"The security department has preserved the conference room footage."
Alexander stood.
"Who authorized that?"
"Ms. Hayes."
He cursed under his breath.
Daniel continued.
"Also, the independent auditors have requested access to the Northbridge files."
Alexander stared at him.
"Why?"
"They said they received a package of documents."
"From whom?"
"They wouldn't say."
Alexander walked to the windows.
For the first time, he felt something unfamiliar.
Fear.
He had assumed Victoria would become emotional after the confrontation.
He expected her to leave, complain, perhaps demand an apology.
He never imagined she would immediately organize an investigation.
He called his father.
Richard Reed answered after the third ring.
"Alexander. I'm busy."
"We have a problem."
"What kind?"
"Victoria."
There was a pause.
"What happened?"
Alexander explained the meeting, the disagreement, and the confrontation.
He deliberately avoided mentioning that he had grabbed her.
Richard listened silently.
When Alexander finished, his father sighed.
"I told you not to confront her directly."
"She is blocking the acquisition."
"Then find another way."
"She has the board involved now."
Richard's voice became sharper.
"Listen to me carefully. You cannot afford to make mistakes with Victoria Hayes."
Alexander laughed bitterly.
"She's just an executive."
"No."
"What?"
Richard lowered his voice.
"She isn't just an executive."
Alexander frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Richard was silent for several seconds.
"How much do you know about the company's ownership structure?"
"I know the major shareholders."
"Do you?"
Alexander opened his laptop.
"Of course."
"Then tell me who controls the voting shares."
Alexander hesitated.
"The Sterling family trust."
"That is what the public records show."
Richard exhaled.
"Victoria Hayes controls the majority of the voting rights through a private holding company. She has for years."
Alexander stared at the screen.
"That's impossible."
"It isn't."
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Because nobody thought you needed to know."
Alexander felt his stomach tighten.
Richard continued.
"Your position exists because Victoria approved your appointment. Your father and I negotiated the investment, but she agreed to give you a chance."
Alexander's face went pale.
"You're saying she owns the company?"
"I'm saying she has enough voting power to remove you without asking my permission."
The call ended.
Alexander slowly lowered his phone.
He looked at the framed photograph on his desk.
It showed him standing beside his father at a charity gala.
He had always believed that photograph represented the beginning of his rise.
Now it looked like a reminder of how little he actually controlled.
CHAPTER 6: THE WOMAN WHO HAD BEEN WATCHING
At noon, Victoria received a call from the company's independent chairman, Jonathan Pierce.
"Victoria, I heard there was an incident."
"There was."
"Are you injured?"
"A minor cut."
"Alexander says it was an accident."
Victoria looked at the photographs Emily had just placed on her desk.
"Then the security footage should clarify things."
Jonathan sighed.
"I want to avoid unnecessary damage to the company."
"So do I."
"Could you consider resolving this privately?"
Victoria was quiet.
"Jonathan, if this were a disagreement over a marketing strategy, I would agree. But this involves physical intimidation, financial irregularities, and an attempted unauthorized transaction."
"I understand."
"Do you?"
She opened the ownership file.
"Because I am not interested in protecting someone's reputation at the expense of thousands of employees."
Jonathan paused.
"What are you proposing?"
"An emergency board meeting at three o'clock. Independent counsel present. The chief financial officer will provide the original reports. Security will preserve all recordings."