Chapter 54 - The Last Meeting of the Sovereign CouncilThe emergency Council meeting began at nine o'clock.
Sabine Keller stood at the head of an enormous conference table inside the Geneva headquarters.
Twelve remaining trustees occupied the surrounding seats.
Elias appeared on a secure video screen from New York, accompanied by independent counsel.
His expression was controlled.
Sabine addressed the room.
"Julian Vance's American operation is finished. His daughter has attempted to compromise our financial interests. Our immediate responsibility is to preserve the remaining assets."
One trustee raised his hand.
"Are the restructuring signatures genuine?"
Sabine smiled.
"They were certified."
"That wasn't my question."
Her smile tightened.
Elias spoke.
"The documents contain a forged acknowledgment attributed to Claire."
Several trustees began whispering.
Sabine turned toward the screen.
"Elias, you're mistaken."
"No."
He placed a certified copy of the original continuity order before the camera.
"This is what I signed. It authorized essential payroll and limited operational expenses. Nothing more."
A second document appeared on the trustees' screens.
"This is what your office submitted afterward."
Silence.
Sabine folded her hands.
"The Council's counsel approved the filing."
"Then that counsel will have to explain why the attachment was never sent to my independent lawyer."
One trustee leaned forward.
"If the American authorization is invalid, the transfer to Vesper Clearing cannot proceed."
Sabine's face hardened.
"Without that transfer, several operating businesses will default."
"Then petition the court for legitimate emergency relief," Elias replied. "Don't steal my sister's signature."
Sabine stared at him.
"You're choosing her."
Elias looked directly into the camera.
"I'm choosing the truth."
For a brief moment, it seemed the balance of power had changed.
Then Sabine pressed a button.
A third document appeared.
An emergency succession resolution.
It proposed suspending Elias's command authority on grounds of conduct detrimental to the Council.
Several trustees shifted nervously.
Elias's attorney spoke immediately.
"That resolution has no authority over assets currently subject to American court orders."
Sabine ignored him.
"I call for a vote."
One by one, the trustees raised their hands.
Eight in favor.
Three against.
One abstention.
Sabine smiled triumphantly.
"Elias Vance, your command is suspended."
The meeting dissolved into frightened conversations.
Elias did not move.
Instead, he looked directly at Sabine.
"Then I suppose I can finally stop pretending I ever wanted the position."
He disconnected.
In Manhattan, Claire stood beside him as the screen went dark.
"Are you all right?" she asked.
Elias let out a long breath.
"For the first time, I think I might be."
Gabriel entered quickly.
"Sabine has accelerated the disputed transfer. The receiving banks are requesting a ruling within forty-eight hours."
Claire looked at her brother.
The Council had stripped him of the only identity he had ever known.
But neither of them appeared frightened.
"Good," Claire said.
Elias looked puzzled.
"Good?"
"Now she has to defend her documents in front of people she doesn't control."
May you like
Claire picked up the legal file containing their mother's trust instructions.
"Let's give her a hearing she won't forget."
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