I said, stepping onto the main stage. I walked right past him to the podium. "And as for being the face of the company... faces can be replaced. Especially when they are attached to incompetent embezzlers."
Olivia stepped forward, her teeth grit. "How dare you! You're just jealous because Ethan chose me! You're trying to ruin him!"
I turned my gaze to Olivia. "Speaking of embezzlement..." I gestured toward her neck. "That Harry Winston necklace you are currently wearing was purchased on August 14th using the corporate expansion account. Fifty-two thousand dollars."
Olivia’s hand flew to her neck, her eyes wide with terror.
"Julian," I said smoothly, looking down at my brother. "Is grand larceny a bailable offense in the state of New York for amounts exceeding fifty thousand dollars?"
"It is, Claire," Julian replied with a cold smile. "Though given the clear paper trail, the bail will be substantial."
"Wait!" Ethan grabbed my arm. "Claire, stop! We can talk about this! You're mad about the divorce, I get it! I was harsh! But we're family!"
My father stepped onto the stage. The sheer physical presence of Marcus Bennett forced Ethan to let go of my arm instantly and stumble backward.
"You are not her family," Marcus said, his voice dropping like an anvil. "You were a parasite we tolerated because my daughter asked us to give you a chance. You failed that chance."
"Claire, please!" Ethan’s composure was completely shattered. He fell to his knees, grabbing at the hem of my dress. "Think about what we built! You loved me!"
"I loved the man I thought you were," I said, looking down at him without an ounce of pity. "The man who stood by me when we lost our children. But that man didn't exist. You left me in a hospital room so you could buy diamonds for your assistant."
I looked out at the security team at the back of the room.
"Sterling," I commanded. "Please escort Mr. Mercer and Miss Hayes out of the venue. And use the staff exit."
The crowd erupted in hushed whispers as six tall hotel security guards marched onto the stage. Ethan tried to fight them off, screaming about his lawyers, his IPO, and his rights. Olivia was sobbing hysterically, trying to unclasp the diamond necklace before the police arrived.
They were dragged down the very same aisle they had forced me to walk minutes prior.
I took the microphone back, looking directly into the primary news cameras capturing every second.
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"To our investors," I said calmly, my voice steady and commanding. "Mercer Logistics will proceed with its public offering next month under a new name: Bennett Dynamics. All financial obligations remain secure. Have a wonderful evening."
The applause that followed was deafening. But as I walked off the stage with my father and brothers, I knew this wasn't the end. Ethan was cornered, and a cornered rat always tries to bite back.
