Chapter 7 - The Hostile Boardroom
Sawyer didn't flinch. He remained seated on the edge of the examination table, his expression hardening into absolute, glacial ice.
“Get out of my sight, Victor,” Sawyer said softly, the quiet deadliness in his tone making even the corporate security guards hesitate.
Victor laughed, stepping closer and dropping a thick stack of legal documents onto the tray table right beside the paternity report.
“You might want to read those before you start giving orders, Cousin,” Victor purred, using the familial title like a poisoned dagger. “While you were playing doctor at the hospital tonight, the Hale Technologies board of directors held an emergency session via secure video link.”
Sawyer’s eyes flicked to the top document. EMERGENCY PETITION FOR TEMPORARY CONSERVATORSHIP AND MEDICAL INCAPACITY REMOVAL.
“You filed a coup,” Sawyer stated, not a single tremor in his voice.
“I saved the company from a compromised, unstable executive,” Victor corrected smoothly, adjusting his lapels. “Furthermore, our legal team has already filed an emergency petition for wardship over those two street children you kidnapped from downtown. A paralyzed billionaire with no living spouse, no documented parental history with the minors, and a history of severe psychological trauma is legally unfit to raise children.”
The attorney stepped forward, opening his briefcase to reveal a court stamp. “The emergency injunction has already been signed by Judge Alistair. Child Protective Services is currently en route to take custody of Lila and June and place them in a state-approved foster facility pending a formal fitness hearing.”
Sawyer’s blood turned to liquid nitrogen.
Every instinct—every drop of billionaire power, corporate ruthlessness, and protective paternal fury—surged through his veins. The paralysis in his legs didn't matter. The IV in his hand didn't matter.
“You touch my daughters,” Sawyer whispered, sliding off the examination table and landing heavily in his wheelchair, “and I will personally dismantle every asset, account, and corporation bearing the Vance name until you are begging on the very same sidewalk where I found them.”
Victor’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, replaced by a flicker of genuine fear. But he recovered quickly, smoothing his coat.
“You can threaten me all you want from that chair, Sawyer. But by morning, those girls will be in state custody, the board will vote you out permanently as CEO, and your empire will belong to me.”
Victor turned on his heel and strode out of the room, his security guards trailing behind him like attack dogs.
Dr. Thorne stepped forward, looking gravely at Sawyer. “Sawyer... what are you going to do? Judge Alistair is notoriously corrupt. If CPS shows up—”
“They won't,” Sawyer interrupted, ripping the IV needle out of the back of his hand with a sharp pull, ignoring the drop of blood that welled on his skin.
He grabbed the hand-rims of his wheelchair, his muscles bunching with supernatural force.
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“Robert!” Sawyer shouted into his encrypted comm-link earpiece. “Get the girls out of the family lounge. Take the private freight elevator to the underground parking garage. Do not stop for anyone.”
“Copy that, Mr. Hale,” Robert’s voice crackled back, urgent and breathless. “CPS agents just entered the main lobby.”
