Chapter 4: The Meeting Behind Closed Doors
The elevator doors opened at 12:17 p.m.
Victoria Hargrove stepped into the executive conference room first.
Her fuchsia suit was still immaculate, but her hands were trembling. Ethan Cole followed closely behind, clutching his tablet against his chest. Martin Shaw, the company's chief financial officer, entered last.
None of them spoke.
At the far end of the conference table sat Richard Bennett.
Beside him sat James Walker, the company's general counsel.
And near the windows, Nia Bennett held her sleeping daughter.
Victoria stopped when she saw her.
“Mr. Bennett,” she began, forcing a smile.
“I wasn't expecting this to become such a formal discussion.””
Richard gestured toward three empty chairs.
“Sit down.””
Victoria sat.
Ethan pulled out his chair and placed his tablet on the table. Martin remained standing for another second before reluctantly taking his seat.
Richard folded his hands.
“Let's begin with something simple. Who authorized the removal of my daughter from the lobby?””
Victoria immediately raised her hand.
“I did, but only because I believed she was violating building security procedures.””
Richard stared at her.
“Did you verify her appointment?””
“I was informed that she had no authorization.””
“By whom?””
Victoria glanced at Ethan.
“Mr. Cole.””
Richard turned toward him.
“Did you check the visitor records?””
Ethan cleared his throat.
“Not personally, sir.””
“Then how did you determine she had no authorization?””
“I received information from the management office.””
“What information?””
Ethan shifted in his chair.
“I'm afraid I don't remember the exact wording.””
James opened a folder.
“Would this help?””
He slid a printed email across the table.
Ethan looked down.
His face changed.
Richard leaned back.
“Read it aloud.””
Ethan swallowed.
“Mr. Cole, please ensure the visitor identified as Nia Bennett is removed before the chairman's arrival. Do not permit her to access the executive floors.””
Richard nodded.
“And who sent that instruction?””
Ethan looked toward Victoria.
Victoria's jaw tightened.
“I sent it. But there was a reason.””
Richard's voice remained calm.
“What reason?””
Victoria straightened her jacket.
“Your daughter was not listed on the authorized executive visitor schedule. We had concerns about unauthorized access to confidential corporate information.””
Nia looked up.
“I had an appointment confirmation.””
Victoria turned toward her.
“I've already explained that the system—”
Richard raised his hand.
“You will not interrupt my daughter again.””
Victoria fell silent.
Nia adjusted Amara's blanket.
“I wasn't trying to access anything confidential. I was told to come upstairs at eleven. I showed the receptionist my confirmation. I asked you to call the executive office.””
She paused.
“Then you slapped me.””
Victoria looked down.
“I regret that the situation became physical.””
Richard's eyes hardened.
“That's an interesting way to describe striking a woman holding a newborn.””
Martin finally spoke.
“Richard, perhaps we should separate the personnel issue from the corporate matter. We have a major foundation announcement approaching, and this kind of public confrontation could damage the company.””
Richard slowly turned toward him.
“Public confrontation?””
Martin nodded.
“Investors are sensitive to reputational risks.””
Richard pointed toward Nia.
“That's my daughter.””
Then he pointed toward Amara.
“And that's my granddaughter.””
He looked directly at Martin.
“Are you seriously more concerned about investor confidence than the fact that a newborn was nearly dropped because one of my managers couldn't control herself?””
Martin adjusted his cufflinks.
“That's not what I'm saying.””
“Then explain what you are saying.””
Martin didn't answer.
James opened another folder.
“Perhaps we should discuss the foundation documents.””
He placed several pages on the table.
Victoria's eyes immediately moved toward them.
James continued.
“According to the draft organizational chart, Ms. Hargrove was listed as a proposed executive director of the Bennett Family Foundation.””
Richard nodded.
“Correct.””
Victoria quickly leaned forward.
“I was asked to prepare administrative proposals. I never represented that I had been appointed.””
James tapped the document.
“Then perhaps you can explain why your office requested access to the foundation's confidential budget projections.””
