My Boss's Hidden Heir (Elara and Marcus) novel Chapter 203

Chapter 203

Marcus’s POV

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Marcus’s phone had been ringing nonstop since the SEC investigation story broke. Investors, board members, business partners, all demanding answers he didn’t have.

He sat in his home office at 6 AM, three hours before the emergency board meeting he’d called, trying to make sense of how this had happened so fast.

The allegations were specific. Too specific to be random. Someone had fed the SEC detailed information about transactions dating back five years, complete with account numbers and transfer dates that matched real deals Marcus had made.

Legitimate deals. Nothing illegal or even questionable. But the way the information was presented made everything look suspicious.

Dante appeared in the doorway holding his laptop. “I’ve been going through the tip that triggered the investigation. It came from an anonymous email sent to three different SEC investigators simultaneously.”

“Can you trace it?”

“Already did. Routed through seven different proxy servers across four countries. Whoever sent it knows what they’re doing.”

Marcus rubbed his eyes, exhaustion making everything feel surreal. “What exactly are they accusing me of?”

“Securities fraud, insider trading, market manipulation. The email claims you used non–public information to make trades that benefited Thorne Industries at the expense of smaller investors.”

“That’s insane. Every trade I’ve made has been reviewed by lawyers and compliance officers.”

“I know. But the SEC has to investigate anyway. Even baseless accusations require a response.”

Elara walked in with coffee, looking as tired as Marcus felt. The twins had been up half the night, both of them fussy and clingy since the kidnapping. She’d finally gotten them down around 4 AM.

“The board meeting is at nine,” she said. “Do you know what you’re going to tell them?”

“The truth. That this is a targeted attack designed to destroy my reputation and tank the company’s stock price.”

“Will they believe you?”

Marcus didn’t answer because he honestly didn’t know. Some board members were loyal, had been with Thorne Industries for decades. But others were new, brought in by investors who cared more about quarterly returns than family legacy.

Richard called at 7 AM. “I’m coming to the board meeting.”

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Chapter 203

“Dad, you’re retired. You don’t need to be involved in this.”

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“My name is still on that company. And more importantly, you’re my son. I’m not letting you face this alone.”

Marcus felt something tighten in his chest. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Some of these board members are vultures. They’ve been waiting for an excuse to push you out and bring in their own CEO. This SEC investigation gives them ammunition.”

“Let them try. I built this company into what it is today.”

“And they’ll argue that makes you too emotionally invested to lead objectively. Just be prepared for a fight.”

The drive to Thorne Industries felt like heading to an execution. Elara came with him, insisting she wasn’t letting him do this alone. Dante rode in the back, still working on his laptop trying to find anything useful.

The boardroom was packed when they arrived. Twelve board members, plus lawyers, plus several major investors who’d demanded to be present. All of them looking at Marcus like he’d personally stolen from their pockets.

“Let’s get started,” Marcus said, taking his seat at the head of the table. “I’m sure you’ve all seen the news.”

James Chen, one of the newer board members, spoke first. “We’ve seen it and we’re concerned. These are serious allegations, Marcus. The SEC doesn’t investigate without cause.”

“The SEC investigates whenever someone files a credible–looking complaint. That doesn’t mean the complaint has merit.”

“But it does mean we need to protect the company. Our stock dropped twelve percent this morning. Investors are pulling out. We need damage control.”

“I’m aware. That’s why I’ve already retained the best securities lawyers in the city. They’re reviewing every transaction mentioned in the complaint and preparing our response.”

Victoria Ross, who’d been on the board since Marcus’s father founded the company, leaned forward. “Marcus, do you have any idea who might have filed this complaint? Any enemies who would want to see you destroyed?”

Marcus thought about Julius dying in a hospital bed, smiling as he talked about bigger branches. “I have several ideas but nothing concrete yet.”

“That’s not good enough,” James said. “We need answers. The board needs to know if there’s any truth to these allegations.”

“There isn’t. Every deal I’ve made has been legal and properly documented.”

“Then why is the SEC investigating?”

“Because someone is orchestrating a smear campaign designed to destroy my credibility and tank our stock price. This isn’t about securities fraud. It’s about revenge.”

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Chapter 203

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The room erupted with questions. Who wanted revenge? What had Marcus done? How long had this been going on?

