Chapter 6 - The Papers Beside Her Bed
Richard waited until the morning after Evelyn’s surgery to bring Celeste into the hospital room.
He had already told the board that Evelyn would be unable to work for months. He claimed her condition required him to assume complete authority.
Most directors knew nothing about Northstar’s owner.
Richard believed he had a brief opportunity to force Evelyn out before the mysterious investor revealed its plans.
He also believed Evelyn was alone.
When she opened her eyes and found him holding the separation agreement, Richard expected tears, confusion and surrender.
Instead, she told him the truth.
Northstar Capital belonged to her.
The company he believed he had inherited was no longer his to control.
After Maya revealed Evelyn’s fifty-eight-percent ownership, Richard looked toward the two directors standing near the door.
“You can’t recognize this,” he said. “The acquisition was concealed.”
“It was legally disclosed,” Maya replied. “Northstar followed every reporting requirement.”
“I have the right to challenge it.”
“You have the right to hire an attorney.”
Richard turned toward Evelyn.
“You planned this behind my back.”
Evelyn’s voice remained weak, but every word was clear.
“You stole from the company behind mine.”
Celeste looked at Richard.
“You said she had no idea.”
Richard ignored her.
He stepped closer to the bed.
“You think buying shares makes you powerful?”
“No,” Evelyn said. “Knowing what to do with them does.”
Maya removed another document.
“Northstar has called an emergency shareholder meeting. Until the meeting concludes, the board has suspended Richard’s authority to approve transactions, access financial systems or represent the company.”
“You can’t suspend me,” Richard said.
One of the directors spoke.
“We already did.”
Richard’s face hardened.
“You’re making a terrible mistake.”
The hospital security officer moved closer.
“Mr. Mercer, you need to leave.”
Richard looked at Celeste.
She appeared uncertain for the first time.
“Come on,” he ordered.
Celeste remained where she was.
“Did you know about the car?”
Richard froze.
Evelyn watched him carefully.
“What car?” he asked.
“The one Evelyn was driving,” Celeste said. “You told me there would be a delay. You said she wouldn’t make the board meeting.”
Richard’s voice dropped.
“Not here.”
Celeste stepped away from him.
“You knew something was wrong with it.”
“Stop talking.”
The security officer placed himself between Richard and the bed.
Maya’s expression sharpened.
“Everything said in this room may be relevant to an active investigation.”
Richard looked around and finally understood how completely he had lost control of the situation.
He walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he turned back to Evelyn.
“This isn’t over.”
Evelyn rested her head against the pillow.
“For you, it’s only beginning.”
After Richard left, the strength disappeared from her face.
Maya moved beside the bed.
“You did well.”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
“I don’t feel like I did.”
“You survived.”
“That doesn’t feel like winning.”
Maya sat beside her.
“Winning comes later. Today, you protected what he was trying to take.”
Evelyn looked toward the empty doorway.
May you like
“And tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow, we prove what he did.”