Victoria blinked.
“I was reviewing operational needs.””
“Why?””
“To prepare for the launch.””
“Who instructed you to do that?””
Victoria glanced at Martin.
He stared straight ahead.
Richard noticed.
“Martin?””
The CFO folded his arms.
“The foundation will be a significant corporate initiative. It makes sense that finance would review its structure.””
Richard nodded.
“Agreed. Finance should review it.””
He paused.
“But why was Victoria requesting documents directly from your department?””
Martin hesitated.
“Administrative coordination.””
James opened another page.
“Then perhaps you can explain this transfer request.””
He placed a printed transaction authorization in front of Martin.
Martin glanced at it.
His expression became unreadable.
Richard leaned forward.
“What is it?””
James answered.
“A proposed transfer of four million dollars from the foundation's initial operating reserve into a private consulting account.””
Nia looked up sharply.
“Four million?””
Richard stared at Martin.
“Did you approve this?””
Martin took a breath.
“It was a preliminary allocation.””
“An allocation to whom?””
“The consulting firm was supposed to provide strategic planning.””
James pointed to the recipient.
“Bennett Strategic Advisory LLC.””
Richard frowned.
“I've never heard of that company.””
Martin rubbed his forehead.
“It was recently established.””
“By whom?””
Silence.
James turned another page.
“The registered owner is Martin Shaw's brother-in-law.””
Nia stared at the documents.
Victoria suddenly stood.
“This is ridiculous. I have nothing to do with that transfer.””
Richard looked at her.
“Then why is your name on the authorization request?””
Victoria opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Then she pointed toward Martin.
“He told me it was part of the foundation's administrative preparation!””
Martin slammed his palm against the table.
“Don't drag me into your personal problems!””
Victoria recoiled.
“Your instructions are in writing!””
Richard watched them argue.
For a moment, the two people who had seemed so confident in the lobby looked like strangers desperately trying to escape a collapsing building.
James quietly collected the documents.
“I think we have enough reason to preserve all communications and suspend any pending financial transactions connected to the foundation.””
Richard nodded.
“Do it.””
Martin immediately objected.
“You cannot suspend finance operations without board approval.””
“I own the controlling interest in this company.””
“Not every decision belongs to you.””
Richard looked at him.
“Perhaps that's something we'll discuss with the board.””
Martin stood.
“I won't sit here and be accused of fraud without evidence.””
James looked up.
“Nobody has accused you of anything yet, Mr. Shaw.””
Martin picked up his briefcase.
“Then I'm leaving.””
Richard didn't stop him.
Instead, he said something that made Martin freeze.
“Before you go, answer one question.””
Martin slowly turned.
“What?””
“Did you know my daughter was scheduled to come here today?””
Martin's eyes flickered.
“I don't manage your personal appointments.””
“That's not an answer.””
Martin glanced at Ethan.
Then at Victoria.
Finally, he looked back at Richard.
“I knew there was a foundation meeting.””
Richard nodded.
“And did you know someone had instructed security to remove her?””
Martin hesitated.
“No.””
James placed a final document on the table.
“Your email account contains a message sent yesterday afternoon.””
Martin's face went pale.
James read the subject line.
“'Ensure Bennett family appointment is delayed.''”
Richard looked at him.
“Martin?””
The CFO slowly sat down again.
“I can explain.””
Richard's voice was quiet.
“Then I suggest you start.””
But before Martin could speak, Nia's phone vibrated.
She glanced at the screen.
A message had arrived from an unknown number.
You need to take your baby and leave Sterling Tower immediately. Your father doesn't know what these people are capable of.
Nia's stomach tightened.
She looked toward Richard.
“Dad?””
He turned.
“What is it?””
Nia showed him the message.
Richard read it twice.
Then James took the phone.
He examined the number.
His expression changed.
“Richard, this message came from an internal company device.””
Richard looked around the room.
Everyone was silent.
May you like
Then James added:
“And the device belongs to someone sitting at this table.””