Chapter 10 - MONDAY MORNING
Daniel called Bennett at once. Officers checked the hospital floor, reviewed visitor logs, and posted someone near Lily’s room. No one found the person who had taken the photograph.
Naomi wanted Daniel to skip the board meeting.
“If we don’t show up, Caroline and Victor will say you can’t face questions,” Daniel said.
“We can challenge anything they pass.”
“And the warehouse workers hear they’re losing their jobs after the deal is signed.”
He went.
Ruth came with him, carrying her agreement in a plain canvas bag. Evan stayed at the hospital with Lily.
Victor was already in the conference room. Caroline sat to his right in a cream jacket, a stack of folders in front of her.
“We all wish Lily a quick recovery,” Victor began.
“Then leave her out of this,” Daniel said.
Victor slid a document across the table. “The board needs to address your recent behavior.”
Naomi placed the family physician’s signed statement beside it. The doctor confirmed that she had never written the letter Victor had circulated.
Victor barely glanced at it. “We can investigate that separately.”
“We already are,” Naomi said.
Caroline leaned forward. “Daniel has accused me of hurting our daughter. He’s been calling people at all hours and hiding company records.”
“I hid one record,” Daniel said. “The resolution with my forged signature.”
One board member turned sharply toward Victor.
Naomi handed out copies. Ruth followed with the shareholder agreement.
Victor’s face tightened when he saw Ruth’s name.
“You told me that agreement expired,” a board member said to him.
“I believed it had.”
Ruth took the seat Naomi offered her. “You signed a letter acknowledging my share four years ago.”
For the first time all morning, Caroline looked unsure.
Then Victor recovered. “Even if Ruth has a vote, Daniel is still unfit to lead this company today. We can appoint Caroline while we sort out the paperwork.”
Daniel’s phone buzzed.
Evan had sent a photo. It showed Lily’s empty hospital bed, the covers pushed aside.
Beneath it was a message: SHE’S WITH YOUR WIFE’S DRIVER.
May you like
Daniel stood so fast his chair hit the floor.
Caroline looked at him. She saw his face change and reached for her phone.
