Chapter 12 - The Board Meeting
The board meeting lasted four hours.
Malcolm arrived with two lawyers.
I arrived alone.
He looked different.
No tailored confidence.
No charming smile.
No hand on anyone’s shoulder.
Just a dark suit and a face that looked like he had not slept.
He sat across from me.
For several minutes, neither of us spoke.
Then he said:
“You look beautiful.”
I looked at him.
“Don’t.”
His eyes lowered.
“I’m trying.”
“No.”
He nodded.
“Okay.”
The meeting began.
Arthur presented the ownership records.
Mara presented the evidence.
The board reviewed the financial transfers.
Then Vivian entered.
She sat down.
Malcolm looked at her.
“Why are you here?”
She didn’t look at him.
“To tell the truth.”
He laughed bitterly.
“You think that saves you?”
“No.”
She finally looked at him.
“I don’t expect to be saved.”
Then she turned toward me.
“I expect to be held accountable.”
That surprised me.
She handed Mara another folder.
“There are more.”
Mara opened it.
Her face changed.
“What is this?”
Vivian answered.
“Original messages between Malcolm and me.”
Malcolm stood.
“No.”
Arthur said:
“Sit down.”
Malcolm looked around.
Nobody moved to help him.
He sat.
Vivian continued.
“He told me Naen had no ownership.”
She swallowed.
“He told me he was the sole decision-maker.”
She looked at me.
“I believed him.”
“I know.”
“He also told me you were leaving the company.”
“I know.”
“I didn’t know about the ownership.”
I nodded.
“I believe you.”
Malcolm looked at me.
“You believe her?”
“I believe the documents.”
His jaw clenched.
That was the final humiliation.
Not that I hated him.
That I no longer needed to believe or disbelieve him.
The evidence was enough.
By the end of the meeting, the board voted unanimously.
Malcolm Ashford was removed as CEO.
Vivian was terminated.
A forensic audit was authorized.
The matter was referred to legal counsel.
And I was appointed executive chair.
When the vote ended, everyone stood.
I didn’t.
I simply looked at the empty chair where Malcolm had been sitting.
Then I realized something.
I had spent years imagining this moment.
I had imagined anger.
Tears.
Triumph.
But the truth was quieter.
I felt relieved.
May you like
That was all.
Relieved.
