I looked at Vanessa. “Congratulations.”
She blinked, disappointed that I hadn’t shattered.
Celeste leaned toward me. “Try to leave with dignity, dear. Adrian has outgrown you.”
That finally made me smile.
I stood, pulled out my phone, and called one number.
“Daniel,” I said when my family attorney answered. “Execute the voting consent. Terminate the CEO. Freeze executive privileges. Seize control of my estate and repossess every vehicle owned by Ashcroft Holdings currently assigned to Adrian or his family.”
Celeste burst out laughing.
Marcus nearly choked on his wine. “She’s lost her mind.”
Adrian stepped down from the stage, grinning. “You can’t fire me, Eleanor.”
I slipped my phone back into my clutch.
“No,” I said softly. “But the person who owns sixty-eight percent of the voting shares can.”
For the first time that night, Adrian stopped smiling.
He recovered quickly.
Adrian laughed so loudly that nearby guests joined in, relieved to believe it was all a joke. “You own sixty-eight percent? Of my company?”
“Not your company.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes. “This is embarrassing.”
Adrian’s father, Richard, rose and pointed toward the doors. “Security should remove her.”
I watched the head of security hesitate.
That hesitation was the first crack.
“Mr. Vale,” he said carefully, “I’ve been instructed not to interfere with Mrs. Vale.”
Adrian’s expression tightened. “By whom?”
The man glanced at me. “Corporate counsel.”
A murmur spread across the ballroom.
