Chapter 7 - THE EQUITY THAT VANISHED BEFORE MIDNIGHT
The Founders' Gala was scheduled for Saturday evening.
Preston believed his equity award would become secure shortly afterward.
He had already made plans.
A new apartment.
A new life with Cassidy.
And a future financed by shares he hadn't yet earned.
But Gideon's investigation was nearly complete.
On Friday morning, the firm's independent review committee received the preliminary findings.
The report identified serious misconduct involving vendor approvals, conflicts of interest, and false records.
Several transactions had been routed through companies connected to Cassidy.
Preston's department had approved them.
And my employee credentials had been used without authorization.
Gideon met with the committee.
The discussion lasted four hours.
When it ended, the committee voted to suspend Preston pending further proceedings and freeze the vesting of his conditional equity award.
The decision was documented.
Counsel prepared the notices.
And Preston's plans began collapsing before he knew it.
That afternoon, Preston entered Gideon's office.
He looked furious.
“What is this?”
Gideon remained seated.
“A notice of suspension.”
Preston threw the document onto the desk.
“You can't do this.”
Gideon looked at him.
“The committee has acted under the agreement you signed.”
Preston's face flushed.
“My equity—”
“Is not vesting while the investigation proceeds.”
Preston stared.
Then whispered, “Vivian.”
Gideon's expression hardened.
“Your wife did not make this decision.”
Preston laughed bitterly.
“She turned you against me.”
Gideon stood.
“No.”
His voice was quiet.
“Your conduct did that.”
Preston left the office furious.
He called Cassidy.
Then his attorney.
Then me.
I didn't answer.
Instead, I sat in Sofia's studio looking at my finished gown.
It was midnight blue.
Elegant.
Soft.
Beautifully tailored.
The back was partially open.
Not because Cassidy demanded it.
Because I'd chosen it.
I touched the fabric.
Then looked at myself in the mirror.
May you like
For the first time in five years, I didn't see a woman who needed to hide.
I saw someone who had survived.
