Chapter 16 - The Boardroom
Charles survived surgery.
The shooter did not escape. Police found him on a nearby roof with a payment authorization from a Cayman Islands account.
The USB drive explained why someone wanted Charles dead.
It contained meeting minutes, voice recordings, investigator contracts, and emails describing Grace as "the Bennett risk."
One line made Nathan stop reading.
If the infant becomes a recognized heir, ownership projections change materially. Continue separation protocol.
Lily had not been targeted only because she embarrassed Edward.
Nathan's grandfather's trust granted direct descendants voting shares at adulthood.
A recognized daughter could one day control a major block.
Grace stared at the screen.
"Five years of my life for percentages."
Nathan had no answer.
That afternoon he called an emergency board meeting.
Nine directors attended.
Three brought criminal lawyers.
Nathan entered with Maya Chen, federal investigators, and copies of the evidence.
Chairman Robert Keene frowned.
"What is this?"
"My resignation."
The room exploded.
Nathan placed another document on the table.
"I'm transferring my voting control into an independent trust for Lily. I'm also waiving company indemnification for directors charged in the Bennett conspiracy."
Keene stood. "You'll destroy shareholder value."
Nathan looked at him.
"You tried to destroy my daughter before she could own shares."
Investigators arrested Keene first.
Two others followed.
By sunset, Cole Meridian stock had fallen thirty-eight percent.
Financial television called Nathan reckless.
He drove to Vermont anyway.
Lily met him at the farmhouse door.
"Did you win?"
He crouched.
"I told the truth."
"Is that winning?"
Nathan looked at Grace.
"Sometimes it costs more than winning."
Lily thought about that, then wrapped her arms around his neck.
Nathan held her.
It was the first time she hugged him without hesitation.
Then Grace's phone rang.
Maya.
Her face changed.
"What?"
Nathan stood.
Grace put the call on speaker.
"Victoria made bail," Maya said.
Nathan's stomach dropped.
"She surrendered her passport."
"She did."
"So where is she?"
May you like
A pause.
"No one knows."
