The emergency board meeting was scheduled for Friday morning.
Richard Whitmore had requested it after receiving a preliminary summary of the investigation.
He was not happy.
Neither were several members of the senior leadership team.
They had expected Danielle to review the company's performance, identify a few inefficiencies, and introduce a new strategy.
They had not expected an investigation into the previous administration.
At 9:00 a.m., the board gathered around the walnut conference table.
Richard sat at the head.
Marcus Bennett occupied the chair to his right.
Olivia sat beside Danielle, with a legal folder open in front of her.
Ethan Caldwell was not formally invited.
However, Richard had requested that he attend the first portion of the meeting to explain the operational approvals.
Danielle began with a short presentation.
"Over the past four days, our review has identified several irregularities involving procurement approvals, vendor performance reports, and supporting documentation."
She displayed a chart.
"Three external vendors received payments totaling approximately $8.4 million over the previous two quarters."
A board member frowned.
"That's a significant amount."
"Yes," Danielle replied. "Especially considering that several contracted services cannot currently be verified."
Richard leaned back.
"These payments were approved through established procedures."
"That is what we're examining."
Ethan cleared his throat.
"If I may?"
Danielle nodded.
He stood.
"Operations processed the payments based on approvals received from finance and the relevant department managers. My team followed the company's standard procedures."
"Did you verify the services?" Danielle asked.
"That wasn't my team's responsibility."
"Who was responsible?"
"Gregory Shaw's department."
"Gregory is no longer with the company."
"That doesn't change the process."
Danielle displayed another document.
"Then perhaps you can explain this."
The screen showed an invoice for $1.9 million.
Beneath the amount was a digital signature bearing Ethan's name.
"Did you approve this payment?"
Ethan looked at the document.
"Yes."
"Did you verify the supporting report?"
"The report was submitted through the system."
"That wasn't my question."
He shifted his weight.
"I relied on the information available to me."
Danielle nodded.
"Understood."
She displayed a second document.
"Did you instruct Jessica Miller to change a supplier performance report from incomplete to completed?"
Ethan's face tightened.
"That's an internal personnel matter."
"Did you?"
"I don't recall the exact conversation."
Olivia opened her folder.
"We have the original report and the revised report."
Ethan looked toward Richard.
"With respect, I don't believe it's appropriate to discuss an employee's allegations without giving me the opportunity to respond."
Richard nodded.
"That's a fair point."
Danielle closed the presentation.
"Then we'll proceed through the formal review process."
Ethan looked relieved.
But Danielle was not finished.
"Before we conclude, I want the board to understand that the investigation has uncovered a potential conflict of interest involving one of the vendors."
Marcus opened his folder.
"Northbridge Advisory appears to share a registered business address with an entity connected to a former senior executive."
Richard's expression changed.
"Which executive?"
Marcus looked at him.
"Gregory Shaw."
Silence filled the room.
Richard slowly turned toward Olivia.
"Are you certain?"
"The documentation is being independently verified."
Ethan looked down at the table.
Danielle noticed.
So did Marcus.
"Mr. Caldwell," Danielle said, "do you have any personal or financial relationship with Northbridge Advisory?"
"No."
"Have you received any gifts, payments, or other benefits from its representatives?"
"Absolutely not."
"Have you communicated with Daniel Price outside official company channels?"
Ethan hesitated.
"Not that I remember."
Danielle studied him.
"That's a very specific answer."
Richard interrupted.
"I think we've established that further review is necessary."
The meeting ended shortly afterward.
As the board members left, Ethan approached Richard.
"Can we speak privately?"
Richard glanced toward Danielle.
"Later."
"Sir, I need to explain something."
"Not now."
Ethan watched Richard walk away.
He then turned toward Danielle.
"You seem very determined to make me the center of this investigation."
Danielle gathered her documents.
"I'm determined to establish the facts."
"You don't know what happened before you arrived."
"Then help us understand."
He lowered his voice.
"Some of the people you're trusting aren't as innocent as they appear."
Danielle looked at him.
"Who?"
Ethan glanced toward the corridor.
"Richard."
For the first time, Danielle's expression changed.
Not dramatically.
Just enough to suggest that she was listening carefully.
Ethan continued.
"He knew about the vendor arrangements."
Danielle said nothing.
"He approved the restructuring program."
"Do you have evidence?"
Ethan hesitated.
"Not with me."
"Then bring it to Olivia."
He shook his head.
"You don't understand. If you investigate him, this becomes much bigger than you think."
Danielle closed her folder.
"Then perhaps we should stop pretending it isn't."
Ethan walked away.
Danielle watched him disappear into the corridor.
Olivia approached.
"Do you believe him?"
"I believe he knows something."
"About Richard?"
Danielle looked toward the empty boardroom.
"Possibly."
She picked up her phone and sent a message to Marcus.
We need the original governance committee records. All of them. Especially the documents from before my appointment.
Then she added another instruction.
And I want to know who recommended my appointment in the first place.
Because suddenly, Danielle was no longer certain that she had been brought into Whitmore Global simply to repair a damaged company.
Someone might have wanted her there for another reason.