Chapter 8 - The Betrayal Inside the Boardroom
Alexander Pierce voted against Christopher.
The boardroom fell silent.
Christopher looked at his brother across the polished table.
Alexander could not meet his eyes.
The motion passed.
Christopher was temporarily suspended as CEO pending investigation.
Estelle remained chair of the family trust committee.
Afterward, Christopher cornered Alexander in the hallway.
“How much does she own of you?”
Alexander flinched.
“Chris—”
“How much?”
“It's complicated.”
“No.”
Christopher stepped closer.
“It became simple when you voted.”
Alexander finally looked at him.
“I lost forty-three million dollars.”
Christopher stared.
Alexander continued.
“Mother covered it.”
“When?”
“Three years ago.”
Christopher understood.
Every vacation.
Every car.
Every confident smile.
Debt underneath all of it.
“She threatened you.”
Alexander's eyes filled with shame.
“She threatened to expose me.”
“So you helped her attack Emma?”
“No.”
“You voted to preserve her control.”
“I was trying to survive.”
Christopher stepped back.
May you like
“So was my daughter.”
Alexander had no answer.
