Chapter 2: The Emergency Board Meeting
Chapter 2: The Emergency Board Meeting
The black SUV glided through the city while my phone buzzed nonstop.
Thirty-two missed calls from Lucas.
Twelve from Helen.
Nine from Richard.
I ignored every one of them.
Across from me, my assistant, Daniel, adjusted his tablet.
"The board is assembled, Ms. Carter."
I nodded.
"They've seen the documents?"
"Every page."
"And the voting rights?"
"They transferred the moment you sent the authorization."
Good.
For four years, I had hidden behind the title of Lucas Bennett's wife.
Tonight, Isabella Carter returned.
Twenty minutes later, I entered the headquarters Lucas believed belonged to him.
Employees stood as I walked past.
Some recognized me.
Most didn't.
They simply saw the security team escorting me to the executive floor.
The boardroom doors opened.
Twelve directors looked toward me.
Some smiled.
Others appeared relieved.
The chairman stood first.
"Welcome back, Ms. Carter."
I took the seat at the head of the table.
"The meeting is now in session."
Five minutes later, Lucas burst through the doors.
His tie hung loose.
His face was pale.
"You can't do this!"
No one answered.
He looked around the room.
"Tell her!"
Silence.
Finally, the chairman slid a folder toward him.
"The vote has already been certified."
Lucas opened it.
His hands began to shake.
Resolution 47.
Immediate removal of Lucas Bennett as Chief Executive Officer.
Effective immediately.
His voting rights...
Revoked.
Access to corporate accounts...
Suspended.
Executive authority...
Transferred.
He stared at me.
"You planned this."
I met his eyes.
"No."
"You planned it for yourself."
Security stepped forward.
"Mr. Bennett, we'll escort you out."
Lucas looked around desperately.
No one moved.
Not one director defended him.
The same people he believed he controlled had already chosen survival.
As the doors closed behind him, I spoke calmly.
"Next item."
May you like
The room became silent again.
"We rebuild."
