Chapter 24 - The Woman Who Built the Lock
The board assembled without Victoria.
Julian announced that she had failed to attend and called for an immediate vote.
Then the conference-room doors opened.
Victoria entered with Daniel, Evelyn, Arthur, Brooke and Margaret.
She placed the Founder Two records in front of the directors.
“Before you vote,” Victoria said, “you should know what Grant Holloway has been searching for.”
Julian attempted to end the meeting.
The directors refused.
Margaret testified that Helena Ward had helped create Meridian’s first encryption platform. Helena’s contribution was supposed to earn twenty percent of the company.
But before the agreement was finalized, Helena vanished.
Margaret claimed Helena had stolen code and fled.
Victoria had believed that explanation for years.
Brooke played the recording.
Julian’s voice filled the room.
“If Helena’s certificate still exists, Victoria’s ownership can be challenged.”
Grant responded.
“Then we force the archive open.”
Julian denied that the recording was real.
Daniel displayed the original metadata.
The board suspended Julian and canceled the vote against Victoria.
Police entered minutes later to question him regarding the data breach and fraudulent trust.
Julian said nothing until he reached the door.
Then he turned toward Margaret.
“You told Victoria Helena disappeared?”
Margaret’s face lost its color.
Julian laughed.
“She didn’t disappear.”
Victoria stepped forward.
“Where is she?”
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Julian looked at her with something close to pity.
“She has been watching Meridian longer than any of us.”
