Chapter 10 - The Boardroom
Carter Meridian's headquarters rose twenty-eight stories above downtown Atlanta.
At 11:57, Evelyn walked into the lobby wearing hospital clothes beneath my coat and a medical brace along her cheek.
Every conversation stopped.
Harold was already upstairs.
So was Daniel.
Security tried to block us.
Maya handed over a letter from Evelyn's counsel confirming her shareholder rights and demanding preservation of records.
"Call upstairs," Evelyn said. "Tell my husband his wife is here to vote."
We reached the boardroom at 12:09.
Harold sat at the head of the table.
Daniel was three seats down, his injured hand wrapped.
Victor Sloan stood near the windows.
Harold looked at Evelyn's face and showed no shame.
"You should be resting."
"You should be in jail," she replied.
Then Harold looked at me.
"And you should be on your honeymoon."
"Your son changed the itinerary."
Daniel flinched.
Maya placed copies of the scheduled transfers on the table.
"No one should approve movement of these funds until an independent review is completed."
Victor smiled thinly.
"You have no standing here."
"I don't," I said. "Evelyn does."
Evelyn lifted her chin.
"I vote no."
Harold laughed.
"You resigned your voting rights two years ago."
A document slid across the table.
Evelyn stared at the signature.
"I never signed this."
"Your signature was notarized."
Maya picked it up.
"By whom?"
Victor answered too quickly. "Company counsel handled it."
Daniel looked toward him.
That tiny glance told me something had just gone wrong.
Evelyn pointed to the date.
"I was in intensive care that day after my surgery."
One director reached for his phone.
Harold slammed his palm down.
"Meeting adjourned."
"No," Evelyn said. "We're just getting started."
Then Daniel stood.
He took a flash drive from his pocket.
"She's right."
Harold's face changed.
May you like
Daniel set the drive on the table.
"And I can prove who forged her signature."
