Chapter 3 - Shadows of the Past
By morning, news had leaked to the Denver press that Michael Hartman—the reclusive, grieving billionaire—had brought a street child into his multi-million-dollar estate.
When Michael arrived at the Hartman Mining headquarters downtown in a sharp charcoal suit, a swarm of reporters and news cameras met him at the entrance.
"Mr. Hartman! Is it true you've harbored an unregistered runaway child?!" a reporter yelled, shoving a microphone toward his face.
"Is this a publicity stunt to avoid the board's vote today, Michael?!" another shouted.
Michael ignored the shouting press, flanked by four broad-shouldered security guards as he pushed through the glass doors and rode the private elevator up to the 40th-floor boardroom.
The boardroom was packed with shareholders, corporate lawyers, and executive board members. Sitting at the head of the long glass table was Richard, wearing an expensive suit, a triumphant grin plastered across his face.
"Michael! How good of you to join us," Richard sneered, tossing a newspaper onto the table. The headline read: GRIEVING TYCOON PICKS UP STREET URCHIN IN PARK. "We were just discussing your... recent erratic behavior. First, you abandon your duties for six months. Now, you’re picking up street children in the middle of the night. You are unhinged, Michael. You're ruining Emily's legacy!"
Michael walked calmly to the head of the table, leaning his hands flat against the glass top, towering over his brother-in-law.
"You don't get to speak her name, Richard," Michael said, his voice quiet, calm, and terrifyingly steady. "You haven't spoken to Emily in five years—not since she refused to lend you money to pay off your gambling debts to Julian Vance."
Richard’s face drained of color. "That... that has nothing to do with this!"
"It has everything to do with this," Michael countered, signaling his chief legal counsel, who handed out thick folders to every board member. "Inside those files, you will find proof that Richard has been leaking internal Hartman Mining trade secrets to Apex Holdings in exchange for debt forgiveness from Julian Vance."
The board members gasped, frantically opening the folders and examining the bank records and encrypted email transcripts.
Richard slammed his fist on the table, standing up in a rage. "This is a setup! You’re insane! You’re unfit to run this company, and Child Protective Services is at your mansion right now with a court order to take that little brat away!"
Michael’s heart skipped a beat. "What did you say?"
"Julian Vance and CPS filed an emergency custody warrant two hours ago!" Richard laughed cruelly. "They know who the girl is, Michael! She’s the legal ward of the state, and Vance’s charity foundation manages her case file! She’s going to a juvenile facility in Utah by noon!"
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Without another word, Michael turned on his heel and sprinted out of the boardroom, leaving the chaotic meeting behind as he called his head of security on his cell phone.
"Marcus!" Michael yelled into the receiver as he ducked into his car. "Get to the mansion now! Don't let anyone touch Lily!"
