Chapter 13 - THE VOTE
Friday morning, I walked into the Mercer Technology boardroom carrying nothing but a folder.
Malcolm Voss was already there.
So was Rebecca.
Federal investigators occupied two seats near the wall under the pretense of security consultants.
My father’s former business partners attended remotely.
The acquisition vote was scheduled for noon.
If approved, the company would merge with a larger engineering group.
My trust’s shares controlled the deciding vote.
Voss wanted delay.
I wanted him to believe he still had a chance.
He smiled when I entered.
“Emma.”
“Mr. Voss.”
“I’m glad you’re recovering.”
“My son too?”
His smile tightened.
“Of course.”
The room filled.
Rebecca formally announced that she had recused herself.
I was recognized as interim beneficiary representative.
Voss objected.
His attorney claimed my recent medical crisis made me incapable of making major financial decisions.
There it was.
Daniel’s forged reports.
Exactly where they were intended to be used.
Voss’s attorney introduced copies.
I pretended to be surprised.
Rebecca stood.
“These reports are fraudulent.”
The attorney smiled.
“That has not been proven.”
Then Dr. Aaron Bell entered the boardroom.
His lawyer beside him.
His face gray.
He had agreed to cooperate that morning.
“The reports are false.”
He said.
“I altered them at Daniel Mercer’s request.”
Voss stopped smiling.
Then Ethan Shaw appeared by video.
He admitted replacing the digital trust amendment.
Then the genuine amendment was authenticated.
Every legal pathway Victoria designed began collapsing in public.
Voss leaned toward his attorney.
Whispering.
I watched him.
He was calculating.
Men like Malcolm Voss did not panic.
They changed strategies.
At 11:52, eight minutes before the vote, he asked for a recess.
I refused.
At 11:56, federal agents received a message.
Victoria Shaw had escaped transport during a medical stop.
My heart stopped.
“She’s free?”
Detective Ortiz whispered.
“For now.”
Then the building fire alarm sounded.
Everyone looked toward the doors.
Voss stood.
Too quickly.
He had been expecting it.
That was when I knew.
May you like
Victoria had not escaped by accident.
The boardroom was the final target.
