Chapter 17 - The Vote
At 7:55 a.m., the Bennett Group boardroom was packed with lawyers, federal observers, frightened directors, and reporters watching through a live corporate feed.
Michael sat at the head of the table.
For the first time in his life, he was there because Andrew's trust gave him the right--not because Diane put him there.
Victor appeared on a remote screen from an undisclosed location.
"You signed the first transfer," he said. "You benefited from the trust. You ignored warnings. Michael Bennett is not a victim. He is part of this."
Michael didn't argue.
"I signed a document I didn't read," he said. "That was reckless. I'll answer for it."
Michael continued. "But I didn't create fake companies. I didn't forge my wife's signature. I didn't steal employee pension money. And I didn't help throw my daughter off a balcony."
One director lowered his eyes.
Mara presented the audit.
Thirty-one point eight million stolen.
Fourteen million hidden under Lily's identity.
Nine shell companies controlled by Victor.
Diane's approval on every major transfer.
Then I placed Andrew's paternity acknowledgment beside the DNA report.
"This company spent thirty-five years pretending Andrew Bennett died without an heir," I said. "He didn't."
Victor's proxy directors called for a vote anyway.
Four voted to remove Michael.
Three voted to keep him.
One seat remained undecided: independent director Samuel Price, an eighty-year-old former judge who had served with Michael's grandfather.
Samuel looked at Michael.
"What will you do if you keep control?"
Michael answered without hesitation.
"Freeze family dividends. Repay the employee pension fund first. Open every trust record to regulators. And when this is over, I'll ask the board to choose a CEO who didn't inherit the job."
Samuel smiled faintly.
"My vote is no."
The removal failed.
Victor's video feed went dark.
Everyone started talking at once.
Then Martinez rushed into the room.
"We traced his connection."
Michael stood.
"Where is he?"
She looked toward the river through the glass wall.
May you like
"Closer than you think."
Victor had been broadcasting from the abandoned executive floor three stories above us.
