Chapter 4

Charles staggered back.

His knees buckled—not because anyone pushed him, but from sheer shock.

All three hundred people in the room watched as the blood drained from his face, leaving him ghostly pale. The stage lights caught the sweat on his forehead, making it shine for all to see.

Alex stood in the middle of the aisle, holding up the notarized document, cool and composed, like he was just giving another business report.

"Let me make this crystal clear for everyone here," he said, setting the document down and straightening his cuffs. "Every single data system Carter Holdings uses—client databases,…