Chapter 10 - THE BOARDROOM TRAP
The board meeting began at nine the following morning.
Sebastian entered as though no investigation existed.
He wore a navy suit.
The silver caps had been removed from his shoes.
Ethan noticed.
Three directors sat near Sebastian.
Each had received payments through companies named in Ava’s ledger.
Federal investigators monitored the meeting from another floor.
Ethan took his seat at the head of the table.
Sebastian opened a medical file.
“Yesterday, Ethan suffered a severe respiratory event.”
“He has also made accusations against senior leadership based on statements from a housekeeping employee and a toddler.”
Ethan remained silent.
Sebastian continued.
“For the protection of shareholders, I request an emergency competency vote.”
One director immediately seconded the motion.
Rebecca distributed a different packet.
It contained the recovered financial records.
The room changed.
Sebastian looked at the first page.
“What is this?”
“Harrington Relief transfers,” Ethan said.
“Three hundred and twelve million dollars.”
“Your signature appears on every shell-company authorization.”
“These are fabricated.”
“Ava Delgado copied them eleven years ago.”
Sebastian’s face became still.
Ethan placed the restored recorder on the table.
“We also recovered her final audio file.”
Sebastian looked toward the exits.
Federal agents entered and closed the doors.
He forced a smile.
“You brought police into a board meeting?”
“I brought witnesses into a crime scene.”
The recording played.
Ava’s voice filled the room.
Then Sebastian’s younger voice spoke.
You should have taken the money.
The directors turned toward him.
Sebastian stood.
“This proves a conversation.”
“Not fraud.”
“Not murder.”
Ethan pressed another button.
Denise’s recorded confession began.
She described the missing inhaler.
The disabled camera.
The plan to declare Ethan incapable.
One paid director attempted to leave.
Agents stopped him.
Sebastian looked at Ethan.
“You built this company because Ava left.”
“Yes.”
“I gave you the anger that made you successful.”
“You gave me a lie.”
“And you turned it into nine billion dollars.”
Ethan leaned forward.
“That is the difference between us.”
“I am willing to admit the foundation was rotten.”
Sebastian’s phone vibrated.
He looked at the screen.
Then every light in the boardroom went out.
The building entered emergency lockdown.
A voice came through the speakers.
May you like
“Security breach on thirty-eight.”
Maria and Lily were inside the tower.
