Chapter 6 - The Boardroom Ambush
The emergency board meeting was scheduled for 9:00 AM.
Daniel sat at the head of the long mahogany table, radiating confidence. Vanessa sat a few chairs down, introduced as his "external financial consultant." They had spent the night believing they had successfully transferred $150 million in assets to Geneva.
"Gentlemen," Daniel said, addressing the gray-haired board members. "It is with a heavy heart that I must discuss the future of the Hayes Corporation. As you know, my ex-wife, Emily, has been suffering from severe cognitive decline. Her recent erratic behavior regarding company funds proves she is no longer fit to lead."
"I agree," a voice rang out from the doorway.
Every head turned. I walked in, wearing my grandfather's vintage Rolex and a sharp tailored suit. My steps were steady, my posture immaculate. Behind me walked my father, Julian, and two men in dark windbreakers.
"Emily?" Daniel stammered, standing up. "You're... you're supposed to be resting."
"I'm done resting, Daniel," I said, walking to the head of the table. I didn't ask him to move. I just stared him down until his knees buckled and he sank into the chair next to me.
I plugged a flash drive into the projector.
"Board members, my ex-husband has cited my mental health as a reason for my dismissal," I announced loudly. The screen flashed behind me. It was the toxicology report. "This is the reason for my mental decline. Traces of sedatives and hallucinogens, secretly administered to me over eight months."
Gasps filled the room. Vanessa stood up, her face tight. "This is a domestic dispute, I should leave—"
"Sit down, Veronika," my father commanded from the back of the room. The use of her real name made her freeze.
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I clicked to the next slide. It showed the IP address of Daniel's laptop from last night, executing the massive transfer of funds.
"Last night, Daniel attempted to transfer three of our core assets to Vanguard Holdings, a ghost company managed by his 'consultant' here. He thought he succeeded." I smiled. "He actually transferred them directly into an FBI sting operation account."
