Xavier sat at his desk, the folder Elena had delivered still open before him. Each page revealed a darker layer of Thomas's duplicity—shady financial deals, attempts to bribe key stakeholders, and correspondence with a rival company suggesting plans to dismantle Cole Enterprises from within. Xavier had always known his brother was ambitious and ruthless, but this level of betrayal surpassed even his worst expectations.
He picked up his phone and dialed Elizabeth's number. She answered almost immediately, her voice calm yet tinged with concern.
"Is everything okay?" she asked.
"Not entirely," Xavier replied, his tone serious. "But I've just been handed the ammunition I need to take Thomas down for good."
There was a pause on the other end before Elizabeth spoke again. "Are you sure it's enough? Thomas isn't the kind to back down easily."
"I know," Xavier admitted. "But this is bigger than just the two of us now. What he's been doing could destroy the company—and it's illegal. I can't let him get away with it."
Elizabeth's voice softened. "I trust you, Xavier. Whatever you decide to do, I'll support you."
Her words gave him strength. "I'm going to take this to the board tomorrow. It's time they see Thomas for who he really is."
The following morning, Xavier called for an emergency board meeting. The room buzzed with tension as the members filed in, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Thomas arrived last, his usual smirk firmly in place. He shot Xavier a mocking glance as he took his seat, clearly expecting another power play.
Xavier wasted no time. He stood, holding the folder in one hand as he addressed the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming on such short notice. What I'm about to share with you is of critical importance to the future of Cole Enterprises."
He opened the folder and began distributing copies of the evidence Elena had provided. As the board members read through the documents, a wave of shock and outrage swept through the room.
"This… this can't be real," one member muttered, her face pale.
"Unfortunately, it is," Xavier said, his voice steady. "This evidence details a series of illegal and unethical actions taken by my brother, Thomas Cole. These actions not only threaten the integrity of our company but also put us at risk of serious legal repercussions."
Thomas's smirk vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating glare. "This is a pathetic attempt to smear me," he said, his voice low and venomous. "You think you can pin this on me? You have no proof."
Xavier remained calm, pulling out another document. "Actually, I do. Here are recorded communications where you discuss bribing a board member and sabotaging a major deal. These aren't baseless accusations, Thomas. They're facts."
The room erupted into murmurs, and Thomas's composure began to crack. He stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "This is a setup! Xavier's trying to frame me because he can't handle competition!"
Xavier's gaze hardened. "This isn't about competition. It's about protecting this company from your greed and recklessness. You've crossed too many lines, and it's time for you to face the consequences."
Before Thomas could respond, one of the senior board members, Mr. Caldwell, spoke up. "Thomas, this evidence is damning. If even half of it is true, you've jeopardized everything we've built. I move for an immediate suspension of your position, pending further investigation."
Several other members nodded in agreement, and Thomas's face turned a deep shade of red. "You can't do this!" he shouted. "This company is as much mine as it is Xavier's!"
"Not anymore," Xavier said firmly. "You've proven you can't be trusted."
As the board voted unanimously to suspend Thomas, Xavier felt a sense of relief. It wasn't over yet—legal proceedings would follow, and the damage Thomas had caused would take time to repair. But for now, he had won a crucial battle.
That evening, Xavier returned home to find Elizabeth waiting for him in the living room. She stood as he walked in, her eyes searching his face for answers.
"How did it go?" she asked.
Xavier exhaled deeply, setting his briefcase down. "Thomas has been suspended. The board saw the evidence, and they couldn't ignore it. He's out of the company—for now, at least."
Elizabeth crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him. "You did the right thing, Xavier. It's what the company needed."
He held her close, the weight of the day finally settling on his shoulders. "It's not over yet. There's still so much to clean up, and I'm sure Thomas will try to retaliate in some way. But at least we've stopped him from causing more harm."
Elizabeth pulled back slightly, looking up at him with a small smile. "You're stronger than he is, Xavier. And you're not alone in this. We'll face whatever comes next together."
Her words were a balm to his weary soul. In that moment, he realized just how much he needed her—not just as a partner in this fight, but as the person who grounded him and gave him hope for the future.
Across town, Thomas sat alone in his penthouse apartment, a glass of whiskey in hand. His mind churned with rage and bitterness as he replayed the events of the day. He had underestimated Xavier—his brother had always been the golden child, the one who played by the rules. But now, Xavier had turned the tables, using Thomas's own tactics against him.
Thomas's phone buzzed on the table, and he picked it up to see a message from an unknown number.
"I hear you've had a rough day. If you're interested in getting even, let's talk."
Thomas's lips curved into a dangerous smile. He wasn't done fighting—not by a long shot. If Xavier thought this was over, he was sorely mistaken.