Chapter 9 - The Purge
The final board meeting was held a month later.
This time, there were no journalists. No cameras. Just the executive board, sitting in silence as I took my seat at the head of the table.
Julian was not present. He had officially resigned, terrified of the SEC threat hanging over his head. Richard Sterling had suffered a mild heart attack the week prior and stepped down as Chairman of the Board, citing "health reasons."
I looked around the room. The men who had ignored me at cocktail parties, who had dismissed me as a simple trophy wife, now looked at me with absolute reverence and fear.
"Let’s begin," I said, opening my folder. "Sterling Global has been mismanaged for a decade. The 'boys club' mentality ends today."
I spent the next two hours systematically dismantling Julian’s regime. I fired the executives who had covered up Richard’s shady dealings. I promoted women who had been trapped in middle management to VP positions. I ordered a complete restructuring of the company’s philanthropic arm, directing millions into domestic abuse shelters and women’s health clinics.
"One final piece of business," I announced, looking at the lead corporate attorney. "I am rebranding the company. The Sterling name is retired."
The attorney blinked. "What will the new name be, Ms. Navarro?"
I thought of Aunt Beatrice, the woman who had secretly held the power all those years, waiting for the right moment to pass the sword. I thought of my daughter, who would never have to grow up in the shadow of men who didn't value her.
"Navarro & Hazel Holdings," I said clearly.
The board nodded in unison. No one dared object.
As I walked out of the boardroom, Marcus fell into step beside me.
"Julian finalized the divorce papers this morning," Marcus informed me, handing me a sealed envelope. "He signed over full physical and legal custody of Hazel. He didn't even fight it."
I took the envelope. "Where is he?"
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"Living in a modest apartment in Queens. He’s consulting for a mid-level real estate firm. Valerie is currently under federal investigation for the embezzlement. They’re both ruined, Clara."
I nodded slowly, pressing the elevator button. "Good. Tell the legal team to prepare the launch party for the rebranding. We have a new empire to build."
