My Father Fired Me From Our Empire, But Forgot Who Actually Controlled It

The Blackmail

The drive to the Vance Enterprises headquarters was a blur of neon lights and racing thoughts. The emergency protocol was a legal fail-safe written into the company's foundation by Natalie’s late mother, Eleanor. It was designed to freeze all executive authority and suspend the Chairman immediately upon the discovery of severe financial irregularities. By the time Natalie pulled into the corporate parking lot, her phone was ringing incessantly with desperate calls from Arthur. She ignored them all.

But when she stepped into the sleek glass lobby of the headquarters, she found her path blocked. Arthur, Victoria, and Claire were already there, flanked by two high-priced corporate attorneys. Arthur’s face was pale, his previous rage replaced by a desperate, calculating malice.

"You think you can ruin me, Natalie?"

Arthur hissed, stepping close enough that his breath hissed against her ear.

"You think you can just lock me out of my own kingdom?"

"It’s not your kingdom anymore, Dad,"

Natalie replied, her voice steady despite the adrenaline pounding in her veins.

"The board is waiting upstairs. They’ve already seen the offshore transaction records."

Arthur smiled, a sickening, triumphant expression that made Natalie’s stomach turn.

"If you walk into that boardroom, I will release the files,"

he whispered.

"The real files about your mother’s fatal car accident ten years ago. I have proof she was driving under the influence, and that she intentionally ran the car off the road. I will destroy her legacy, her charity, and her memory. She will be remembered as a monster, and so will you."

Natalie froze, the air leaving her lungs. Victoria stepped forward, offering a poisonous smile.

"Just sign the voluntary resignation, darling,"

Victoria purred.

"Protect your mother's name. It's the only way."

Natalie looked at the elevator doors, her heart torn between the truth and the memory of the mother she adored.