Chapter 9: The New Hierarchy
On Monday morning, I didn't send an emissary to Vance Construction headquarters. I went myself.
I walked through the glass lobby doors at exactly 8:00 AM, accompanied by Marcus and two forensic auditors from my firm. The receptionist—who had known me since I was a teenager bringing my father lunch—stood up so fast she knocked her mouse off her desk.
"Good morning, Ms. Vance," she stammered.
"Good morning, Brenda," I smiled gently. "Please let the executive staff know that the 8:30 department head meeting will be held in the main boardroom."
When I entered the boardroom ten minutes later, the air was thick with tension. My father was sitting in a standard side chair, looking exhausted. Julian sat opposite him, wearing his most expensive suit, clearly trying to project an aura of indispensable authority.
I took the seat at the head of the table.
"Let’s keep this efficient," I began, opening my tablet. "As of Friday, Sterling Crest Capital owns eighty percent of Vance Construction. We are not here to liquidate; we are here to modernize and eliminate waste."
I looked directly at my brother.
"Julian," I said. "You currently hold the title of Executive Vice President of Business Development, with a base salary of one hundred and eighty thousand dollars, plus an expense account."
Julian straightened his tie, lifting his chin. "That's right. And I handle all our tier-one municipal client relationships, Elena. You need me here to maintain continuity."
"Marcus," I said without looking away from my brother. "Please read the audit findings on Julian's 'municipal relationships.'"
Marcus opened his ledger. "Over the past twenty-four months, Julian Vance has brought in exactly zero new commercial contracts. His corporate expense account shows forty-two thousand dollars in charges at luxury dining establishments, golf resorts, and personal travel—none of which correlate to an active project."
Julian’s face went crimson. "That’s networking! That’s how construction works!"
"That’s parasitism," I corrected. "Julian, your position as Executive Vice President is eliminated effective immediately. We are restructuring the sales division. If you wish to remain with the company, you may apply for the role of Junior Project Coordinator at a market salary of sixty-five thousand dollars, reporting directly to our new operations director."
"Sixty-five thousand?!" Julian exploded, slamming his hands on the table. "I have a mortgage! I have two car payments! I can't live on sixty-five thousand dollars!"
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"Then I suggest you update your résumé," I said coldly. "Your severance package is on your desk. You have until 5:00 PM to clear out your office or sign the new employment contract. The choice is yours."
Julian looked at our father, pleading for intervention. But Arthur Vance just stared down at his legal pad, completely silent, unable to save him anymore.
