Thomas glanced at Daniel.
Daniel's face had turned red.
"And someone suggested the reception staff," Eleanor added.
Thomas closed his eyes for one second.
Then he opened them.
"Richard, is that true?"
Richard's voice rose.
"You're seriously going to accept her version without hearing mine?"
"I'm asking you a question."
Richard gestured angrily.
"The whole thing has been twisted."
Thomas turned toward the other executives.
"Did he refuse to shake her hand?"
No one answered.
Thomas repeated the question.
"Did he?"
Andrew Whitcomb finally spoke.
"Yes."
Richard snapped his head toward him.
"Andrew."
Andrew swallowed.
"He did."
Thomas looked at Andrew.
"Did he make the comment she described?"
Andrew's voice was barely audible.
"Yes."
Richard slammed his hand against the table.
"Enough!"
Eleanor did not flinch.
Thomas spoke sharply.
"Sit down, Richard."
For the first time that morning, Richard Caldwell obeyed another person's command.
He lowered himself slowly into his chair.
The men who had been laughing moments earlier stared at the table.
Thomas addressed Eleanor.
"I'm deeply sorry."
She acknowledged his apology with a small nod.
"I appreciate that."
"This behavior is unacceptable."
"I agree."
"We'll address it immediately."
Eleanor looked around the room.
"I hope so. But I don't believe this began today."
Thomas's expression grew more serious.
"What do you mean?"
Eleanor opened her portfolio again.
"I asked my team to examine more than financial performance."
She removed a thin report.
"We reviewed publicly available employee complaints, turnover trends, governance disclosures, and information provided during preliminary due diligence."
Martin shifted in his chair.
Eleanor placed the report in front of Thomas.
"Your organization appears to have a deeper leadership problem."
Richard shook his head.
"This is absurd."
Thomas held up one hand without looking at him.
Eleanor continued.
"Promotions have repeatedly favored informal relationships over documented performance. Concerns raised through internal channels appear to have received inconsistent treatment. Several employees reported retaliation after questioning management decisions."
Victor spoke quickly.
"Those allegations are unverified."
"Some are," Eleanor agreed.
"Then they shouldn't be discussed as facts."
"They should be investigated as concerns."
Victor fell silent.
Eleanor looked at Thomas.
"My investment group was prepared to commit substantial resources to this company."
Thomas nodded.
"I know."
"But I will not inject capital into an organization that rewards this behavior without requiring serious change."
Richard suddenly leaned forward.
"Are you threatening to walk away over a handshake?"
Eleanor turned toward him.
"No."
Richard spread his hands.
"Then what is this?"
"I'm evaluating whether your leadership can be trusted."
He laughed bitterly.
"Because I didn't shake your hand?"
"Because of what you said, what you assumed, and how comfortably your colleagues joined you."
Richard's face darkened.
"You have no idea what it takes to run this company."
Eleanor regarded him calmly.
"Then explain it to me."
"What?"
"Explain what makes leadership difficult."
Richard blinked.
Eleanor continued.
"Is it responsibility for employees? Managing financial risk? Making decisions when the outcome is uncertain? Protecting investors while keeping the business viable?"
Richard said nothing.
"I understand those responsibilities very well."
Thomas spoke.
"Richard, Brooks Capital's managed investment portfolio is considerably larger than Caldwell's."
Eleanor raised one hand.
"Thomas, the size is not the point."
He nodded.
"You're right."
She turned back toward Richard.
"Leadership is not a privilege that places you above other people. It's an obligation to exercise power responsibly."
Richard stared at her.
For the first time, he seemed unable to think of a response.
Then Daniel attempted to intervene.
"Perhaps we're all getting emotional."
Eleanor turned toward him.
"Emotional?"
Daniel gave an uncertain smile.
"These things happen. People make unfortunate comments."
"Yes," Eleanor said. "They do."
He relaxed slightly.
"But what people do afterward tells us whether they recognize the harm."
Daniel's smile faded.
She continued.
"So far, I have heard explanations, excuses, and attempts to minimize what happened."
Richard leaned back.
"Fine. I'm sorry you felt offended."
Thomas looked at him sharply.
Eleanor shook her head.
"That isn't an apology."
Richard's expression hardened.
"What do you want? A public performance?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"Accountability."
The word landed heavily.
Nobody laughed.
Thomas turned toward the corporate attorney.
"Claire, please arrange an immediate executive session of the independent directors."
Claire Donovan nodded.
"Of course."
Richard sat upright.
"You can't seriously be considering disciplinary action."
Thomas looked at him.
"I'm considering our governance obligations."
"Over this?"
"Over conduct that may expose the company to significant legal, reputational, and operational risks."
Richard pointed toward Eleanor.
"She's manipulating you."
Thomas's voice became colder.
"Richard, stop talking."
Richard's mouth remained open for a moment.
Then he fell silent.