The Imposter in the Boardroom Chapter 1

I was about to start the board meeting when the new intern sat at the head of the table.

She told me I was unqualified to be CEO and demanded I step down.

She claimed that as a woman, I was only good for a political marriage, not for inheriting the family empire.

She also announced she was pregnant with my father's son, and that everything in the company belonged to her unborn child.

A shareholder stood up, furious. "Security! Drag this crazy woman out!"

But she calmly displayed a family photo on the big screen.

In the photo, she was wearing a wedding dress, my father's arm around her, standing behind my grandparents.

Then she accused the shareholder and me of having an affair, claiming we had imprisoned my father just to embezzle the company's assets.

I rushed up and slapped her across the face. She immediately video-called my father to complain.

My father roared through the phone, calling me unfilial for hitting my stepmother and demanding I kneel and apologize.

I was stunned. My father died in a plane crash five years ago. I identified the body myself.

* * *

"Chloe Vance, your father wants me to take over as CEO."

Jessica Miller crossed her legs, twirling her hair while speaking in a provocative tone:

"Since you're a daughter, you're only useful for marriage alliances, not for inheriting the business."

"Now that I'm carrying your father's son—the only male heir of the Vance family—your father said the company is mine to manage."

Listening to this absurdity, I couldn't help but ask:

"My father died five years ago. Did you not do any research before coming here to cause trouble?"

Five years ago, my father went on a business trip abroad and died in a plane crash.

When I arrived, all that was left was a charred body.

Though I couldn't believe it, I had to accept the facts.

I watched him being pushed into the crematorium. I buried him with my own hands.

Five years later, someone claims to be pregnant with his child?

How is that possible?

Even if it were his, has she been pregnant for five years?

Everyone in the conference room looked at Jessica with disbelief.

New employees whispered in the corners, but most people looked at her like she was insane.

The accident was huge news back then. Every major media outlet reported it.

The company's management knew clearly about my father's death.

If I hadn't taken over back then, Vance Corp would have been eaten alive by competitors.

Uncle Zhang, my father's former partner, couldn't help but speak up:

"I saw Robert's body. It was burned beyond recognition. I helped his niece handle the funeral. How could he have a child with you?"

My assistant, sensing the mood, stepped forward to ask Jessica to leave.

Suddenly, she stood up, lifted her shirt to reveal a baby bump, and pointed righteously at the assistant.

"I'm pregnant! You can't touch me!"

Everyone froze.

No one dared to use force on a pregnant woman.

I looked at Jessica coldly and said:

"My father has been dead for five years. Everyone here knows it. I don't care whose child you're carrying, but it's impossible to be my father's."

"If you don't leave, I'm calling the police!"

Jessica sneered. "Tch. That's just your side of the story. Who here attended your father's funeral?"

"I'm here today to get justice for your father!"

As soon as she said this, whispers started, and people looked at me with suspicion.

I was angry but helpless.

Recovering my father's body from the crash site had taken days.

Because of the delay and condition of the body, the funeral was very simple, known only to the closest family members.

A memorial service was held three years later.

"Speechless, right?" Jessica looked at me triumphantly.

"Do you have evidence that it's my father's child?" I asked curiously.

"Hmph, I knew you wouldn't cry until you saw the coffin. This is the disownment letter your father wrote!"

Jessica slammed a document on the table.

I picked it up immediately, wanting to end this farce.

But when I saw the signature, my mind went blank.

It was my father's handwriting, stamped with his personal seal.

But my father has definitely been dead for five years. What is going on?