Chapter 16 - The BoardroomTwo days later, Emily entered Whitmore Holdings headquarters.
Not as a maid.
Not as a guest.
As the controlling beneficiary.
The boardroom fell silent.
Eleven directors sat around a long table.
Richard stood at one end.
Michael sat at the other.
Victoria’s seat was empty.
Emily placed Anna’s legal order on the table.
“I am removing Michael Hale as trustee.”
Michael looked at her.
“You can’t do that unilaterally.”
The family attorney cleared his throat.
“Actually, she can.”
Michael’s face tightened.
Emily continued.
“I’m appointing an independent fiduciary.”
Richard looked surprised.
“Not me?”
“No.”
He nodded.
“Good.”
That answer earned the first small measure of trust Emily had given him.
Michael leaned back.
“You’re making a mistake.”
“Maybe.”
Emily sat.
“But it’ll be my mistake.”
The attorney distributed copies.
Then Emily looked around the table.
“I want a full forensic audit.”
One director frowned.
“That could destabilize the company.”
“Good.”
Richard almost smiled.
The man continued.
“Ms. Bennett, you don’t understand the scale of—”
“I understand that my great-grandfather stole from people.”
Silence.
“I understand the company benefited.”
No one moved.
“And I understand several of you knew there were legacy risks and decided not to ask questions.”
The director looked away.
Emily continued.
“I also want all criminal records preserved and transferred to independent counsel.”
Michael’s expression hardened.
“You’ll trigger investigations in five countries.”
“Then they should investigate.”
“Thousands of employees could lose jobs.”
Emily looked at him.
“That is the first useful thing you’ve said.”
He frowned.
She continued.
“So we protect employees while exposing wrongdoing.”
“You think it’s that simple?”
“No.”
Emily leaned forward.
“But complexity is not an excuse for silence.”
Richard watched her.
He looked proud.
That irritated her.
After the meeting, he caught up in the hallway.
“Your mother would have been proud.”
Emily stopped.
“You don’t get to say that yet.”
He nodded.
“You’re right.”
They walked toward the elevator.
Richard said, “Victoria’s hearing is tomorrow.”
Emily’s expression tightened.
“She asked to speak with you.”
“No.”
“She claims she has something Anna wanted.”
Emily looked at him.
“What?”
“She won’t say.”
“Then let her keep it.”
The elevator doors opened.
Richard didn’t move.
“Emily.”
She looked at him.
“Victoria is facing serious charges.”
“She should.”
“Yes.”
“But desperate people trade secrets.”
Emily stepped into the elevator.
Richard followed.
“What do you think she has?”
“The missing journal pages.”
Emily’s eyes narrowed.
“You think she’ll give them to me?”
“For something.”
“What?”
Richard looked grim.
“Probably leniency.”
Emily laughed once.
“She nearly drowned me.”
“I know.”
The elevator descended.
Richard continued.
“You don’t have to forgive her.”
“I won’t.”
“You don’t have to help her.”
“I won’t.”
“But hear what she has.”
Emily stared ahead.
The doors opened.
A man stood outside.
Early sixties.
Expensive suit.
Perfect posture.
He looked at Emily and smiled.
“Miss Bennett.”
Richard went completely still.
Emily noticed.
“You know him.”
Richard’s face darkened.
The man extended a hand.
“Samuel Cross.”
Emily didn’t take it.
Richard said quietly, “He worked for my father.”
Samuel smiled.
“I did more than that.”
Emily stared.
“What do you want?”
Samuel looked at her pendant.
“The same thing Charles wanted forty-seven years ago.”
Her pulse quickened.
“What?”
May you like
Samuel’s smile vanished.
“To make sure Eleanor’s bloodline never controls Whitmore.”
