Chapter 15 - THE BOARD VOTE
The boardroom filled before nine.
Lawyers.
Directors.
Reporters outside.
He did not bring Sofia.
She had already been used enough.
Martin appeared by video from detention.
Nobody knew whose side he was on.
The motion was simple.
Remove Alexander Sterling as CEO for destabilizing the company.
One director said, "You've turned a private family matter into a corporate disaster."
Alexander replied, "My father used this corporation to erase children."
"We are discussing shareholder value."
"So am I."
Another director warned that exposing Victor's crimes would trigger lawsuits.
Alexander placed Lucia's recording on the table.
"Then prepare for lawsuits."
Hannah distributed the insurance records.
The forged debt.
The fake travel papers.
The illegal adoption ledger.
Directors stopped looking bored.
Alexander said, "Sterling Holdings will disclose all related-party misconduct to regulators."
A director snapped, "You don't have authority if we remove you."
"Correct."
"I hold twelve percent of voting proxies."
Charles continued.
"I revoke them."
The smile vanished.
"This company should have died before it became this."
The vote failed.
Alexander remained CEO.
For six minutes.
"I resign."
Shock moved through the room.
He had not told her.
Alexander continued.
"I will remain chair temporarily only to oversee independent investigation and restructuring."
A director said, "You're giving up control after winning?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because control is what poisoned this family."
He ordered the portrait removed.
By noon, markets dropped.
By afternoon, federal investigators arrived.
By evening, Veronica was charged with conspiracy, child endangerment, fraud, and attempted custodial interference.
Alexander went home exhausted.
Sofia waited in the kitchen.
"Did you lose your job?"
"I quit one of them."
"Are we poor?"
"No."
She thought.
"Could we still get pizza?"
"Yes."
They ordered pizza.
Halfway through dinner, the doorbell rang.
Maria answered.
A woman stood outside holding a sealed envelope.
She introduced herself as Elise Ward.
Ethan's adoptive mother.
Her eyes were red.
"He knows," she said.
May you like
"Knows what?"
"That Victor Sterling bought him."
