Chapter 12 - RICHARD’S BOARD
Richard had mapped people the way other executives mapped markets.
Daniel — wants approval.
Celeste — fears being ordinary.
Ethan — guilt / anger.
Sophie — attachment to mother.
Amelia — protective / suspicious.
Ethan read the board in silence.
Mara stood beside him.
“He didn’t just steal documents.”
“No.”
“He studied everybody.”
One envelope was labeled NORTHSTAR — FINAL.
Inside was the merger package Richard planned to present Monday.
It converted several family voting rights into a new holding structure.
Richard would become executive trustee for seven years.
He would not own Hale Biomedical.
He would control decisions around it.
For someone like Richard, that was better.
Ownership could be challenged.
Control could hide inside procedure.
Police found another folder.
CELESTE EXIT.
She had believed Richard planned a future with her.
His actual notes said:
AFTER ZURICH, DISTANCE C. FROM COMPANY. LIABILITY TOO HIGH.
Ethan almost pitied her.
Almost.
Then he remembered Sophie’s voice from the suitcase.
Daddy… please open it before she comes back.
Pity had limits.
The cabin computer contained travel searches.
Boston.
Montreal.
Then Toronto.
One booking had been made that morning under a false name.
Police contacted border authorities.
Meanwhile, Monday’s board vote had not disappeared.
Three directors insisted the Northstar merger still deserved consideration without Richard.
Money had its own momentum.
Ethan scheduled an emergency board meeting for Sunday night.
Mara warned him.
“Some of them may have known more than you think.”
“Good.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I want them in one room.”
Then Sophie’s advocate called.
Sophie remembered something new.
Not a secret Richard said.
Something Amelia had taught her.
A phrase.
“When adults fight about the company,” Sophie said, “Mom told me to ask Dad about the red book.”
Ethan froze.
There was only one red book in the mansion.
May you like
His father’s handwritten founder ledger.
It had been missing for two years.
