Chapter 4 - THE FIRST VOTE
At nine the following morning, the council chamber was full.
Damian arrived with six attorneys and Seline.
Vivien arrived alone.
That was how it appeared.
But seated around the long table were people who had known her for decades.
Caterina Bellandi occupied the chair at the far end.
Kanti sat beside her.
The remaining delegates watched silently.
Damian placed a leather folder on the table.
"This meeting is unnecessary."
Caterina raised an eyebrow.
"Then it should be brief."
A few delegates smiled.
Damian ignored them.
"I have the authority to appoint my Donna."
"You have authority over your household," Caterina replied. "The council is another matter."
He turned toward Vivien.
"Tell them to stop this."
She looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because we're married."
Vivien glanced at her bare left hand.
"Are we behaving like it?"
The room went quiet.
Damian's jaw tightened.
Caterina opened the proceedings.
The first motion concerned recognition of the Ashcroft chair.
The bylaws were read aloud.
The historical records were presented.
Then the delegates voted.
Twenty-one in favor.
None opposed.
Damian stared at the tally.
"That's absurd."
Caterina folded her hands.
"The vote is recorded."
Vivien felt no triumph.
Only a strange, unfamiliar weight.
Authority she had exercised quietly for years was now visible.
And visibility carried responsibility.
The second motion suspended Damian's ability to represent the council pending an audit.
This time, the vote was closer.
Seventeen in favor.
Four opposed.
Still enough.
Damian stood so abruptly that his chair scraped across the floor.
"You've all forgotten who kept this organization together."
Kanti looked at him.
"No, Damian. We remember exactly who did."
His gaze moved to Vivien.
Damian followed it.
Something flickered across his face.
Recognition.
Then resentment.
He turned to Seline.
"Come."
She hesitated.
For the first time, Vivien saw uncertainty in the younger woman's expression.
Damian walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he looked back.
"This isn't over."
Vivien met his eyes.
"No," she said. "It isn't."
After the doors closed, Caterina approached her.
"Are you ready?"
Vivien looked around the room.
"Ready for what?"
"To lead."
Vivien considered the question.
May you like
Then answered carefully.
"I'm ready to find out what we've allowed to happen."
