He turned to look directly at Eleanor, his eyes cold and unyielding.
"A company's culture starts from the top. If the leadership is arrogant, prejudiced, and quick to judge based on superficial biases, the company rots from the inside out. I had a firsthand experience of this company's leadership culture this morning in the parking garage."
The board members exchanged confused and worried glances.
"Eleanor," Marcus said, his voice dangerously quiet. "As the majority shareholder, my first motion is a vote of no confidence in your leadership. Vanguard Holdings votes to remove you from the position of CEO, effective immediately."
"You can't do this!" Eleanor shrieked, slamming her hands on the table. "My father built this company! You're just doing this because of what happened downstairs!"
"I am doing this because you lack the judgment, temperament, and vision required to lead," Marcus replied smoothly. "The incident this morning merely confirmed what my financial analysts already told me. You are a liability."
Because Vanguard held 51% of the voting power, the motion passed instantly.
"Security is waiting outside," Marcus stated, not breaking eye contact. "They will escort you to your office to collect your personal belongings, and then they will escort you off the premises."
Eleanor looked around the table, but her board members—people she had known for years—looked away. They knew she was defeated. Trembling with rage and humiliation, she stood up and walked out of the boardroom, her legacy dismantled in less than an hour by the very man she had tried to have arrested.