Chapter 8 - PATRICIA’S BOARDROOM
Patricia called an emergency shareholder meeting while Daniel remained at the hospital.
She announced that her son had suffered a psychological breakdown.
She presented the forged addiction report.
She described the secret company as a project Daniel created without board approval.
She claimed Vanessa had discovered the fraud and tried to confront me.
According to Patricia, I attacked Vanessa to protect Daniel.
The hallway footage had not been released publicly.
Patricia believed she could control the first version.
Martin Cole contacted Daniel before the meeting began.
“Your mother is asking the board to remove you permanently.”
“Let her speak.”
“Daniel.”
“She needs to say it on record.”
Daniel joined by secure video from the hospital.
I remained beside him.
Patricia sat at the head of the Mercer Global board table.
Her silver hair was pulled into a perfect knot.
She wore the expression of a grieving mother forced to protect a company from her own son.
“Daniel.”
Her voice softened.
“You should be resting.”
“My children are in intensive care because of your plan.”
Several directors looked toward Patricia.
She did not react.
“Vanessa has made allegations to reduce her own responsibility.”
“The financial records support her.”
“Records can be manipulated.”
“So can medical reports.”
Daniel displayed Dr. Grey’s statement.
The doctor had been arrested that morning.
He admitted Patricia paid him to create the false addiction history.
Patricia’s expression changed only slightly.
“You are confused.”
Daniel almost smiled.
“That sentence appears often in our family.”
The outside auditors entered the meeting.
They presented the secret accounts.
The insurance policy.
The forged signatures.
The payments to Eric Sloan.
One director removed her glasses.
“Patricia, did you authorize these transfers?”
“I authorized temporary liquidity measures.”
“Under Daniel’s identity?”
“He was overseas.”
“That does not answer the question.”
Patricia looked toward Daniel’s image on the screen.
“Your father built this company.”
“No.”
Daniel’s voice became firm.
“He built the first office.”
“Hundreds of employees built the company.”
“You inherited control.”
“You did not inherit ownership of everyone inside it.”
Patricia struck the table.
“I held this family together after your father died.”
“You held us in place.”
“There is a difference.”
Her composure cracked.
“Everything I did was to protect the Mercer name.”
“From Vanessa’s theft?”
“From scandal.”
“By planning my death?”
The boardroom became silent.
Patricia looked toward her attorney.
Daniel continued.
“The elevator contractor has agreed to testify.”
“He received payment from Mercer International Holdings.”
“He received instructions from Eric.”
“Eric’s messages mention your approval.”
Patricia’s attorney whispered to her.
She stood.
“This meeting is over.”
Martin Cole blocked the door.
“No.”
He placed the voting documents on the table.
“The board will decide that.”
The vote removed Patricia as chair.
Her shares were placed under temporary legal restriction.
Her access to company systems ended immediately.
Security escorted her from the building she had controlled for thirty-two years.
As she reached the elevator, she turned toward the camera carrying Daniel’s image.
“You will regret choosing that woman over your blood.”
I expected Daniel to defend me.
Instead, he said something stronger.
“Rachel and the twins are my blood.”
“More importantly, they are my family.”
The elevator doors closed.
The boardroom remained silent.
Then Martin asked Daniel whether he intended to return as chief executive.
“Not until the investigation is complete.”
The directors approved his decision.
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Integrity did not require a title.
Patricia had never understood that.
