"Large shareholder, huh? A janitor?
Come on, Otis. I don't have time for your jokes."
Otis did not answer immediately. She calmly opened her briefcase and took out a stack of papers, placing them in front of everyone.
Her voice was soft but carried undeniable authority. "This is the certificate of my 51% ownership, signed by your father, Thomas Sterling, in 1988.
I am the co-founder of Sterling Corporation with your father, and all of this is legally documented. I'm sure you can recognize your father's signature."
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became as taut as a string. A few board members hurriedly picked up the documents, their faces shifting from skepticism to shock.
Ryan snatched the papers, his eyes scanning each line angrily. But the more he read, the paler his face became.
"No, this can't be," Ryan muttered, his voice faltering in disbelief.
Otis continued, her tone calm but firm. "Your father and I agreed that I would remain in the background to avoid the prejudices of that time.
But today, when I see Sterling Corporation preparing to lay off 400 innocent employees to protect the personal interests of a few greedy shareholders, I can no longer remain silent."
Logan Matthews, still skeptical, interrupted. "Even if these papers are real, why did you wait until now to show up?
This is highly suspicious."
Otis looked straight into Logan's eyes, her gaze sharp, making him fall silent. "I waited because I once trusted that Ryan would inherit the legacy and values that his father left behind.
But clearly, I was wrong."
"Ryan and people like you have turned Sterling Corporation into a profit-making tool at any cost, disregarding the survival of the vulnerable. I can't let that continue."
Ryan shot to his feet, his eyes bloodshot, his voice a furious growl. "You have no right to lecture me.
You're just a worthless janitor."