Chapter 11 - The Vote at Eight
In a private office the next morning, Victor checked the time. “The
board meeting starts in forty minutes,” he said. “Julian called an
emergency vote before the gala. He wants me removed as chairman and the
foundation’s education division sold.”
“To whom?” Mara asked.
“A company called Apex Learning.”
Theo recognized the name from a flyer at his neighborhood chess club.
Apex planned to replace volunteer-led programs with a paid digital
platform. The Southside Chess House, where his father had taught
children for years, sat on land owned by the foundation. If the sale
went through, the building would be cleared by summer.
“They’re closing our club?” Theo asked.
Victor’s silence was answer enough.
“Dad built that place,” Theo said. “He said chess should belong to
everybody.”
“I know.” Victor rubbed his eyes. “And I let Julian turn it into a
business plan.”
Mara folded her arms. “You don’t get to save it with a check and call
things even.”
“I’m not going to.” Victor opened a folder. “I’ll ask the board to
freeze the sale, preserve the programs, and appoint an independent
trustee. I’ll resign if that’s what it takes.”
“Will you tell them what you signed?” Mara asked.
His face changed. “What I signed?”
“The settlement that ruined Elias. Your name is on it.”
Victor looked down. She had found the final blade beneath all the
others. He had told himself the lawyers had handled the details, but he
had signed the order that ended Elias’s appeal.
“Yes,” he said. “I’ll tell them.”
Theo picked up the battered clock. “Then don’t make another move because
you’re scared.”
The boy’s words followed Victor into the elevator and down to the
boardroom. Around the long table sat nine directors, two lawyers, and a
representative from Apex. Julian’s chair was empty, but a sealed packet
waited in front of every director.
The chairwoman opened hers and went pale.
“This says Victor Whitlock is mentally unfit to lead,” she said. “And it
includes a proposed sale agreement signed by Julian yesterday.”
Victor took his seat.
“Then before you vote,” he said, “you should know what else my son
signed yesterday.”
He placed the restored archive report in the center of the table.
May you like
The chairwoman turned the first page—and immediately called for a
recess.
