Chapter 16 - The Day Daniel Lost EverythingThe board meeting lasted forty-seven minutes.
Daniel remembered every one.
Vanessa sat at the head.
Paul Sutter beside her.
Daniel across.
Outside corporate counsel attended.
Owen waited near the door.
Vanessa opened.
“Our business faces unprecedented crisis.”
Daniel looked at her.
“One management created.”
She ignored him.
“Attendance at our resorts is down. Lenders want answers. Our CEO publicly admitted assaulting an employee and has destabilized confidence.”
Daniel felt anger.
“You created the circumstances.”
“Serious accusation.”
“I have emails.”
“Unauthenticated.”
“They can be authenticated.”
Paul shifted.
Vanessa continued.
“The board must decide whether Daniel can lead.”
Daniel looked at Paul.
“Do you think I should be removed?”
“We need stability.”
“You think Vanessa provides it?”
“I think we need interim management.”
“Have you seen bank records?”
“Summaries.”
“Don't vote on summaries.”
Vanessa tapped her pen.
“This is not a trial.”
The lawyer reminded everyone.
The vote concerned Daniel's officer position.
Vanessa moved for removal.
Paul seconded.
Daniel voted against.
Two to one.
Passed.
Daniel was no longer CEO.
Owen became interim operator under board supervision.
Vanessa announced renewed sale discussions.
Daniel stared at the table.
His father's company.
The first hotel Samuel built.
The marina.
The employees.
Gone from Daniel's authority.
Vanessa looked at him.
“This didn't have to happen.”
Daniel raised his eyes.
“You're right.”
She looked relieved.
“It could have stopped when you told the truth.”
Her expression closed.
Outside, reporters waited.
“Were you fired?”
“Is the company being sold?”
“Did your wife fake a pregnancy to manipulate shareholders?”
Daniel stopped.
“Today I am no longer chief executive.”
Cameras clicked.
“I remain a shareholder and, most importantly, Emma's father.”
He breathed.
“I support a full independent investigation into the pool incident, the trust and company finances.”
“Are you accusing your wife of fraud?”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“I'm asking that nobody be protected from evidence because they're family.”
He walked away.
At Maya's house Emma found him on the porch.
“Daddy no work?”
“Not there.”
“In trouble?”
“In a way.”
“Make mistake?”
“Several.”
“Fix?”
“Some.”
“What rest?”
Daniel pulled her close.
“Tell truth and try to make better.”
Emma rested against him.
“Sofia do that.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
The next morning Miriam called urgently.
“I reviewed the amendment notarization.”
Daniel stood.
“What?”
“The notary commission number belongs to someone not commissioned until months after the document date.”
His grip tightened.
“You're sure?”
“State records confirm the commission date. We still need original examination.”
Daniel stared at Samuel's photograph.
May you like
If fabricated, Vanessa had not merely abused power.
She may have manufactured authority Samuel refused to give.
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