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The tension in the room grew thicker as the door swung open, and Korbin Swann entered, his presence commanding immediate attention. His eyes quickly scanned the room, landing first on the pitiful figure of Johnathan writhing on the floor, then shifting to Catherine, standing poised and composed, holding the whip in her hand.
Johnathan, in between sobs, tried to find his voice. “Dad… Dad, look at what she did to me! She… she beat me in front of everyone! This is unacceptable!”
Korbin’s gaze remained cold and unreadable as he walked closer, stopping just in front of his son. For a long moment, no one spoke. Johnathan, still on the ground, was desperately hoping for his father’s support. But Korbin’s silence spoke volumes, his sharp eyes narrowing as he looked down at his son, then shifted to Catherine.
Catherine didn’t flinch under her father’s scrutiny. Her gaze met Korbin’s without hesitation, her posture unwavering. She remained silent, waiting for her father’s reaction, confident that she had made her point.
After a long pause, Korbin finally spoke, his voice low but carrying an undeniable authority. “Catherine, you may be the chairperson now, but you should know when to stop. This… spectacle isn’t necessary.”
Johnathan, hearing his father speak, felt a glimmer of hope. “Yes, Dad! This is beyond outrageous! She had no right to treat me like this!”
Korbin turned sharply towards Johnathan, his expression hardening. “Shut up, Johnathan,” he snapped. “You’ve embarrassed yourself enough today. You think you can walk in here, yell, and demand whatever you want without consequences? You’ve failed to understand the most basic rules of respect, not just for the company, but for the people around you.”
Johnathan’s face reddened with humiliation. His father had never spoken to him like that before. He opened his mouth to protest, but Korbin raised his hand, silencing him.
“I don’t care about your tantrum,” Korbin continued, his voice cold as ice. “Your behavior is a disgrace to the Swann name. And Catherine…” He turned to face her, his expression softening slightly. “I understand why you did what you did. But remember, it’s not always about what you can do, it’s about what you should do.”
Catherine’s gaze didn’t soften, but she nodded once, acknowledging her father’s words without offering an apology. “I’ll keep that in mind, Father,” she said, her tone steady and firm.
Korbin’s sharp eyes lingered on her for a moment before he turned back to Johnathan, who was still struggling to sit up, his face contorted with pain and humiliation. “You’ll stay out of the way from now on, Johnathan. No more disruptions. No more trying to manipulate or control things here.”
Johnathan could barely bring himself to respond. His body ached, and the weight of his father’s disappointment was heavier than any physical pain. “I… I understand,” he mumbled, his voice weak.
Korbin’s gaze hardened once more. “Good. Now, get up and leave. You’ve been dealt with.”
Johnathan, his pride shattered, struggled to his feet and stumbled out of the office without another word. The door slammed shut behind him, and the room was once again filled with an eerie silence.
Catherine turned towards Leonel and Linda, her expression still as calm as ever. “Let’s proceed. We have work to do.”
Leonel, having witnessed the entire exchange, gave a respectful nod. He had no doubt that Catherine was in complete control now. The events had unfolded exactly as she’d planned, and Johnathan’s outburst had only further cemented her authority.
Linda, who had remained quiet throughout the ordeal, finally spoke up. “Miss Swann, you handled that with grace and strength. But… what happens now?”
Catherine’s lips curled into a slight, knowing smile. “Now we move forward. The Swann Corporation is mine to lead, and anyone who thinks otherwise will learn their place, just as Johnathan did. We’re not here to babysit the entitled. We’re here to build a future.”
Leonel’s eyes gleamed with admiration. “A future built on your vision, Miss Swann.”
Catherine nodded, her focus sharp. “Exactly. And nothing—nothing—will stand in our way.”
The air was thick with anticipation. The game had changed, and the Swann Corporation was no longer in the hands of the spoiled heir, but under the steady, calculated rule of Catherine Swann.