Chapter 12 - THE COUP
At 8:00 the next morning, every Bennett Global director occupied a seat in the Monarch boardroom.
Richard Sloan sat at the opposite end from Charlotte.
Victor was absent.
His suspension remained active.
Ryan was absent.
Sabrina was with attorneys.
Richard opened the meeting.
“This company is experiencing an unprecedented governance crisis.”
Charlotte said nothing.
“Millions may have been improperly transferred.”
“One senior executive is suspended.”
“The Chairwoman’s husband is implicated.”
He looked directly at Charlotte.
“Public confidence requires stability.”
Charlotte folded her hands.
“And your solution?”
“Temporary leadership.”
“Yours?”
Several directors shifted uncomfortably.
Richard smiled.
“I would accept the responsibility if asked.”
Charlotte nodded slowly.
Of course he would.
Richard continued.
“I move that Charlotte Bennett be temporarily removed as Chairwoman pending completion of all investigations.”
One director seconded.
Charlotte recognized him.
A Sloan Capital investor.
Jonathan whispered beside her.
“They planned the votes.”
Charlotte already knew.
Richard looked around.
“All in favor?”
Four hands rose immediately.
Then a fifth.
Charlotte’s heart tightened.
Six votes could create enough momentum for a broader governance challenge.
Richard smiled.
“Charlotte?”
She stood.
“Before the remaining directors vote, I’d like to show everyone something.”
Richard sighed.
“This is not a courtroom.”
“No.”
Charlotte looked directly at him.
“In court, evidence usually arrives more slowly.”
Marcus turned on the screen.
Bank transfers appeared.
Sloan Capital.
Haven Crest Capital.
Victor Hale.
Three companies.
Six transfers.
Millions of dollars moving between them.
Richard’s smile disappeared.
“What is this?”
“Your money.”
“This proves nothing.”
Jonathan spoke.
“Haven Crest Capital has received funding from Sloan-controlled entities for eighteen months.”
Richard looked around.
“Investment vehicles routinely share capital.”
Charlotte nodded.
“True.”
She clicked again.
A security photograph appeared.
Victor Hale entering Richard Sloan’s Manhattan townhouse.
Timestamp.
10:18 p.m.
Two nights earlier.
Another image.
Sabrina entering the same property.
Three weeks earlier.
Richard stood.
“This is ridiculous.”
Charlotte clicked again.
An audio file began.
Sabrina’s voice.
“Once Charlotte is removed, you get the company.”
Then another voice answered.
Older.
Calm.
Recognizable.
Richard Sloan.
“Not the company.”
“Control.”
Nobody moved.
Richard stared at the speakers.
Charlotte looked around the table.
“Would anyone like to continue voting?”
One by one, the hands that had supported Richard dropped.
Except one.
Richard remained standing.
His face had turned gray.
“You recorded me illegally.”
Charlotte shook her head.
“I didn’t record you.”
“Sabrina did.”
Richard looked toward Jonathan.
“You cannot use this.”
“Perhaps not in every proceeding.”
Jonathan smiled slightly.
“But the board heard it.”
Richard grabbed his papers.
“This meeting is adjourned.”
Charlotte’s voice cut through the room.
“No.”
Richard stopped.
“You called the meeting.”
She stood straighter.
“But Bennett Global belongs to its shareholders.”
“And they are still here.”
She looked around the table.
“I move for the immediate removal of Richard Sloan from all board committees pending investigation.”
Ten hands rose.
Richard stared at them.
Then Charlotte’s phone vibrated.
A message from Security Director Torres.
VICTOR HALE IS MISSING.
His apartment was empty.
May you like
His passport was gone.
And so was a company archive containing records worth far more than four million dollars.
