Chapter 2 - The Fall of Harlan Enterprises
Within twenty-four hours of the confrontation in the NICU, the business world of Portland was thrown into absolute chaos.
News of Russell Harlan’s cruel treatment of his recovering wife and newborn twins spread like wildfire. A mysterious, anonymous source had leaked security footage of Russell and Tessa entering the hospital room with divorce papers. The public outrage was immediate. On social media, hashtags demanding a boycott of Harlan Enterprises trended nationwide.
In his high-rise office, Russell paced frantically. The elegant decor of his room now felt like a gilded cage.
"How is this happening?!" Russell roared, slamming his fists onto his mahogany desk. "We were supposed to announce the merger with the Vance Group today! Why aren't they answering my calls?"
His CFO, a pale man named Marcus, trembled as he held a tablet. "Sir... the Vance Group just released a public statement. They are not only canceling the merger, but they are also launching a hostile takeover of our remaining shares. And there's more..."
"What?!"
"The lead investor of the Vance Group... the person who actually signs off on all major acquisitions... she just made her identity public." Marcus turned the tablet toward Russell.
On the screen was a live press conference. Standing at the podium, looking breathtakingly elegant in a tailored emerald suit, was Callie. Her pale skin radiated confidence, and her dark hair was swept back. She looked nothing like the exhausted, broken woman Russell had left in the hospital bed.
"Effective immediately," Callie’s voice rang out clearly through the speakers, "I am stepping in as the principal chairperson of the Vance Group. As my first official act, we will be liquidating all associations with Harlan Enterprises. Any business found partnering with Russell Harlan will be permanently blacklisted from our network."
Russell dropped back into his leather chair, his jaw slack. "She... she was the heiress to the Vance estate? But her records... she was an orphan! She had nothing!"
"She was protected, you idiot," Marcus muttered, losing his professional composure. "Her family hid her identity for her own safety. You married the most powerful heiress in New England, and you treated her like garbage."
Just then, the office doors flew open. Two police officers stepped inside, accompanied by a process server.
"Russell Harlan?" the lead officer asked. "You are being served with an emergency court injunction. Your personal and corporate accounts have been frozen pending a full forensic audit for embezzlement and asset hiding during divorce proceedings. You are also under a strict restraining order. You are not allowed within five hundred yards of Callie Vance or her children."
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Tessa, who had been sitting in the corner scrolling through hate comments about herself online, let out a shriek. "Frozen? What do you mean frozen? Russell, my credit card just got declined! Fix this!"
"Get out!" Russell screamed at her, his world collapsing around him. "Get out of my office!"
