You told your assistant not to interrupt you.
You used company money for personal expenses.
You approved questionable paymenTS.”
After 144 hours away with another woman, he finally remembered his pregnant wife. His shaken assistant told him, “Sir, your wife had a serious medical emergency and lost the baby. She has already signed the divorce papers and left.”
I paused.
“Which mistake would you like me to overlook first?”
His expression hardened.
“I didn’t know you were in danger.”
“You chose not to find out.”
That affected him more than shouting ever could have.
Then he tried the argument I expected.
“If you remove me, the company collapses.
Investors trust me.”
My lawyer turned on the television.
Financial news was already reporting Vale Meridian’s official statement.
The CEO had been suspended.
An interim chief had been appointed.
And the controlling shareholder had publicly reaffirmed support for the company.
The stock dipped briefly after the announcement.
Then it began recovering.
Adrian stared at the screen.
“You planned this.”
“I prepared for it,” I said.
“There’s a difference.
”
Three weeks later, the forensic audit uncovered far more than Celeste’s questionable retainers.
