Chapter 16 - Filed
Claire’s stomach dropped.
“You said it was a contingency document.”
“That’s what Richard told me,” Bell said. “But an electronic copy was submitted to the trust administrator at 9:14 a.m.”
“By whom?”
“We don’t know yet.”
Ethan stepped closer. “Can it be reversed?”
“Yes, but not instantly. And until it is challenged, someone may try to use it to call an emergency vote.”
Claire looked at the clock.
It was 5:18 p.m.
“When?”
Bell checked his phone.
“Tonight.”
Claire stared at him. “Tonight?”
“The trust bylaws allow an emergency remote vote if three directors certify a liquidity crisis.”
Richard approached, having overheard.
“Margaret wouldn’t.”
Bell looked at him. “She already has.”
He turned his screen around.
NOTICE OF EMERGENCY VOTE - 7:00 P.M.
Claire read the resolution.
Transfer of selected intellectual property, logistics contracts, and real estate assets from Cole Holdings to Cole Capital Partners.
Exactly what Noah had described.
If approved, the profitable pieces of Cole Holdings would move into a new entity before creditors could act.
Claire’s forged beneficiary consent would be used to count her as present.
Mia stared at the notice. “Can she vote against it?”
Bell shook his head. “Not unless the administrator verifies her real identity and rejects the forged consent first.”
“How long?” Claire asked.
“Normally, days.”
“We have ninety minutes.”
Bell looked grim. “Yes.”
Claire turned to Ethan.
His phone was already in his hand.
“I’m calling my attorney.”
Richard said, “I’ll call the board.”
Claire stopped him.
“No private calls.”
He looked offended.
“You expect me to—”
“I expect every conversation about my rights to happen where I can hear it.”
Richard nodded slowly.
“Fair.”
They moved into the hotel’s conference room.
For the first time all day, Claire felt something other than shock.
Focus.
She called Paul Mercer, her grandfather’s attorney.
He answered on the second ring.
“Claire? I’ve been trying to reach you.”
“Why?”
“Because someone attempted to transfer your inherited shares this afternoon.”
Claire went cold.
“To whom?”
May you like
Paul paused.
“To Ethan Cole.”