Richard stood up and the room went quiet. “I’ve known Marcus his entire life. Watched him build this company from the ground up after I handed him the reins. He’s made mistakes, we all have. But he’s not a criminal and he’s not stupid enough to risk everything with illegal trades.”

“With all due respect, Richard, you’re biased,” James said. “He’s your son.”

“And you’re biased toward protecting your investment portfolio. But the difference is I actually know Marcus’s character. You just know his quarterly reports.”

Dante’s phone buzzed and he looked at the screen, his expression darkening. He leaned over to whisper in Marcus’s ear. “We have a problem. Someone just leaked internal company emails to the press. They’re being published right now.”

Marcus pulled out his phone and saw the headlines already forming.

EXCLUSIVE: Internal Thorne Industries Emails Suggest CEO Knew About Questionable Deals

Marcus Thorne’s Own Words Contradict His Claims of Innocence

He opened the article and saw emails he’d actually written, pulled completely out of context to make innocent conversations look incriminating.

An email about timing a stock purchase to maximize returns became evidence of insider trading. A discussion about market trends became proof of manipulation. Everything twisted to fit a narrative of corruption.

“This is a coordinated attack,” Marcus said aloud. “Someone has access to our internal systems and is releasing information strategically to maximize damage.”

“Or,” James said quietly, “the information is being released because it’s true and someone with a conscience decided to blow the whistle.”

Marcus stood up so fast his chair fell backward. “Are you calling me a liar?”

“I’m saying the evidence is piling up and we need to consider all possibilities.”

“The possibility you should be considering is that we have a mole. Someone inside this company feeding information to our enemies.”

Victoria raised her hand. “Marcus, sit down. Losing your temper won’t help.”

He sat, forcing himself to breathe. Elara’s hand found his under the table and squeezed.

The board spent the next hour debating options. Hiring an independent investigator. Suspending Marcus pending the SEC investigation. Bringing in an interim CEO. Every suggestion felt like a knife in Marcus’s

back.

Finally, Richard had enough. “This board seems to have forgotten that Marcus owns forty–two percent of this

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Chapter 202

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“Where’s the fun in that? You want answers, you’re going to have to work for them. Just like I had to work to take your children.”

Elara felt rage boiling in her chest. “This is a game to you. Even now, dying in a hospital bed, you’re still playing games.”

“Of course I am. Because even if I die, I still win. The plan continues without me. Phase two is already in motion and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.”

“What the fuck is even a phase two?”

Julius laughed, the sound wet and painful. “You’ll find out soon enough. But here’s what you need to understand. The kidnapping was meant to break you emotionally. Phase two is about destroying everything else. Your company, your reputation, your family legacy. By the time they’re done with you, Marcus, you’ll wish I’d just killed you on that boat.”

Marcus leaned over the bed, his voice low and dangerous. “Give me names. Tell me who you’re working with.”

“Why would I do that? So you can prepare? So you can fight back? That defeats the entire purpose.”

“You’re dying. What do you have to gain by protecting them?”

“The satisfaction of knowing I played my part perfectly. That even in death I contributed to your destruction.” Julius coughed again, harder this time. Blood appeared at the corner of his mouth. “You only cut one branch from the tree, Marcus. There are bigger branches. Stronger branches. And they’re all coming for you.”

A nurse rushed in, alerted by the machines that Julius’s vitals were dropping. “You need to leave. Now.”

Marcus didn’t move. “Not until he tells us who he’s working with.”

“Sir, if you don’t leave I’ll call security.”

Elara pulled Marcus toward the door. “This is a waste of time, he called us here to humiliate us. He’s not going to tell us anything. Let’s go.”

They stepped into the hallway while doctors and nurses flooded Julius’s room. Through the window Elara could see them working on him, trying to stabilize whatever was failing.

Detective Rivera appeared beside them. “Did he give you anything useful?”

“Cryptic warnings about bigger threats and phase two,” Marcus said bitterly. “Nothing concrete.”

“We’re still working on decrypting the messages we found in his apartment. And we’re investigating everyone connected to Julius and Aurora’s family, looking for potential partners.”

“How long will that take?”

“As long as it takes. In the meantime, I’d suggest increasing security around your family. If Julius is telling the truth about phase two, you need to be prepared.”

Elara watched through the window as the medical team continued working on Julius. He looked small and

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