The next morning, William drove to Croft Enterprises with a singular focus. He had to manage the narrative. He had to explain the “Bigamy Scandal” to the shareholders before the stock crashed.
He strode into the lobby, ignoring the shouting reporters. He walked to the private elevator and pressed his thumb to the scanner.
*ACCESS DENIED.*
William frowned. He tried again. Red light.
“There must be a glitch,” he muttered, taking the stairs two at a time up to the executive suite. He burst through the glass doors of the CEO’s office.
“Why is my security clearance down?” William shouted.
The chair behind the massive desk swiveled around. Malcolm Fotheringham was sitting there, feet up on the mahogany, holding a crystal tumbler of scotch.
“It’s not a glitch, William,” Malcolm said, his smile mirroring the one Arthur Sterling used to wear. “It’s a recall.”
“Get out of my chair, Malcolm. I’m the CEO.”
“Not anymore,” Malcolm replied, sliding a folder across the desk. “The Board met an hour ago. Given your… complicated marital status, the custody battle, and the erratic behavior you’ve displayed all season, they voted ‘No Confidence.’ They appointed an interim CEO. Someone with the Croft blood, but without the Croft drama.”
Malcolm stood up, smoothing his suit–the suit of the “Seed” who had finally taken root.
“You’re compromised, brother,” Malcolm whispered, the port-wine stain on his neck visible as he leaned in. “I’m taking over.”
William stood frozen as security guards–men he had hired–stepped forward to escort him out of his own building. The Twin claimed the throne.