Chapter 6 - Ten Minutes Later
After Isabella signed the authorization, Ethan attempted to seize the folder.
One of the security officers stepped between them.
“Sir, do not touch the documents.”
Ethan stared at him.
“I employ you.”
“No,” Isabella said. “Ashford Crown employs him.”
Evelyn slammed the wine bottle onto the desk.
“This performance ends now.”
Olivia entered the room and placed a legal notice beside the bottle.
“Evelyn Ashford, you are instructed not to destroy, remove, or alter any company property. The estate manager will supervise your departure.”
“My departure?”
“The residence is owned by Ashford Crown Estates,” Olivia explained. “Your occupancy was based on Ethan’s position as chief executive.”
Evelyn turned to her son.
“Tell them.”
Ethan was still reading the controlling-share agreement.
His face had gone pale.
He found the date of the original investment.
“You financed the company six months after our wedding.”
“Yes.”
“You watched me struggle.”
“I offered you advice. You laughed at me.”
“You should have told me who you were.”
“Would it have changed the way you treated me?”
Ethan opened his mouth, then stopped.
The silence answered for him.
His phone rang again.
Marcus Hale’s name filled the screen.
Isabella checked the clock.
“The meeting has started.”
She walked toward the concealed office behind the library bookcase.
Ethan followed.
“You cannot attend without me.”
“I am the majority shareholder.”
“I am the chief executive.”
“For another few minutes.”
The hidden door opened.
A wall of screens showed twelve directors waiting in the company boardroom. Marcus sat at the center. Beside him were the chief financial officer, the general counsel, and representatives of the independent audit team.
Ethan stopped at the doorway.
He had never known the office existed.
“You worked from here?”
“For eight years.”
On the central screen, Marcus called the meeting to order.
The auditors summarized the evidence.
Twelve million dollars paid to a false consulting vendor.
Two million in personal travel disguised as business expenses.
Unauthorized use of corporate aircraft.
Attempts to pressure employees into altering financial records.
A proposed transfer of company assets to a private entity controlled by Cassandra.
Ethan interrupted from the doorway.
“These are accusations.”
Marcus looked directly at him through the screen.
“They are supported by banking records, signed authorizations, emails, and witness statements.”
“I can explain every transaction.”
“You will have the opportunity to explain them to investigators,” Olivia said.
Evelyn appeared behind Ethan.
“This is Isabella’s revenge because my son no longer wants her.”
Isabella faced the screen.
“My marriage is not before the board. The misuse of company funds is.”
Marcus called for a vote.
Ethan attempted to object, but his access to the meeting had already been revoked.
One by one, the directors voted to remove him as chief executive.
The decision was unanimous.
The board then voted to terminate Cassandra and refer the audit findings to the proper authorities.
Finally, Marcus nominated Isabella Vale as interim executive chair.
The directors approved the appointment.
When the meeting ended, Ethan stood motionless.
Only eleven minutes had passed since Isabella signed the authorization.
His title, his authority, and his control of the company were gone.
May you like
“You planned this from the beginning,” he whispered.
“No,” Isabella replied. “I prepared for the possibility that you would never become better.”
