Chapter 16 - The Emergency Vote
The board meeting began at noon.
Julian argued that Victoria should step aside until the investigation ended. He claimed her continued leadership threatened Meridian’s clients, employees and stock value.
Three directors agreed immediately.
Two remained undecided.
Victoria needed only one of them to refuse the motion.
She presented evidence of the legacy credential, the children’s trust and the conditions attached to the stolen shares.
Julian dismissed everything as speculation.
“You are blaming your personal scandals for a failure that occurred under your leadership.”
“This attack came from inside Meridian.”
“Then perhaps your judgment in choosing executives is part of the problem.”
Victoria watched the other directors.
Julian was not attempting to discover the truth.
He was following a prepared script.
Before the vote, Daniel entered with new information.
The credential used in the breach had been activated from Julian’s executive terminal.
Every director turned toward him.
Julian did not appear surprised.
“I authorized an internal audit,” he said.
“You restored Arthur’s access?” Victoria demanded.
“I restored a legacy tool that allowed us to examine transactions you had hidden during the divorce.”
“There were no hidden transactions.”
“That is what I intended to confirm.”
Daniel shook his head.
“The account wasn’t used for an audit. It downloaded employee records.”
“Then someone hijacked it after I activated it.”
Julian admitted poor judgment but denied involvement in the breach.
The board postponed the vote for forty-eight hours.
As the directors left, Julian remained behind.
“I warned you years ago that Meridian was becoming too dependent on one person,” he told Victoria.
“You helped create a trust designed to remove me.”
His eyes moved toward the documents.
“I signed many things during the expansion.”
“Just as Arthur did?”
Julian’s expression hardened.
May you like
Then he said something Victoria had not expected.
“Ask Evelyn why Grant chose her certificate.”
