The Memory Keeper: The Sin In Our Name

Chapter 28: Playing the King's Gambit

Lucan could feel the undercurrent of rebellion bubbling beneath their words. Each man had his own agenda, and it was clear they were uniting against him.

Kim's voice broke through the tense silence. "Mr. Stanton, if you cannot make a decision regarding these proposals, we'll have no choice but to escalate this matter to a vote. The board is prepared to make the necessary decisions with or without your agreement."

A murmur of approval rippled through the room, and Lucan's jaw tightened. He couldn't ignore the stark reality: although he held the largest individual stake in Stanton Corporation, the combined shares of Yuri, Kim, and Wilshire equaled his. Together, they could threaten his control.

Taking a deep breath, Lucan straightened his posture. His gaze swept the room, a subtle but deliberate show of authority. "A vote?" he repeated, his tone laced with quiet defiance. "Let me remind you all that I built this company. Every deal, every milestone-it was my leadership that got us here. If you think for a second that I'll let Stanton Corporation fall into the hands of opportunists with hidden agendas, you are gravely mistaken."

Yuri smirked. "Then make your decision, Mr. Stanton. Time is running out."

The tension in the room thickened as the meeting adjourned. The new board members left with smug expressions, their confidence unwavering, while the older members exchanged worried glances.

As the door closed behind the last person, Lucan remained rooted in place, his thoughts racing. He could feel the storm gathering, both within the corporation and beyond.

His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. A message from Harold appeared on the screen:

"We've uncovered something. It's bigger than we thought. Meet me ASAP."

Lucan's grip on the phone tightened. Trouble wasn't just in the boardroom-it was everywhere, and he was surrounded.

---

Lucan sat across from Harold in a dimly lit room at one of Stanton Corporation's private offices. The tension in the air mirrored the unease bubbling in Lucan's chest. Harold spread a series of documents and photos across the table, each one bearing details of the three new board members: Yuri, Kim, and Wilshire.

Harold began, his voice low but precise, "We've done some digging, just as you requested. And what I've found is... troubling, to say the least."

Lucan leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "Go on."

Harold tapped the table, drawing Lucan's attention to a flowchart connecting the names and corporations. "The three new board members-Yuri from Biolink Japan, Kim from Ashton Realty, and Wilshire from Alpha's UK-each invested in different sectors of your empire: healthcare, real estate, and restaurant chains. At first glance, it looks like a diverse portfolio of interests."

Lucan's eyes narrowed. "But?"

Harold's expression hardened. "But they're not independent investors. I connected the dots, and they're all operating under the same umbrella-a shell company called Solasta Holdings."

Lucan's brow furrowed, his voice dropping. "Solasta Holdings? Never heard of it. What's the connection?"

Harold hesitated before delivering the bombshell. "Solasta Holdings is powered by The Whitmore Group of Companies."

The name hit Lucan like a thunderbolt, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the edge of the table. "The Whitmore Group? The same Whitmore that's been trying to dismantle Stanton Corporation for decades?"

Harold nodded grimly. "Exactly. This isn't just a random power play, Lucan. The Whitmore Group-your mortal enemy-has found a way to infiltrate Stanton Corporation. And they're using Solasta Holdings as their shield. Through it, they've planted their operatives-Yuri, Kim, and Wilshire-right in the heart of your boardroom."