Chapter 6 - The Summit
The Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco was electric.
Over five thousand venture capitalists, tech founders, media journalists, and industry leaders packed into the grand exhibition hall for the opening day of the TechCrunch Founder Summit. Giant digital banners hung from the high ceilings, flashing the event's headline: THE FUTURE OF INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL: NEXUS MIND KEYNOTE AT 10:30 AM.
Cameras flashed everywhere. Television crews from CNBC and Bloomberg set up live broadcast booths near the main stage entrance.
At 9:30 AM, a black Lincoln Navigator pulled up to the VIP entrance.
Connor Sterling stepped out onto the red carpet, wearing a sharp charcoal suit without a tie, oozing casual billionaire confidence. Beside him, Lexi Montgomery looked stunning in a white designer dress, her hand resting prominently on Connor's arm so every camera could catch the flash of her engagement ring.
"Connor! Over here!" a reporter shouted, pushing a microphone forward. "Is it true that Montgomery Capital is leading a fifty-million-dollar valuation today?"
Connor paused, flashing his signature, million-dollar televised smile. "We don't comment on unannounced valuation figures, but I will say this: Nexus Mind isn't just a company. It's a paradigm shift. Today, we show the world what happens when true founder vision meets unprecedented execution."
"What's the secret to your success, Mr. Sterling?" another journalist asked.
Connor pulled Lexi closer, kissing her cheek for the cameras. "Surrounding yourself with excellence, loyalty, and passion. You have to cut away the dead weight in your life if you want to reach the stars."
Lexi giggled softly, leaning her head on his shoulder as the cameras snapped frantically.
They walked inside the VIP holding lounge, where Richard Montgomery—a tall, stern man with silver hair and a sharp tailored suit—was waiting with three senior partners from Montgomery Capital.
"Connor! My boy!" Richard declared booming, stepping forward to shake Connor's hand with a heavy, warm grip. "The crowd in the main auditorium is already overflowing. The energy in that room is insane. Every major press outlet is waiting for your presentation."
"Thank you, Richard," Connor said modestly, taking a flute of sparkling water from a passing waiter. "I couldn't have asked for a better partner than Montgomery Capital for our Series-A."
"We're thrilled, Connor," Richard grinned, looking at his daughter with pride. "Lexi tells me you two picked out a house in Atherton?"
"We put the deposit down on Monday," Connor bragged smoothly, completely ignoring the fact that the wire transfer had been executed using stolen corporate funds. "We should be closing right after the funding round clears next week."
At 9:55 AM, the summit coordinator stepped into the VIP green room. "Mr. Sterling, five minutes until board entrance and stage walk-through. We need you in the back stage holding area."
"Right on time," Connor said, straightening his suit jacket. He kissed Lexi passionately. "Front row seat for you, my love."
"Go break the world, baby," Lexi whispered excitedly.
While Connor, Lexi, and Richard Montgomery walked toward the main auditorium hall, a sleek black Maybach pulled into the private underground loading dock of the Moscone Center.
The rear door opened.
I stepped out onto the polished concrete floor.
I wore an ankle-length, blood-red silk gown designed by an Italian fashion house. The dress was structured, elegant, and regal, completely masking the surgical bandages beneath. My dark hair was swept up into a flawless, sophisticated chignon, and around my neck hung a simple, breathtaking diamond choker—a piece bought with my own private capital years ago.
Beside me stepped Victoria Vance, carrying two leather briefcases, followed by four broad-shouldered security officers wearing dark suits and discrete earpieces.
David Chen was waiting near the VIP freight elevator.
"Everything is set, Eleanor," David said quietly, holding the elevator door open. "The independent board members just entered the private VIP lounge behind the main stage. Connor believes he's meeting them for a quick pre-speech photograph."
I stepped into the elevator, my heels clicking against the metal floor with a sharp, rhythmic sound that echoed like a drumbeat.
"Does he know we're in the building?" I asked, looking at my reflection in the polished brass wall of the elevator.
"He has no idea," David smiled softly. "He thinks you're still on your knees in Westridge."
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I closed my eyes for a brief second, taking a long, slow breath. The pain in my abdomen was gone, replaced by a crystalline, unshakeable focus.
"Let's go take our company back."
