I turned back to the microphone.
“As controlling shareholder, I am calling for the permanent removal of Ethan Hayes as CEO, the restoration of the Whitmore name to our corporate structure, and a full independent audit of every executive action taken during the past five years.”
Harold called for the vote.
It was not close.
When the result appeared on the screen, Ethan closed his eyes.
Removed.
Effective immediately.
The ballroom erupted—not in celebration, but in the stunned roar of people realizing they had just witnessed an empire changing hands in real time.
Ethan shoved past his attorney and approached the podium.
For one brief moment, I thought he might apologize.
Instead, he leaned close and whispered, “You planned this from the beginning.”
I held his gaze.
“No, Ethan. I prepared for it. There’s a difference.”
His face twisted with anger.
Security stepped forward.
And this time, he was the one escorted out beneath the cameras.
While I was the one who remained.
