“Effective immediately, Foran Holding Group suspends all pending logistics integrations with Vance Global and freezes discretionary credit expansion until a full review is complete.”
One director inhaled sharply.
Another closed his folder.
Christian said nothing.
Scarlett continued. “All proxy voting privileges currently controlled by the Vale family partnership are revoked under the conduct and exposure clauses already contained in the agreements.”
Meredith stared at her.
“No.”
Her voice was barely audible.
Scarlett looked at Christian.
“You will vacate the executive office on the seventy-fifth floor by midnight.”
Christian lifted his eyes.
Meredith gasped.
Scarlett’s tone remained calm. “A forensic audit of operational accounts, foundation expenditures, hospitality budgets, and executive discretionary funds begins tomorrow morning at eight.”
Christian swallowed.
“Yes, Chairman.”
Meredith grabbed his arm.
“You can’t agree to that!”
Christian slowly removed her hand.
She stared at him as if he had struck her.
“Christian?”
He looked at the cream on Scarlett’s dress.
Then at the executives watching him.
Then back at Meredith.
His face had gone beyond anger into exhaustion.
“How many times did you use my company accounts?”
Meredith recoiled. “What?”
“For dresses. Travel. Private dinners. Your charity committees. This gala.”
She shook her head quickly. “Those were approved.”
“By whom?”
She said nothing.
Christian’s jaw tightened.
Scarlett watched the realization settle over him.
This was the second collapse of the evening.
The first had been Meredith discovering Scarlett’s identity.
The second was Christian discovering that Scarlett’s presence had exposed something he had avoided examining in his own house.
Meredith turned desperate.
“You’re choosing her over me?”
Christian answered quietly. “You made this choice when you decided everyone beneath you was disposable.”
Meredith’s eyes flashed.
For one last moment, pride tried to rescue her.
She pointed at Scarlett. “She came here dressed like that intentionally. She wanted someone to make a mistake.”
Scarlett’s expression finally hardened.
“I came dressed for dinner.”
Meredith fell silent.
Scarlett stepped closer.
“You keep returning to clothing because that is the only language of power you understand.”
Meredith’s shoulders trembled.
Scarlett’s voice lowered.
“Real authority does not disappear when the diamonds come off.”
No one moved.
Christian turned toward security.
“Escort Meredith from the premises.”
Meredith’s head snapped toward him. “Christian.”
He looked away.
“Your personal belongings will be collected from the residence and delivered to an address of your choosing.”
Her face crumpled.
“You’re throwing me out?”
“I’m ending access to company property.”
She stared at him, tears sliding down her makeup.
Then she looked at Scarlett.
“Please.”
It was the first honest word she had spoken all night.
Scarlett held her gaze.
Meredith took another step, but the security team moved between them—not touching her, simply creating a firm barrier.
Meredith’s voice broke. “I made one mistake.”
