Chapter 2: The Empire Answers

Chapter 2: The Empire Answers The following morning... Blackwood Global headquarters looked nothing like the Morrison mansion. There were no insults. No laughter. Only discipline. Every executive stood the moment I entered the boardroom. Dozens of directors rose simultaneously. "Good morning, Madam Chair." Brendan had entered through another door accompanied by legal counsel. Not because he still worked there. Because he had been ordered to appear. He looked exhausted. He hadn't slept. Neither had Diane. Arthur projected several security videos onto the wall. The first clip showed Diane dumping filthy water over my head. The second showed Brendan laughing. The third captured Jessica mocking my pregnancy. No one spoke. Arthur closed the file. "Gentlemen..." "These events occurred while the Chairwoman was attending what she reasonably believed to be a private family dinner." "The individuals involved are senior company officers." "Their conduct presents catastrophic reputational risk." One independent director adjusted his glasses. "What are the recommendations?" Arthur didn't hesitate. "Immediate termination." "For cause." "Permanent forfeiture of executive compensation." "Cancellation of all unvested stock." Brendan shot to his feet. "You can't destroy twenty years of my career over one dinner." I looked at him. "It wasn't one dinner." "It was years." "You simply forgot that every insult leaves a witness." Arthur pressed another button. Human Resources files appeared. Witness statements. Expense fraud. Abuse complaints. Suppressed investigations. Everything Brendan assumed had disappeared. It hadn't. Someone had preserved every document. Me. The vote lasted less than thirty seconds. Twelve hands. Twelve yes votes. Zero against. Arthur looked toward Brendan. "Your employment with Blackwood Global is terminated." "Effective immediately." Security politely escorted him from the room. For the first time in his life... No one followed him.

2 chapters