I took a long breath to steady myself as I stood outside the boardroom, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife. Everything would finally come to a head on this day. We'd come this far through months of uncovering secrets, avoiding danger, and playing a careful game of survival. The stakes had never been higher, but Leo Jaxon's corrupt regime was set to implode. Knowing that there wouldn't be a second chance if we failed made me feel as though it were all weighted against me.
Amelia had already entered and was chatting with some of the early-arriving board members. Despite the storm raging beneath the surface, I could see her composed and every bit the formidable CEO through the glass walls, controlling the company. Even though her face was unreadable, a mask of professionalism, I was familiar enough with her by this point to notice the slight stiffness in her shoulders and the way her fingers were clenched around the edge of the table. Like me, she was apprehensive. Not only did her future depend on this encounter, but Prospera Corporation's as well.
I looked down at the folder we had laboriously collected, and it was full of proof. Evidence of Leo's shady business dealings, his mismanagement of the company's finances, and his schemes to subvert Amelia's authority and take over. This was the decisive factor, the weapon we required to eliminate him permanently. However, it would be a completely different story to convince the board to see it and believe it.
Attempting to convey the same composed confidence that Amelia exuded so readily, I pushed open the door and entered the boardroom. As I walked in, all eyes were fixed on me, and I felt the weight of their attention. I was the quiet person who stayed in the background, Amelia's intern, as most of these folks knew me. My past, my abilities, or my part in uncovering the plot against Amelia were unknown to them. And that was precisely how we desired it to be.
"Lucas," Amelia nodded and said hello in a steady tone. "Are we set up?"
I nodded and sat down next to her. "Everything is set up properly."
She remained silent for a while, but I could see the slight relief flash in her eyes. We would confront whatever came next together because we were in this together.
One by one, the board members approached the huge mahogany table and took their seats. Among the last to arrive, Leo greeted his colleagues with a rehearsed smile and a firm handshake, maintaining his typical arrogant expression. His confidence was radiating off him in waves, and he hardly even looked in my direction. He believed he had everything under control and that his job at the corporation was safe.
What was about to hit him was unknown to him.
Amelia declared the meeting to order when everyone had taken their seats. The board members paid close attention to her when she presented the agenda because of her confident and authoritative tone. As we approached the main event, I noticed a change in the vibe in the room, even though it was business as usual, with reports on quarterly earnings and updates on ongoing projects. Everyone anticipated a major event.
Amelia looked around the room and cleared her throat when the moment was right. "There is one last item that needs to be addressed before we wrap up today's meeting," she stated in a composed and businesslike manner. It has come to my knowledge that some employees of this company have been involved in actions that not only go against Prospera's code of ethics but also jeopardize the organization's stability as a whole.
There was a rippling disquiet about the atmosphere. I noticed a few board members looking at each other, their interest piqued. On the other hand, Leo stayed still, maintaining a deliberately neutral attitude. His eyes flickered with mistrust, but he was too experienced to react too quickly.
When Amelia gave me a nod, I got up and took the floor. The board members turned to face me, and as I started to speak, I could feel the weight of their stares.
I said, maintaining a calm tone, "We have conducted an internal investigation into certain irregularities within the company over the past several months." We discovered that a senior board member had masterminded a slew of immoral actions. These actions include insider trading, embezzlement, and attempts to topple the company's leadership personally.
Around the table, I saw the reactions, which included wide-eyed incredulity, whispers, and horrified gasps. Leo's countenance deepened, but he said nothing and stared at me intensely and icily.
I went on, setting the evidence folder on the table and sliding it toward the middle. "This individual has been using their position within Prospera to manipulate company resources and engage in secret dealings with outside interests," I said. "Bank statements, emails, meeting minutes, all of it is recorded in these files. There is no denying the evidence.
An elderly man with gray hair and a furrowed brow was one of the board members who grabbed the folder and started looking through the papers. The muttering became louder as more board members leaned in to study the data. The tension was mounting, like a powder keg ready to burst.
At last, Leo uttered a low, measured voice. "Lucas, these are serious accusations. You really ought to have more than simply hunches.
I met his stare without flinching. Everything is in place. Through shell businesses, you have been embezzling money, taking advantage of insider information to take advantage of Prospera's market swings, and arranging agreements to weaken Amelia's authority.
Leo glanced at Amelia, his jaw clenching as his façade of composure started to break. He yelled, "This is ridiculous." Are you under the impression that you can just walk in here and make unfounded accusations? I've given this company my all for many years.
"Faithfulness?" The room was sliced open by Amelia's voice like a knife. She got up from her chair and fixed an intense, cold stare on Leo. "You refer to this company's loyalty as embezzling millions? Do you mean to try to make me give up my position of loyalty?
With every eye on the two of them, the room went silent. There was no more bluster, but Leo's cheeks heated with rage. He understood the game was over.
Amelia raised her voice and said, "I built this company from the ground up." "I have battled valiantly to maintain its viability and to guarantee its triumph." You have been dismantling it behind my back for your self-rest, all the while. After everything you've done, do you believe the board will still support you?
Leo scoffed, losing his temper. "Amelia, you've always been overly sensitive. Too preoccupied with your demand for total control. Business, however, is not about feelings. Power is at issue. And I intended to accept it.
I stepped forward and said, "Leo, that's where you're wrong." "Because power is nothing without integrity. And everything is about to go away from you.
The board members had already begun whispering to one another and exchanging the folder. Their behavior had changed, and it was obvious to me that they had realized Leo was a phony and had tricked them.
With a stern voice, Amelia glanced at the board. "I propose to start legal action against Leo Jaxon for fraud and embezzlement and to remove him from his role as a board member."
Voting was quick and unanimous. It was over for Leo Jaxon.
I glanced at Amelia as the meeting came to an end. The war had not yet been won, but the battle was finished. There were still unresolved matters to complete and obstacles to overcome.
For now, though, we were ahead.