The emergency board meeting was scheduled for Friday morning.
By then, news of the investigation had begun circulating among senior employees.
Sterling's stock had fallen slightly.
Investors were requesting clarification.
Several journalists had contacted the company's communications department.
Richard spent most of Thursday night speaking with lawyers.
Collins, however, was becoming increasingly difficult to reach.
At 8:30 a.m. on Friday, the boardroom was full.
Victoria entered wearing the same elegant off-white suit.
This time, nobody laughed.
Margaret stood and greeted her.
"Good morning, Victoria."
"Good morning."
Thomas Reed nodded respectfully.
Peter Lang was also present, seated beside Daniel Foster.
At the head of the table, Richard Whitmore looked exhausted.
He had barely slept.
"Let's begin," he said.
Victoria took her seat.
Margaret opened the meeting.
"The purpose of today's session is to review the findings submitted by the independent audit team and determine whether temporary leadership restrictions are necessary."
Richard interrupted.
"I object to that wording."
Margaret looked up.
"On what grounds?"
"Because it implies wrongdoing before the investigation is complete."
Victoria spoke calmly.
"Then perhaps we should call it a governance protection measure."
Daniel nodded.
"That would be more appropriate."
Margaret continued.
"The audit team has identified evidence requiring further examination. The board must decide whether the chairman and vice chairman should retain unrestricted authority over the relevant financial operations while the review continues."
Richard looked toward Victoria.
"This is what you wanted all along."
Victoria shook her head.
"No. What I wanted was a transparent investigation."
"You're trying to remove me."
"The board is considering its options."
"Because you have the votes."
Victoria paused.
"Because the agreement provides the votes."
Richard looked around the room.
"Then let's stop pretending this is about ethics."
Victoria leaned forward.
"Mr. Whitmore, if this were about personal revenge, I would have walked away the moment you insulted me."
She glanced toward the documents.
"But I didn't. Because the company's employees, investors, and shareholders deserve answers."
Richard looked down.
Margaret requested the first audit summary.
The report identified three major areas of concern.
First, the original Northstar valuation had been altered before being circulated to the board.
Second, several payments connected to the transaction had been made to intermediary companies whose services could not be independently verified.
Third, the promised ninety-day financial review had never been completed.
The report did not establish final criminal liability.
But it recommended immediate restrictions on certain executive powers.
Thomas Reed spoke first.
"I support temporarily transferring approval authority for the affected transactions to an independent committee."
Margaret agreed.
Another director followed.
Richard looked toward Collins's empty chair.
"Where is Edward?"
Daniel answered.
"He has requested to attend remotely."
The screen at the end of the room came alive.
Collins appeared.
His expression was tense.
"I'm sorry for the delay."
Richard immediately spoke.
"Edward, we need to discuss your consulting arrangements."
Collins looked at him.
"Not before we address the legal validity of this investigation."
Victoria raised an eyebrow.
"Are you challenging the documents?"
"Yes."
"On what grounds?"
Collins hesitated.
"The original guarantee was executed under questionable circumstances."
Victoria slowly closed her folder.
"Interesting."
Collins continued.
"Jonathan Bennett was seriously ill at the time. His signature should be examined."
Victoria's face became cold.
"His signature has already been independently authenticated."
"That doesn't prove he understood the agreement."
Victoria turned toward Daniel.
"Would you please read the clause relating to the guarantee?"
Daniel opened the document.
"The guarantor's responsibilities were limited to the financial review mechanism and the preservation of certain investor protections."
"Thank you."
Victoria looked back at Collins.
"My father did not guarantee your financial decisions. He guaranteed that the company would be required to review them."
Collins said nothing.
Margaret called for a vote.
The proposal passed.
Seven votes in favor.
Two against.
Two abstentions.
Richard Whitmore would temporarily lose authority over the affected financial operations.
An independent committee would oversee the Northstar investigation.
And all executive communications relating to the acquisition would be preserved.
Richard stared at the voting record.
He had been chairman for twenty-two years.
He had survived recessions, failed acquisitions, and shareholder revolts.
But he had never imagined losing control because the documents he had signed years earlier were finally being read.
Victoria stood.
"I would like one final matter entered into the minutes."
Margaret nodded.
"Go ahead."
Victoria looked directly at Richard.
"I want the board to understand that the investigation is not complete. No individual should be declared guilty before the evidence is fully reviewed."
Richard looked up.
For the first time, he seemed surprised.
Victoria continued.
"However, no individual should be protected simply because of their title."
She gathered her documents.
"That includes the chairman."
The meeting adjourned at 10:42 a.m.
Richard remained seated.
He had lost part of his authority.
But he had not yet lost his position.
And he was beginning to understand that someone else was still trying to make sure he never discovered the complete truth.