Chapter 14 - THE FAMILY VOTE
Nicholas stayed in my chair until Martin asked him to move.
That small humiliation seemed to bother him more than the allegations.
Vivian began with concern.
She described my accident, sleeplessness, erratic hours, and refusal to accept help.
Then Elaine distributed the independent medical report, laboratory findings, and formal objection to the proxy.
“This board is not being asked to diagnose Mr. Moretti,” she said. “It is being asked to reject an invalid proxy and examine a conflicted transaction.”
Martin confirmed that Vale’s assessment failed the agreement’s independence requirement.
Vivian’s voting authority had never properly activated.
“That’s a technicality,” Nicholas snapped.
“It’s a condition you agreed to,” Martin said.
Peter presented the original option and the altered vendor copy.
He showed the transfers, their lack of supporting assets, and Nicholas’s ownership interest in Harbor Renewal Partners.
The directors asked questions.
Peter answered with records rather than outrage.
Then Frank played the bedroom footage.
Vivian entered, reached into her pocket, lifted the glass, and noticed the camera.
“I was bringing vitamins,” she said.
Elaine placed a photograph of the seized journal beside the lab summary.
“Your explanation will go to the investigators. This board should preserve these records and suspend your access pending review.”
Nicholas pushed back his chair.
“You’re destroying everything Dad built.”
“No,” I said. “I’m opening the books.”
Vivian looked directly at me.
“After everything I sacrificed?”
“What did you sacrifice?”
“My life. My time. I stayed when you needed someone.”
“You made sure I kept needing someone.”
For the first time, she had no immediate answer.
The vote was unanimous.
The sale was halted.
Nicholas and Vivian lost their company access and authority.
An independent financial review was commissioned, and the evidence was referred to investigators.
In the hallway, Vivian caught my sleeve.
“We can work this out at home.”
I gently removed her hand.
“I don’t have a home with you anymore.”
Two investigators waited near the elevators.
They asked Vivian and Nicholas to accompany them regarding the search findings and financial evidence.
Their lawyers were already being contacted.
Vivian’s fingers closed over the silver bird.
“You’ll be alone,” she said.
I looked past her at Elaine, Peter, and Frank.
“Maybe sometimes.”
Then I walked away.
May you like
Behind me, my sister finally said the words she had avoided for three years.
“I never meant for it to go this far.”
