She reached for her bag, her hands trembling violently now.

“This meeting is over,” Patricia said, her voice cracking.

“It’s not over, Patricia,” Richard Sterling said, standing up.

He looked at the other board members, who all nodded in unison.

“We need to take a vote,” Sterling said.

“You cannot vote me out,” Patricia hissed, her eyes wild. “I built this company!”

“You ruined this company,” Harrison said, his voice quiet but filled with anger.

He stood up, facing his mother.

“I vote to strip Patricia Voss of all executive authority,” Harrison said.

“And I vote to accept Claire’s buyout offer,” he added.

“Harrison, how dare you,” Patricia gasped, her hand flying to her chest.

“I am saving what is left of our name, Mother,” Harrison said.

One by one, the other board members raised their hands in agreement.

“The motion passes,” Sterling said, his voice heavy.

Patricia stood frozen at the end of the table, looking at the people who had served her for decades.

She looked at Harrison, then at me.

“You will pay for this, Claire,” she whispered, her voice shaking with rage.