Chapter 7 - The Empire Strikes Back
The heartwarming family moment was violently interrupted by the buzzing of the television on the wall.
Breaking news flashed across the massive flat screen in terrifying, bold red letters.
"Scandal at Harrison Industries: Former Flame Attempts to Extort Billionaire Family."
My blood turned to absolute ice as Victor Harrison’s face appeared on the television screen.
He was standing in front of a podium, looking like a tragic, heartbroken grandfather for the cameras.
"My family is the victim of a sophisticated, cruel extortion plot," Victor lied smoothly to the reporters.
"A woman from my son's past has suddenly appeared, using innocent children as pawns to steal our company."
I felt my hands ball into tight fists, my fingernails digging painfully into my palms.
"He is trying to control the narrative," Marcus said, frantically typing on his tablet.
"He wants to destroy your public image before we can even get to the family courtroom."
Ethan stood up quickly, his face darkening into a terrifying mask of pure vengeance.
"He thinks he can still play chess, but he doesn't realize we just flipped the entire board," Ethan growled.
He looked at me, a dangerous, thrilling fire burning brightly in his eyes.
"Are you ready to show the world who Emma Vanguard really is?" Ethan asked, holding out his hand.
I looked at his outstretched hand, remembering all the times he had failed to catch me when I fell.
But the man standing in front of me now was not the weak boy who had bowed to his father’s demands.
This was a man who had ripped off his collar and was finally ready to fight for his family.
I placed my hand in his, feeling a powerful jolt of electricity shoot all the way up my arm.
"Marcus," I barked, transforming instantly into the ruthless CEO that had conquered the tech world.
"Call a press conference in the lobby of the Harrison Industries headquarters."
"Tell the media that Vanguard Innovations has just acquired a hostile fifty-one percent stake in Harrison Industries."
My lawyers erupted into a flurry of chaotic, excited movement, making frantic phone calls.
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Ethan smiled, looking at me like I was the most terrifying and magnificent creature on earth.
"Let's go fire my father," Ethan said smoothly.
