Chapter 7 - THE BOARDROOM COUP
Nathan arrived at Cole Meridian headquarters with Grace beside him.
She wore a sling.
She also wore the same black coat she had owned five years earlier.
It reminded Nathan how much time had been stolen.
The boardroom doors opened.
Robert Cole sat at the head of the table.
Victoria's father, Arthur Ashford, sat beside him.
Nathan stopped.
"You're not on my board."
Arthur smiled.
"Not yet."
Robert cleared his throat.
"Nathan, given recent questions about your conduct and a possible paternity scandal, we believe temporary leadership is necessary."
Nathan laughed.
"My conduct?"
Robert slid a folder forward.
Inside were police reports claiming Nathan had harassed Grace for years.
Photographs appeared to show him following her.
Emails showed threats.
All fake.
All professional.
Grace stared at them.
"This is what Charles did to me."
Arthur said, "Or perhaps the two of you deserve each other."
Nathan looked at him.
"Your daughter attacked a four-year-old."
"Allegedly."
"She admitted knowing Lily existed."
Arthur's smile faded.
The board vote began.
Nathan lost by one.
Robert became interim CEO.
Security approached Nathan.
He looked at Owen.
Owen did not move.
Robert said, "Escort him out."
Owen removed his Cole Meridian badge and placed it on the table.
"I don't work for you."
Nathan almost smiled.
Then Grace did something nobody expected.
She walked to the conference screen and connected her phone.
The audio from Denise Ward's recorder filled the room.
Charles.
Hale.
Eleanor Ashford.
If the child survives long enough...
Arthur's face changed.
Robert stood.
"Turn that off."
Grace did not.
Board members began whispering.
Nathan looked around the table.
"You can remove me as CEO."
He pointed to the speakers.
"You cannot vote that recording out of existence."
Robert leaned toward him.
"You have no idea what you're doing."
"I know exactly what I'm doing."
"You're destroying your mother's legacy."
Nathan stared at him.
"My mother didn't build this lie."
Robert's expression shifted.
Too late.
Nathan caught it.
"What do you know about my mother?"
Robert said nothing.
Grace watched him.
"He knows something."
Nathan stepped closer.
"Tell me."
Robert looked toward Arthur.
Arthur gave the smallest shake of his head.
Nathan saw it.
"Tell me."
Robert whispered, "Claire didn't die from cancer."
Nathan's world stopped.
"What?"
"She had cancer. But that isn't what killed her."
Nathan grabbed the table.
"What killed her?"
May you like
Robert looked him in the eye.
"She found out who your real father was."
