Chapter 12 - THE BOARDROOM
The boardroom smelled like coffee, polished wood, and fear.
Seven board members sat behind a long table.
Peter Mercer sat at the far end even though Helen’s investigation now included his finances.
His lawyers said suspicion was not guilt.
They were right.
I hated that they were right.
Dad had been told not to attend the first half of the meeting.
Neither had I.
At 9:14, Sloane arrived.
Her father walked beside her.
She didn’t look at me.
I expected anger.
Instead, I saw terror.
“Something’s wrong,” I whispered.
Dad followed my gaze.
Peter put a hand against Sloane’s back and guided her toward the elevator.
She stiffened.
It was tiny.
Most people wouldn’t have noticed.
I did.
Twenty minutes later, Helen called us upstairs.
The board chair, Dr. Elaine Foster, spoke first.
“Ms. Mercer has testified that Principal Harper knew students were targeting Mia Bennett and instructed staff not to intervene so he could collect evidence against donor families.”
Dad actually laughed.
It wasn’t a happy sound.
“That is absurd.”
Peter leaned back.
“My daughter has no reason to lie.”
I looked at Sloane.
She stared at her hands.
“Yes, she does.”
Every head turned toward me.
Peter’s voice sharpened.
“You are not recognized.”
“This isn’t your company.”
Dad whispered, “Mia.”
But I kept going.
“Sloane told me her father keeps files on people. She told me he had something about my mother.”
Peter’s face didn’t change.
Sloane’s did.
Her eyes filled instantly.
Peter saw it too.
“Sloane,” he said softly.
It sounded almost loving.
That made it worse.
She swallowed.
Then she looked at the board.
“My statement is true.”
I stared at her.
She wouldn’t meet my eyes.
The board chair asked Dad to step outside while they discussed temporary suspension.
We walked into the hallway.
The doors closed behind us.
Then Sloane came running out through the side exit.
She grabbed my wrist.
Her fingers were ice cold.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“My dad made me say it.”
“Then go back in and tell them.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
Tears spilled down her face.
“Because he has my little brother.”
I froze.
“What do you mean he has him?”
“He sent Mason away last night. He won’t tell my mom where.”
Dad stepped closer.
“Sloane, are you saying your father threatened your brother?”
She nodded.
Then she pulled a tiny memory card from inside her sleeve.
“I stole this from his safe.”
She pressed it into my palm.
“He’ll destroy me if he knows I have it.”
“What’s on it?”
May you like
Sloane looked through the glass wall at her father.
“Everything.”
