Chapter 10 – The Board’s Decision
The kitchen remained silent after Amanda Pierce delivered the letter.
Landen read it again.
Then a third time.
Each time, his expression grew more hollow.
"They can't do this," he whispered.
Amanda folded her hands in front of her.
"They already have."
"I founded that company."
"You co-founded it."
Landen looked up sharply.
"What?"
Amanda opened another folder.
"According to the corporate records, Bradley Commerce Creative was incorporated with two founding shareholders."
He frowned.
"I know that."
"You and Mrs. Elisa Bradley."
Howard blinked.
"Elisa?"
I nodded.
"I was there from the beginning."
Howard looked confused.
"I thought Landen started the company before you were married."
"He had the idea before we married," I explained. "The company came afterward."
Amanda confirmed it.
"The Articles of Incorporation were filed eight months after your wedding."
Landen rubbed his forehead.
"That doesn't matter."
"It matters legally."
Amanda placed another document on the counter.
"Mrs. Bradley has remained a shareholder since the company was formed."
Naomi's words from earlier echoed in my mind.
"You said everything was yours."
Apparently, he had told everyone the same story.
Landen looked at me.
"You never cared about ownership."
"I cared about our family."
"I never thought you'd use it against me."
I met his gaze.
"I never thought you'd ask me to save the company one night and hand me divorce papers the next morning."
He lowered his eyes.
There was no response to that.
Amanda continued.
"The board reviewed the shareholder records this morning."
She glanced toward me.
"Mrs. Bradley, your shares remain active."
Howard frowned.
"How many shares?"
Amanda answered without hesitation.
"Forty percent."
The room froze.
Laurel gasped.
"Forty percent?"
Landen stared at me in disbelief.
"I thought..."
"I know what you thought."
"You thought I transferred them years ago."
I shook my head.
"I declined."
"When?"
"The first time you asked."
His eyes widened.
"You remember that?"
"I remember every document I sign."
A faint smile crossed Cynthia's face.
"I had a feeling."
Landen let out a slow breath.
"I honestly believed you signed them."
"I read them."
"You said we'd deal with it later."
"We did."
I folded my arms.
"Today."
Amanda handed another document to Cynthia.
"The board has also requested Mrs. Bradley's attendance at this afternoon's emergency meeting."
Landen looked stunned.
"They invited her?"
"Yes."
"They didn't invite my parents."
"No."
"They didn't invite Naomi."
"No."
"They invited my wife?"
Amanda corrected him gently.
"They invited one of the company's principal shareholders."
That distinction hit him hard.
For years, he had introduced me as his supportive wife.
Rarely as his business partner.
Now, the company recognized me before it recognized him.
Cedric wandered back into the kitchen carrying his drawing from earlier.
He smiled.
"Mama, can you hang this on the refrigerator?"
"Of course."
I took the drawing and attached it with a magnet shaped like a red apple.
Our little family stood smiling beneath the word HOME.
I stared at it for a moment.
Then Landen spoke quietly.
"I'm sorry."
Everyone looked at him.
It wasn't dramatic.
There were no tears.
No speech.
Just two simple words.
"I'm sorry."
I searched his face.
For the first time that morning, I believed he meant them.
Not because he had been caught.
Because reality had finally reached him.
"I know I hurt you."
I didn't answer.
"I know I betrayed our marriage."
Still nothing.
"I know I failed Cedric."
Our son looked up.
"Daddy?"
Landen knelt in front of him.
"I'm sorry, buddy."
Cedric studied his father's face.
"Are you crying?"
"A little."
"Mommy says it's okay for dads to cry."
I smiled softly.
"I do."
Cedric wrapped his little arms around Landen's neck.
"I still love you."
Landen closed his eyes as tears finally rolled down his cheeks.
"I love you too."
Watching them together broke something inside me.
No matter what happened between us...
This little boy loved his father with all his heart.
And despite everything, I knew Landen loved him just as deeply.
The problem wasn't love.
It was the choices Landen had made.
Amanda quietly checked her watch.
"I'm sorry to interrupt."
We all looked toward her.
"The board meeting begins in ninety minutes."
She turned to me.
"Mrs. Bradley, transportation has been arranged if you would like it."
"I'll drive myself."
She nodded.
"Very well."
As she gathered her files, her phone vibrated.
She glanced at the screen.
Then frowned.
"Excuse me."
She stepped aside to answer.
The conversation lasted less than a minute.
When she returned, her expression had changed.
"There has been another development."
Landen slowly stood.
"What now?"
Amanda looked directly at him.
"The board has received a copy of the forensic auditors' expanded report."
He swallowed.
"And?"
She took a slow breath.
"The report concludes that the missing funds were not the company's greatest financial risk."
Confusion spread across every face.
"What does that mean?" Howard asked.
Amanda looked at me first, then back at Landen.
"It means the auditors discovered something far more valuable than the missing money."
Landen's voice was barely audible.
"What?"
Amanda opened the report to the final page.
"They found evidence that someone has been trying to acquire controlling ownership of Bradley Commerce Creative..."
She paused.
"...using forged shareholder documents."
The room went completely silent.
May you like
Then Amanda looked straight at Landen.
"And every forged document contains what appears to be your signature."
