Chapter 18 - The Boardroom
Friday morning, every seat in the Blackwood boardroom was occupied.
Adrian sat at the head of the table.
Victor entered without speaking.
Margaret looked confident.
Then she saw Naomi.
Then Howard Pierce.
Then Maria.
Then Lily.
Her confidence disappeared.
Adrian smiled.
“This is becoming theatrical.”
Victor sat opposite him.
“You made it theatrical when you leaked my son’s life to the press.”
Adrian’s expression tightened.
Victor began with the financial records.
Larkin Consulting had funneled money to Serena.
False accounts had been opened in Daniel’s name.
Margaret had approved consulting contracts.
Howard explained the structure.
Then Victor played the intercom audio.
Adrian’s own voice filled the room.
“You only need one more incident.”
Nobody moved.
Then came the line about the trust.
Then Victor losing control.
Then Ethan becoming irrelevant.
Several board members stared at Adrian in disbelief.
Adrian stood.
“This audio is manipulated.”
Naomi placed authentication reports on the table.
“It has already been independently examined.”
Margaret suddenly turned toward Serena.
“You stupid girl.”
Everyone looked at her.
Serena slowly stood.
“No, Mother.”
“You made me stupid.”
Margaret’s face twisted.
Serena placed her phone on the conference table.
Then she played another recording.
Margaret’s voice filled the room.
“Once Victor is removed, Adrian gets the voting rights.”
Another voice answered.
Serena’s.
“And what happens to me?”
Margaret said.
“You marry Victor if he survives the scandal.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
Margaret’s response silenced the room.
“Then we move on.”
Adrian’s confidence finally cracked.
He turned toward Margaret.
“You recorded me too?”
Serena looked at him.
“Every time you told me not to trust anyone.”
Victor watched the conspiracy turn against itself.
The board voted again.
Adrian was removed as acting chairman.
Margaret was suspended.
Investigators waiting outside entered moments later.
Adrian looked at Victor.
“This changes nothing.”
Victor stood.
“It changes one thing.”
“What?”
“You don’t get near my son again.”
As Adrian was escorted toward the doors, Serena suddenly spoke.
“Victor.”
He turned.
She looked terrified.
“There’s something you still don’t know about Grace.”
May you like
Adrian stopped walking.
For the first time all morning, he looked afraid.
