One Night Stand, Eight Surprises: Pampered by My CEO Husband --- - Chapter 73: Chapter 73
You are reading One Night Stand, Eight Surprises: Pampered by My CEO Husband ---, Chapter 73: Chapter 73. Read more chapters of One Night Stand, Eight Surprises: Pampered by My CEO Husband ---.
While Arielle combed Venice for clues, back home, the empire Damien built teetered on the edge.
The Laurent Corporation was a name synonymous with innovation, efficiency—and ruthless precision. But with Damien missing, vultures circled.
Boardrooms once guided by his clarity now echoed with suspicion.
And in the shadows, someone moved.
Jacques Renier, interim CFO, called an emergency meeting. Arielle, in Italy, was unreachable. The children were under protective care. Executives arrived tense, their eyes scanning every face.
At the head of the table sat Cyril Voss, an ambitious board member with a smile too polished and eyes too hollow.
“I believe,” he began smoothly, “in Damien’s absence, we need continuity. Strong, immediate leadership.”
Whispers followed.
“Do we have confirmation of his whereabouts?” someone asked.
“No. Which is precisely why decisive steps must be taken,” Cyril said, unfolding a leather folder.
He placed it on the table with calm theatricality.
A letter.
Signed.
Dated.
Appointing him as acting CEO.
Gasps rippled.
Jacques snatched the paper. His brows furrowed.
“This—this isn’t Damien’s signature. It’s similar, but—”
“I had it verified.” Cyril’s voice was ice. “By a third-party handwriting expert.”
One of the silent partners nodded. “We cannot halt operations. The company needs a figurehead. The press is already speculating abandonment.”
Jacques stood, voice rising. “Damien wouldn’t disappear. Something’s wrong. And we need to find out what.”
But doubt had already seeded.
Cyril smiled.
“Unless someone has a better plan, I suggest we vote.”
Meanwhile, the media storm raged.
Where Is Damien Laurent?
CEO’s Mysterious Exit Linked to Legal Pressure?
Abandoned or Strategically Missing?
The board’s silence made things worse. Shareholders panicked. Stocks wavered.
Employees watched the headlines more than their spreadsheets.
And Cyril made moves.
Subtle shifts.
Firing two of Damien’s closest advisors.
Canceling the Europe expansion deal.
Renaming internal policies.
Rebranding Laurent’s signature outreach program.
Everything that had Damien’s personal touch—faded.
But Arielle got wind of it.
At a dusty internet café in Venice, she opened her email. Multiple urgent subject lines blinked at her.
Board Acting Without You
Cyril Voss Claims Acting CEO Role
They Think He’s Dead
Her stomach twisted.
She clicked open the attachments.
The signature… was almost perfect.
But she knew Damien’s handwriting like she knew the rhythm of his heartbeat.
This wasn’t it.
She printed the document.
And called a number she had promised herself never to use again.
Étienne answered on the second ring.
“Arielle.”
She exhaled in relief. “I need you.”
There was a pause.
Then, “Where are you?”
She gave the address.
“Hold tight,” he said. “I’m bringing the storm.”
The Laurent Corporation was a name synonymous with innovation, efficiency—and ruthless precision. But with Damien missing, vultures circled.
Boardrooms once guided by his clarity now echoed with suspicion.
And in the shadows, someone moved.
Jacques Renier, interim CFO, called an emergency meeting. Arielle, in Italy, was unreachable. The children were under protective care. Executives arrived tense, their eyes scanning every face.
At the head of the table sat Cyril Voss, an ambitious board member with a smile too polished and eyes too hollow.
“I believe,” he began smoothly, “in Damien’s absence, we need continuity. Strong, immediate leadership.”
Whispers followed.
“Do we have confirmation of his whereabouts?” someone asked.
“No. Which is precisely why decisive steps must be taken,” Cyril said, unfolding a leather folder.
He placed it on the table with calm theatricality.
A letter.
Signed.
Dated.
Appointing him as acting CEO.
Gasps rippled.
Jacques snatched the paper. His brows furrowed.
“This—this isn’t Damien’s signature. It’s similar, but—”
“I had it verified.” Cyril’s voice was ice. “By a third-party handwriting expert.”
One of the silent partners nodded. “We cannot halt operations. The company needs a figurehead. The press is already speculating abandonment.”
Jacques stood, voice rising. “Damien wouldn’t disappear. Something’s wrong. And we need to find out what.”
But doubt had already seeded.
Cyril smiled.
“Unless someone has a better plan, I suggest we vote.”
Meanwhile, the media storm raged.
Where Is Damien Laurent?
CEO’s Mysterious Exit Linked to Legal Pressure?
Abandoned or Strategically Missing?
The board’s silence made things worse. Shareholders panicked. Stocks wavered.
Employees watched the headlines more than their spreadsheets.
And Cyril made moves.
Subtle shifts.
Firing two of Damien’s closest advisors.
Canceling the Europe expansion deal.
Renaming internal policies.
Rebranding Laurent’s signature outreach program.
Everything that had Damien’s personal touch—faded.
But Arielle got wind of it.
At a dusty internet café in Venice, she opened her email. Multiple urgent subject lines blinked at her.
Board Acting Without You
Cyril Voss Claims Acting CEO Role
They Think He’s Dead
Her stomach twisted.
She clicked open the attachments.
The signature… was almost perfect.
But she knew Damien’s handwriting like she knew the rhythm of his heartbeat.
This wasn’t it.
She printed the document.
And called a number she had promised herself never to use again.
Étienne answered on the second ring.
“Arielle.”
She exhaled in relief. “I need you.”
There was a pause.
Then, “Where are you?”
She gave the address.
“Hold tight,” he said. “I’m bringing the storm.”
End of One Night Stand, Eight Surprises: Pampered by My CEO Husband --- Chapter 73. Continue reading Chapter 74 or return to One Night Stand, Eight Surprises: Pampered by My CEO Husband --- book page.