The CEO's Rejected Wife And Secret Heir novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Chapter 86: The Monroe Family Reckoning

Aria’s POV

Damien threw his body over mine, pushing me behind a pillar. Guards tackled other people to the ground. Vivian dove through the doors just as the package exploded.

Not a big explosion. More like a loud pop and a burst of red powder.

We all stood slowly, covered in red dust, ears ringing.

Not a bomb, it was a paint bomb.

And attached to the remains of the package was a note in large, bold letters:

BOOM. Next time it won’t be paint. Get comfortable, Aria. This is just the beginning. -M

I stood there, covered in red powder, shaking.

Marcus hadn’t just breached our security again. He’d done it in broad daylight, in front of dozens of witnesses, in one of the most secure buildings in the city.

He was showing us that nowhere was safe.

That he could get to us anywhere, anytime.

And next time, the bomb would be real.

Damien pulled me into his arms, both of us trembling.

"We end this," he said into my hair. "Soon, we end this once and for all."

I nodded against his chest, unable to speak because I knew he was right. Soon, we’d hunt down Marcus Blackwood and finish this nightmare.

But first, we had to survive tonight.

And as I looked at the red paint splattered across the pristine lobby, like blood, like a warning.

I wasn’t sure any of us would make it out of this alive.

One Week Later

The Monroe Global boardroom was packed. Every seat filled, executives whispering as tension filled the room. I stood at the head of the table, reviewing my notes one final time. Today wasn’t just another board meeting.

Today was judgment day.

"Let’s begin." I looked around the room. "First order of business—the acquisition of Monroe Industries’ remaining assets."

Murmurs rippled through the room. Monroe Industries—my parents’ failing company, the one I’d been sacrificed to save. The company that had once been worth millions was now a shell, and I’d been quietly buying up every piece of it.

The boardroom doors burst open.

My father strode in like he owned the place, Eleanor trailing behind him in her designer suit and pearls. Both looked immaculate, confident, entitled.

"Aria." Charles’s voice boomed across the room. "We need to talk about the Monroe Industries buyout."

"Mr. Monroe." I didn’t stand. "This is a private board meeting. You’re not on the board."

"That’s my company you’re discussing!" He slammed papers on the table. "I built Monroe Industries from the ground up!"

"And ran it into the ground just as thoroughly," I said calmly. "Which is why Monroe Global acquired it three weeks ago. As outlined in the purchase agreement you signed."

His face reddened. "You can’t just"

"Actually, I can." I gestured to my lawyer. "James, would you explain to Mr. Monroe the terms of the acquisition?"

James stood, adjusting his glasses. "Mr. Monroe, when Monroe Industries filed for bankruptcy protection, Monroe Global purchased all assets, intellectual property, and remaining contracts. As part of the agreement, you retained a small percentage of non-voting shares in the acquired entity."

"Those shares are worth millions!" Charles sputtered.

"On paper, yes." I smiled coldly. "In reality? They’re worth whatever the parent company—my company—decides they’re worth. Which, as of this morning’s restructuring, is nothing."

"You can’t do this"

"I already have." I nodded to James again. "Show him."

James pulled up documents on the screen. "Last week, Monroe Global restructured all acquired assets. The non-voting shares held by former Monroe Industries leadership carry no dividend rights, no liquidation preferences, and no conversion rights. They’re essentially ceremonial."

Charles’s face went from red to purple. "You conniving little"

"Careful." My voice went cold. "That’s your daughter you’re speaking to. Though you’ve never really treated me like one."

"Aria, please." Eleanor stepped forward, her mask of composure cracking. "Your father didn’t mean"

"Oh, he meant it." I stood now, commanding the room. "Just like he meant it when he forced me into a contract marriage to save Monroe Industries. Just like he meant it when he sided with Vivian. Just like he meant it when he threw me out pregnant with nothing."

Silence fell across the boardroom.

"But here’s what you don’t know, Charles." I pulled out my own documents. "For the past year, I’ve been quietly buying up all your personal debts. The mortgage on your house. Your country club membership. Your car loans. Your credit cards. Every single thing you owe money on."

His face went white. "What?"

"I own you." I slid the papers across the table. "Every asset you have is collateralized against debts I now hold. Which means with one signature, I can take everything."

"You wouldn’t"

"Wouldn’t I?" I leaned forward. "You took everything from me. My home, my family, my dignity. You threw me away like garbage. Now I’m returning the favor."

"Aria, please." Eleanor’s voice shook. "We’re your parents."

"No." I looked at her. "Parents love their children. Protect them. Support them. You used me as a bargaining chip and discarded me when I was no longer useful."

"We made mistakes"

"Mistakes?" I laughed bitterly. "Letting me go hungry would be a mistake. Forgetting my birthday would be a mistake. What you did was deliberate, calculated cruelty."

"We were trying to save the family business!" Charles protested.

"By sacrificing me?" I shook my head. "And now that family business belongs to Monroe Global. You have nothing left except the debts I own."

"Then take it all," Eleanor said desperately. "Take Monroe Industries. Just don’t take our home."

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