Flights Jessica took when no client meetings were scheduled.
Jewelry coded as investor gifts.
Legal fees charged to NexaRoute for work that appears to have produced the papers sitting in front of you.”
Emily looked at Michael.
He did not deny it.
Instead, he said, “We should discuss this at home.”
Ten minutes earlier, he had wanted her out of their home by the date printed on page four.
Now he wanted privacy.
Emily slowly removed her wedding ring.
Her finger was swollen, and the band resisted before sliding free.
“No,” she said.
“You wanted to discuss our marriage here.”
Michael’s nostrils flared.
“You’re upset.
You don’t understand how corporate accounting works.”
“I understand an apartment.”
“It was used for business.”
“Was Jessica used for business too?”
His hand closed around the back of the chair.
David interrupted before Michael could answer.
“Emily, a car is waiting outside.
Bring every page.
Do not go to the condo tonight.”
Michael laughed once, but there was no humor in it.
“You think you can threaten me with a minority stake?”
“I do not need to threaten you,” David said.
“The agreement you signed gives the trust protective voting rights when company funds are misused, when an executive fails to disclose a related-party relationship, or when financial statements provided to investors are materially misleading.”
“That clause doesn’t apply.”
“The board will decide that tomorrow morning.”
Michael went still.
Emily realized then that her father had not called to comfort her after the damage was done.
He had already acted.
“What did you do?” Michael asked.
“I requested an emergency board meeting for eight o’clock.”
“You cannot call a meeting without proper notice.”
“The preferred shareholder agreement permits immediate review when there is evidence of financial misconduct.
You signed that provision yourself.”
Michael stared at the phone as though David were seated across from him.
Then he turned to Emily.
“If this company is damaged, our daughter loses too.”
It was the first time that evening he had called the baby their daughter.
Emily felt something inside her settle.
“You called her an accident when you thought you had all the power.”
Michael’s expression hardened.
“Do not let your father manipulate you.
He has wanted control of NexaRoute from the beginning.”
David did not raise his voice.
“I wanted safeguards because you wanted my money without accountability.”
Michael picked up his phone from beside the plate.
His fingers moved quickly across the screen.
“Calling Jessica?” Emily asked.
“That is none of your concern.”
“She became my concern seven months ago.”
He looked at her with a coldness she had once mistaken for exhaustion.
“You have no idea what it takes to run my life.”
“No,” Emily said.
