Chapter 17 - The Vote That Counted
Everett arrived with two attorneys and a binder thick enough to stop a door. He claimed I'd hidden my stake, deceived him as a spouse, and controlled the company from the shadows.
Some of it stung because the secrecy was real. I had hidden my identity. I had let him believe an investor admired him for reasons that had nothing to do with me.
“But ownership is documented,” Ruth said. “And Mr. Ward signed the subscription agreements accepting Harborline's voting rights. A marriage doesn't void them.”
The independent directors questioned us both. I answered everything, including the uncomfortable questions about why I'd stayed silent. Everett refused to answer whether he knew about the fraudulent vendor accounts, citing advice from his attorneys.
When the meeting recessed, he caught me in the corridor.
“You could have told me,” he said.
“Yes. I should have. But you could have asked why I was always there when the bills came due.”
He looked at his shoes.
The board reconvened. With Everett recused under the conflict rules, the remaining directors voted to remove him as chief executive pending the investigations and to appoint Jonah interim CEO. The shareholders ratified the governance changes under the company's bylaws. Independent directors would supervise the recovery effort.
Everett stood motionless while the chair read the resolution.
“It's my name on the building,” he said.
“Names can change,” Jonah replied. “People still have to get to work.”
By four, the lender confirmed the bridge had funded. Warehouse deliveries continued. Nobody cheered. We were too tired, and too many questions remained.
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Then Ruth received an urgent call from the foundation's treasurer.
Someone had pledged charity money as collateral for the same overseas deal. The pledge carried Everett's signature.
