Ex-Wife Seizes the Throne Novel

Chapter 6 The morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Sterling Capital's conference room, casting long shadows across the polished oak table where my executive team sat reviewing quarterly projections. The space hummed with focused energy-my carefully assembled team of former William-loyalists now working tirelessly for me instead. I was midway through analyzing our latest acquisition strategy when Sarah's voice crackled through the intercom. 'Natalie,' her tone carried a hint of barely suppressed satisfaction, 'William is here. He's...

insisting on seeing you.' A ripple of tension passed through the room. This was the confrontation we'd been anticipating for weeks. 'Send him up,' I replied calmly, though my heart hammered against my ribs. I smoothed my ivory silk blouse and stood. 'Let's take fifteen, everyone.' As my team filed out, I caught Sarah's eye. She gave me a slight nod-our silent signal that everything was in place. I positioned myself at the head of the table, back to the windows, the New York skyline spread behind me like a kingdom I'd claimed. The glass doors burst open with such force they nearly shattered.

William stood in the doorway, his once-immaculate appearance now noticeably disheveled-his tie askew, dark circles shadowing his eyes. The mighty William Sterling reduced to this desperate figure. The satisfaction I felt was almost physical. 'What the hell do you think you're doing?' His voice cracked with fury. I raised an eyebrow. 'Running a meeting until you interrupted. But please, come in.' He stalked toward me, stopping just short of invading my personal space. I could smell the faint scent of whiskey on his breath- morning drinking, a new low even for him.

'You've stolen my clients, poached my best people,' he hissed. 'The Hamptons deal was mine.' 'Was it?' I kept my voice cool, professional. 'The board seemed to think otherwise.' His face contorted. 'This is revenge. You're trying to destroy me because of Lily.' 'Lily?' I allowed myself a small smile. 'This has nothing to do with your assistant. This is business, William. Something you taught me well.' He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, and for the first time, I noticed the tremor in his fingers. William Sterling was afraid.

'I need your help,' he finally said, the words clearly painful for him to utter. 'My help?' I echoed, savoring each syllable. 'Thirty percent,' he said abruptly. 'I'm offering you thirty percent of Sterling Investments to come back. We can merge the companies, call it whatever you want.' I studied him for a long moment, watching the desperation bloom in his eyes. This man who had discarded me so easily now needed me to save him. 'Come with me,' I said, turning toward the adjoining conference room where Sarah had quietly assembled our board members- including his father, Arthur.

1/2 Chapter 6 William faltered when he entered, clearly not expecting an audience. The confidence that had once made him the undisputed king of any room was nowhere to be found. These people-many former colleagues-no longer hung on his every word. Their allegiance had shifted. 'William,' Arthur nodded coolly at his son. 'Good of you to join us.' 'What is this?' William demanded, his voice lacking its usual authority. I moved to the head of the table, feeling the weight of every eye upon me. This was the moment I'd been orchestrating for months.

'You've offered me thirty percent of your company,' I began, my voice steady. 'It's a generous offer, but unnecessary.' With deliberate slowness, I opened the leather portfolio before me and removed a stack of documents. The embossed gold seal of Sterling Investments gleamed under the recessed lighting. 'What are those?' William's voice had dropped to a whisper. 'Share certificates,' I replied, sliding them across the polished surface toward him. 'I already own forty-five percent of Sterling Investments.' The color drained from his face as he stared at the papers.

'That's impossible.' 'Is it?' I leaned forward slightly. 'You should have read our prenuptial agreement more carefully, William. It allowed me to invest in your company. And during our marriage, I did-through shell companies, through your parents' trust, through various investment vehicles you never bothered to scrutinize.' His hands shook as he rifled through the certificates. 'These are forgeries.' 'They're not,' Arthur interjected quietly. 'I helped her acquire some of them myself.' William's head snapped up, betrayal etched across his features.

'Dad?' 'You chose your path, son,' Arthur replied, his voice heavy with disappointment. I reclaimed the certificates, tucking them carefully back into my portfolio. 'So you see, William, I don't need thirty percent of your company. I already control it.' 2/2 Ruby Walker Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish.

Ruby's writing style is bold and irresistible-perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.