Episode 6
776 Words
"So does everyone who walks in here."
Before I could answer, two employees entered the lobby.
One stopped walking.
His eyes widened.
"Wait..."
"I know her."
Another frowned.
"Who?"
"That's Mattias Hart's ex-wife."
"The housewife?"
"The one who got divorced?"
Their whispers spread across the reception area like wildfire.
Within seconds, more employees were staring.
Some looked amused.
Others looked curious.
A few simply looked down on me.
"So she came back?"
"I heard she left with nothing."
"Why would she come here now?"
I ignored every word.
"I'm here for company business."
A cold voice interrupted.
"What business?"
The acting CEO stepped out of the executive elevator.
Several directors followed behind him.
His expensive suit and polished shoes couldn't hide the arrogance in his smile.
"Mrs... Summer."
"It's Mrs. Blackwood."
His smile twitched.
"My mistake."
There wasn't a trace of apology in his voice.
"What brings you here?"
"I'll be attending today's board meeting."
For a moment...
Silence.
Then laughter echoed across the lobby.
One director nearly doubled over.
"You?"
Another adjusted his glasses.
"Do you even know what a board meeting is?"
Someone behind them whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"Maybe she thinks this is still her husband's company."
Another voice followed.
"I heard she was only a housewife."
"I also heard she doesn't own anything."
The acting CEO folded his arms.
"Mrs. Blackwood, you've embarrassed yourself enough."
"I suggest you leave while you still have your dignity."
I met his gaze calmly.
"My dignity isn't the one in danger."
His smile faded.
"Excuse me?"
"If you're certain I have no connection to Hart Global..."
I took one slow step toward him.
"...why do you look so nervous?"
For the first time...
His confidence cracked.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
He turned sharply.
"Security."
Two guards approached immediately.
"Escort her outside."
Several employees quietly raised their phones.
Some wanted pictures.
Others wanted videos.
The scandal would spread across the business world within minutes.
One guard reached for my arm.
"I wouldn't do that."
The deep voice echoed through the lobby.
Every head turned toward the entrance.
The revolving doors opened once more.
Harden Blackwood walked inside.
His presence alone silenced the entire building.
Buckley followed behind him.
So did two lawyers carrying several thick files.
The acting CEO forced a smile.
"Mr. Blackwood... what a surprise."
Harden ignored him.
He walked directly toward me.
Without a word, he stood beside me.
His hand found mine.
Warm.
Steady.
Protective.
Only then did he look at the guards.
"My wife said she came here on business."
"If either of you lays another hand on her..."
"...you'll both lose your jobs before sunset."
The guards stepped back immediately.
The lobby became deathly quiet.
The acting CEO laughed awkwardly.
"There seems to be some misunderstanding."
"I agree," Harden replied.
Buckley handed him a thick folder.
Harden placed it on the reception desk.
"Let's correct it."
The acting CEO slowly opened the file.
His expression changed after reading the very first page.
His face turned pale.
His hands trembled.
Inside were the original shareholder records.
Summer Hale.
Legal Owner — Forty-Eight Percent of Hart Global.
Gasps filled the lobby.
Someone dropped a folder.
Another employee covered her mouth in shock.
"No..."
"That's impossible."
The acting CEO hurriedly turned another page.
His breathing became uneven.
The documents became worse.
Forged signatures.
Illegal board resolutions.
Unauthorized transfers.
Bank statements.
Hidden accounts.
Each page destroyed another lie.
Harden's voice remained calm.
"For five years, someone has been stealing from the rightful shareholder."
He looked directly at the acting CEO.
"Would you like to explain yourself..."
"...or shall we let the Economic Crimes Unit do it for you?"
The man's knees almost gave way.
"I... I..."
"You have one chance."
Sweat rolled down his forehead.
"I wasn't acting alone."
The entire lobby froze.
He looked around desperately before lowering his head.
"The orders came from someone above me."
My heartbeat pounded.
Someone above him?
Who?
Before anyone could ask another question, the boardroom doors burst open.
An elderly director rushed into the lobby, breathing heavily.
"Mr. Blackwood!"
Everyone turned toward him.
"The Chairman is missing."
"What?"
"He disappeared this morning..."
"...and before leaving
, he signed an emergency authorization."
The director looked directly at me.
"It transfers every remaining voting right..."
"...to the mysterious majority shareholder."
The entire lobby fell silent.
Forty-eight percent.
The remaining voting rights.
Whoever held them...
Would instantly control Hart Global.
I stared at the document in disbelief.
Someone had been moving pieces behind the scenes long before I returned.
And somehow...
I had just become the center of a corporate war I never knew existed.
- Writer
