Chapter 8 - THE BOARDROOM COUP
Adrian moved first.
At 8:00 the next morning, Charlotte received notice of an emergency board meeting.
Subject:
REMOVAL OF CHAIRWOMAN FOR BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY.
She almost admired the speed.
Adrian accused Charlotte of using Bennett resources to punish her husband.
Unauthorized audit.
Improper suspension.
Misuse of security.
Retaliation against Monroe Strategic.
He framed the entire investigation as emotional revenge.
Ryan attended.
Charlotte expected that.
What she did not expect was for Ryan to testify against her.
“My wife concealed material information about her ownership position from me for eleven years.”
Charlotte watched him.
“She manipulated financing for my business without disclosure.”
He continued.
“She used corporate resources to monitor me.”
“That is false,” Marcus interrupted.
Adrian raised a hand.
“Let him finish.”
Ryan looked at Charlotte.
For one second she saw pain.
Then ambition buried it.
“I believe Charlotte’s judgment is compromised.”
There it was.
The husband she protected for years was now helping her uncle remove her.
Charlotte spoke quietly.
“Did Adrian promise you something?”
Ryan’s jaw tightened.
“This isn’t personal.”
“That means yes.”
Adrian called the vote.
Six directors supported Charlotte.
Five supported Adrian.
One remained undecided.
Charles Whitaker.
Eighty-one.
Family friend.
He looked at Charlotte.
“Your father trusted you.”
She said nothing.
“Your uncle has also served this company nearly forty years.”
He sighed.
“I need evidence, Charlotte.”
“Not suspicion.”
Adrian smiled.
The vote would be delayed forty-eight hours.
Charlotte remained chair temporarily.
Adrian regained limited access.
That was dangerous.
Outside the boardroom Ryan followed her.
“Charlotte.”
She kept walking.
“Stop.”
She turned.
“What?”
“I didn’t have a choice.”
She laughed.
Every betrayer loved that sentence.
“You always have a choice.”
“He has documents.”
“Against you?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
Ryan looked away.
Charlotte understood.
“Your contracts.”
“Yes.”
“If Adrian falls, you fall.”
“Yes.”
“So you chose yourself.”
His face tightened.
“You would too.”
“No.”
“You don’t know that.”
She stepped closer.
“Last night a woman dropped ten dollars at my feet while my husband watched.”
Ryan closed his eyes.
“Charlotte.”
“And twelve hours later that husband tried to remove me from my own company.”
She removed her wedding ring from her pocket.
She had carried it since the lobby.
Ryan stared.
She placed it in his palm.
May you like
“This is the last asset of mine you’ll ever hold without paperwork.”
Then she walked away.
