Chapter 6 - The Corporate Sabotage
By noon, the judge had granted temporary protective custody of both Sadie and Emma to Ethan Cole, pending a full criminal investigation into Derek Voss and Aethelgard.
But Derek was not willing to go down quietly.
That evening, a coordinated smear campaign exploded across major news networks. Headlines popped up everywhere: IS ETHAN COLE USING HIS FORTUNE TO BUY CHILDREN? COLECARE SYSTEMS FACES INVESTIGATION OVER ILLEGAL DATA ACCESS.
Boats of investors began calling Ethan’s phone nonstop. His company's stock price dropped four percent in two hours as rumors circulated that Ethan had used hospital software to track down the children for personal reasons.
Inside Ethan’s penthouse apartment, Victoria Cross looked at the falling stock ticker on her laptop.
“Ethan, this is getting ugly,” Victoria said, rubbing her temples. “The board of directors is panicking. They want you to step down as CEO until this scandal clears up. They’re offering to set up an independent trust for the kids if you just walk away from the custody fight.”
Ethan was standing in the living room, holding a bottle of warm milk while watching Sadie show Emma how to play with a wooden toy train on the carpet.
For thirty-eight years, Ethan had lived for his career. His company was his life, his identity, his pride.
He looked at the news report on the television, then down at the two little girls who were finally smiling after weeks of nightmare.
“Tell the board they can fire me if they want,” Ethan said without turning around.
Victoria blinked in shock. “Ethan... you built ColeCare from nothing. You’re talking about walking away from a three-billion-dollar empire.”
“I built a company,” Ethan said, his voice firm and absolute. “Claire Brooks saved it. And now I’m going to save her daughters. If the board wants my resignation, tell them my pen is ready.”
Sadie looked up from her toys, hearing his words. She walked over to Ethan, wrapping her small arms around his knee.
“Are you going to leave us?” she asked softly.
May you like
Ethan set the bottle down, crouched down, and scooped Sadie up into his arms, holding her close against his chest.
“Never,” Ethan whispered into her hair. “Not for all the money in the world.”
