Once the board approved her leadership proposal, she would have enough authority to complete the remaining transfers.
She believed everything was under control.
But she had overlooked one important detail.
Edward had never actually given up his controlling voting rights.
And the company constitution contained a clause that allowed him to suspend an executive's authority if evidence of serious financial misconduct emerged.
Victoria had signed that document herself.
She simply never expected Edward to use it.
CHAPTER 6: THE BOARDROOM
At two o'clock, the board members gathered in the company's main conference room.
The room was enormous.
A long wooden table occupied the center, surrounded by leather chairs. A large screen displayed the company logo.
Victoria arrived confidently.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
Several board members greeted her.
She took her usual seat.
Edward entered five minutes later.
He wore the same black suit from the previous evening.
Victoria glanced at him and smiled sarcastically.
"Good afternoon, Edward. I hope you're feeling better today."
Edward nodded.
"Thank you."
The chairman of the independent audit committee, Richard Coleman, stood.
"Let's begin."
Victoria opened her laptop.
"I've prepared a proposal outlining the company's future strategy."
Richard raised a hand.
"Before that, we need to address several financial matters."
Victoria frowned.
"Which matters?"
Richard pressed a button.
The screen changed.
A list of transactions appeared.
Victoria recognized them immediately.
Her stomach tightened.
"What's this?"
Richard answered calmly.
"An independent review of company expenditures over the previous eighteen months."
Victoria laughed nervously.
"That's unnecessary. The finance department already reviews those transactions."
"Unfortunately, the review identified several irregularities."
"Such as?"
Richard displayed another slide.
"Payments to consulting firms with no verifiable employees, office locations, or documented services."
Victoria folded her arms.
"Those firms were contracted to provide specialized advisory services."
"Where are the reports?"
"They were delivered electronically."
"Can you provide them?"
Victoria looked toward the finance director.
He remained silent.
Richard continued.
"Four million, two hundred thousand dollars were transferred through these agreements. We have not found evidence of services corresponding to the payments."
Victoria's voice became sharper.
"Are you accusing me of stealing?"
Nobody answered.
Edward finally spoke.
"We are asking you to explain the transactions."
Victoria turned toward him.
"You arranged this."
Edward looked at her.
"I arranged an investigation."
"You have no right to do this."
"I have every right."
"You are no longer involved in daily management!"
"That does not mean I have surrendered my responsibility to the shareholders."
Victoria stood.
"This is a personal attack."
Richard placed another document on the table.
"Please sit down, Ms. Reynolds."
"I will not be interrogated like a criminal."
"Nobody has called you a criminal."
"Then stop treating me like one!"
Edward remained calm.
"Victoria, sit down."
She stared at him.
For a moment, it seemed she might refuse.
Then she slowly returned to her chair.
Richard continued.
"We also discovered communications indicating that you intended to sell two subsidiaries without the required board approval."
Victoria looked at the screen.
The next slide displayed an email.
Her email.
Her signature.
Her instructions.
She felt the room closing around her.
"These messages are taken out of context."
Edward shook his head.
"No, Victoria. They are exactly what you wrote."
She turned toward him.
"You can't do this to me."
Edward looked genuinely sad.
"I wish I didn't have to."
CHAPTER 7: THE FINAL REVEAL
Victoria suddenly laughed.
It was a strange sound.
She looked around the table.
"Do you really think this is enough to remove me?"
Richard said nothing.
Victoria leaned forward.