Malcolm announced that Northstar’s purchase agreement granted immediate governance control and full authority to protect company assets. The board had unanimously accepted the restructuring plan that afternoon.
Julian lunged for the stairs, but two security officers blocked him.
I closed the folder and looked down at the man who had treated my patience as weakness.
“The ownership announcement is over,” I said. “Now we can discuss your future.”
Part 3
Julian pointed at me with a shaking hand. “You can’t fire me. My contract guarantees five years of compensation.”
For the first time that evening, I smiled.
“Only if you’re dismissed without cause.”
Aurelia’s general counsel opened the black folder. She listed the findings without drama: fraudulent expense reports, undisclosed conflicts of interest, vendor kickbacks, destruction of audit emails, and misuse of company funds. Because Aurelia supplied components under federal contracts, the board had already referred the evidence to the appropriate authorities.
Camilla grabbed Julian’s sleeve. “You said the invoices were protected.”
His head snapped toward her. “Be quiet.”
That single exchange traveled through the ballroom like electricity.
