An affair could be denied, minimized, or hidden behind expensive language.
Transferring protected software without authorization was evidence.
Patrick reached for his phone.
“I’m calling the board.”
“They are already assembled,” the woman reminded him.
The library speaker emitted a soft tone.
A conference line had connected through the secure tablet she carried.
No names appeared on its outward-facing screen.
A man’s voice said, “Ms.
Pierce, we have a quorum.”
Patrick stepped toward the device.
“This is Patrick Ainsley, chief executive officer.
End this call.”
The voice remained calm.
“The board recognizes Evelyn Pierce, controlling shareholder representative.”
Patrick looked at Evelyn.
She did not sit in his leather chair.
She remained beside the table in her beige cardigan, one hand resting near the divorce papers.
“Proceed,” she said.
The resolutions were read one by one.
Patrick was suspended as chief executive pending an independent investigation.
His access to corporate accounts, facilities, vehicles, and communication systems was revoked.
The proposed Vane transaction was terminated.
Outside counsel was authorized to pursue recovery of unauthorized expenses and investigate the source-code transfer.
The vote was not close.
Patrick’s phone vibrated before the meeting ended.
Victoria’s name appeared.
He answered immediately and turned away, lowering his voice.
“Victoria, I can fix this.”
Whatever she said made him glance at the others.
“No, Evelyn doesn’t control—”
He stopped.
Victoria already knew.
Her father’s attorneys had received the termination notice and a preservation demand instructing Vane Industrial not to delete files related to Patrick’s proposed transfer.
The merger that was supposed to make Patrick powerful had become a liability before the ink on his divorce was dry.
“You said you owned the company,” Victoria’s voice snapped loudly enough to carry from the phone.
“I founded it.”
“That is not what I asked.”
The call ended.
Patrick stared at the blank screen.
Beatrice stepped toward Evelyn.
“You vindictive little liar.”
Evelyn’s eyes met hers.
“I did not make Patrick misuse company money.
I did not send the software.
I did not bring Victoria into our marriage.”
“You waited until today.”
“I waited until the evidence was verified.”
“You planned this humiliation.”
“No.
You planned a gala in a house you do not own, celebrating a merger that was never approved, while your son tried to send me to a bus station.”
Beatrice looked toward Arthur.
“Stop her.”
Arthur stared at the divorce agreement he had been so eager to file.
“I represent Patrick in the dissolution,” he said carefully.
“I cannot alter corporate ownership records or recorded title.”
