Chapter 6 - THE BOARDROOM WHERE THEY EXPECTED ME TO CRY
Caleb arrived at the emergency board meeting with a prepared speech.
He wore a navy suit.
His hair was perfect.
His expression was solemn.
He looked like a grieving son-in-law ready to protect the family business.
I almost admired the performance.
Almost.
The meeting began at nine.
Eleven directors sat around the polished walnut table.
I took the seat at the far end.
Caleb glanced at my belly.
“Eleanor, are you sure you should be here?”
I smiled.
“I'm pregnant, Caleb. Not unconscious.”
A few directors looked down.
He cleared his throat.
“I only mean that you've been under enormous stress.”
“Then let's avoid creating more.”
Caleb presented a proposal.
He argued that the company needed immediate leadership stability.
He suggested appointing himself interim executive chair.
He also requested expanded signing authority over certain transactions.
I listened.
Then raised my hand.
Margaret Ellis recognized me.
“Yes, Eleanor?”
I looked at Caleb.
“Before the board votes, I'd like the audit committee to present its findings.”
Caleb's expression changed.
“This isn't the time.”
I turned toward Margaret.
“Is there a reason the board shouldn't hear them?”
Margaret opened her folder.
“No.”
The audit presentation lasted forty minutes.
It documented suspicious payments.
Conflicts of interest.
Unexplained consulting fees.
And transactions involving companies connected to Caleb and Vanessa.
No one interrupted.
When Margaret finished, the room was silent.
Caleb stood.
“This is a smear campaign.”
Margaret remained calm.
“These are preliminary findings supported by financial records. They require further investigation.”
Caleb pointed at me.
“She put you up to this.”
I looked at him.
“My father ordered the audit before he died.”
His face drained.
The board voted to suspend Caleb from his executive responsibilities pending investigation.
His proposed appointment failed.
He stared at the directors.
Then at me.
“You think you've won?”
I placed both hands on the table.
“No.”
My voice was steady.
“I think the company deserves to know where its money went.”
As Caleb left, he leaned toward me.
“You'll regret this.”
I looked directly at him.
“Perhaps.”
May you like
Then I smiled.
“But not as much as I regret marrying you.”
