Chapter 3 - THE BILLIONAIRE IN THE AFFORDABLE DRESS
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Daniel passed Richard without stopping.
He came directly to my side.
“Ms. Hayes,” he stated politely, “the ownership confirmation and emergency resolutions have been prepared.”
The entire ballroom became silent.
Richard frowned in confusion.
“Ms. Hayes?”
Daniel set a document on the nearby table.
“Victoria Hayes is Whitmore Global’s sole beneficial owner through Hayes Capital Holdings.”
Patricia gave an uneasy laugh.
“That cannot possibly be true.”
I faced her calmly.
“Why? Because I’m not wearing expensive jewelry?”
Richard examined the ownership records.
His hands began shaking slightly.
Daniel proceeded.
“Mr. Whitmore, you are being placed on administrative leave effective immediately. Your transaction approval privileges have been withdrawn, and an independent forensic accounting examination is currently underway.”
# “You have no authority!” Richard protested.
“Actually, I do,” I answered. “And those decisions are already effective.”
Brandon moved closer.
“My father helped build this company!”
“No,” I replied. “Your father carried a respected surname and received an opportunity from executives who trusted his professional background. Unfortunately, he repaid that confidence by treating employees without basic respect.”
I opened a second folder.
“Three employees submitted complaints after raising concerns about questionable invoices. Two subsequently lost their positions. Another felt pressured into resigning.”
Richard’s confidence visibly faded.
“Those employees weren’t qualified!”
“One was a single father receiving chemotherapy,” I responded. “His employment ended eleven days after he submitted a request for medical leave.”
Even Patricia fell quiet.
“That dismissal remains under formal review,” Daniel explained. “Relevant financial documentation has also been secured for the investigators.”
Richard looked around the ballroom anxiously.
“You’re destroying my good name!”
I maintained eye contact.
“Your conduct created these consequences.”
Suddenly, Patricia walked toward me.
“Victoria, darling, surely this can be handled discreetly. After all, we’re about to become family.”
I recalled how she had excluded me earlier.
“You made your definition of family perfectly clear tonight.”
Brandon faced Emily angrily.
“Make your sister stop this!”
Tears gathered in Emily’s eyes.
“Victoria, please. You’re taking away my future.”
Hearing those words was painful.
Still, I slowly shook my head.
“Emily, I never selected Brandon as your partner. I haven’t taken company funds, intimidated employees, or treated anyone disrespectfully this evening.”
Brandon took Emily’s hand.
“Come on. We should leave.”
She gently withdrew her hand.
“Were you aware of those invoices?” she asked quietly.
He remained silent.
Emily carefully slipped off her engagement ring.
“Please answer my question.”
Brandon glanced toward his father.
May you like
His silence told her enough.
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