One Screenshot to Burn an Empire Chapter 07

One Screenshot to Burn an Empire Chapter 07

Leaving Julian’s office, I didn’t head to my own long-vacant Underboss’s

suite.

I went straight to the main conference room.

Pushing the door open, I spoke to the bewildered assistant who trailed me:

“Notify the tech department. Emergency online sit-down in one hour. Here. Get the equipment ready.”

“Also,” I added, “get me a black coffee. No sugar, no milk.”

“Yes, Boss,” the assistant replied instinctively, then caught herself.

It had been a long time since anyone had called me that. After the family stabilized, most people had switched to “Donna Aurelia.” “Boss” was a relic from the early days, used by the old guard who fought alongside us to build this empire.

That title represented the trust of comrades and absolute authority.

The assistant snapped to attention and nodded. “Right away, Boss.”

I walked into the conference room. The massive floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the Chicago skyline.

Once, I had stood here with Julian, pointing at the tallest building across the way, vowing that one day, the Griffin flag would fly there.

Now, we had achieved it.

But between us, only calculations and conflict remained.

I took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in my heart.

This was no time for sentimentality.

The war had started, and I had to win.

I took out my phone, ignoring the flood of unread messages, and opened my

contacts.

I found a name: Silas Kane.

Silas was the family’s Consigliere and my father’s closest friend.

When Julian and I founded the family, our first round of seed money came

from him.

His position in the family was sacrosanct; he was the most senior elder

besides Julian and me.

In a family meeting, his vote carried immense weight.

I dialed his number.

“Hello, Silas.”

“Aurelia,” Silas’s gentle voice came through. “I was just about to call you. I’ve heard what’s happening.”

“Silas, I need your support,” I said, getting straight to the point.

The line was silent for a few seconds.

“Aurelia, what’s really going on between you and Julian? I watched you two build everything.”

“It’s a long story, Silas. But please believe me, every decision I’m making is for the good of the family.” My voice was calm and firm. “Julian’s current state makes him unfit to lead. He’s been blinded by a woman.”

“This Cassia?”

“Yes.”

“Sigh,” Silas sighed. “Julian is a good man in every respect, but he can be too sentimental, too soft-hearted. What do you plan to do, Aurelia?”

“I’m calling an emergency sit-down to propose he temporarily step down, with me as acting Don.”

“…And what are your chances?” Silas asked the crucial question.

On the family council, besides Julian, Silas, and myself, there were four other core Capos.

Julian held 42% of the shares, and I held 30%.

Together, we had absolute control.

But now, we were adversaries.

The remaining 28% was divided among Silas and the other four.

To oust Julian, I needed at least 22% of the votes on top of my own.

That meant I had to have Silas and at least two of the other four members on my side.

“I don’t have a hundred percent certainty,” I admitted. “But I have to do this?

“Silas, this family is our child. I can’t watch it be destroyed by a woman with an agenda.”

“Moreover, this scandal is already hitting our bottom line.”

I sent him a screenshot of the day’s territory and operations loss report.

In just one day, the family had already lost three major fronts and shipments.

That was the power of reputation.

“I understand,” Silas’s voice turned serious. “Aurelia, do what you must. You have my vote.”

“Thank you, Silas,” A warmth spread through my chest.

“However,” Silas’s tone shifted, “the other members are businessmen. They value profit above all else. You must present enough evidence to prove Julian’s actions have severely damaged the family’s interests, and that you are capable of stabilizing the situation and doing better.”

“I know.”

After hanging up, I immediately dialed a second number.

Sloane.

“Sloane, I need a favor.”

“Name it.”

“I need a full background check on Cassia Shaw, Julian’s assistant. I want everything-from birth until now. The more detailed, the better. Especially her family, education, social connections, and financials.”

“No problem,” Sloane agreed instantly. “Leave it to me. But what for? Are you suspecting…”

“Yes.” My gaze sharpened.

“An ordinary assistant doesn’t have this much nerve, or this kind of

meticulous planning.”

“The security system just happens to fail, the PR statement is flawless, even the timing of her faint was perfect.””

“There has to be someone behind her, guiding her.”

“I suspect this is more than just a sordid affair.”

“This might be a precision strike aimed at the Griffin family, a mole planted by a rival syndicate.”