“That’s bullshit,” Leo said, his voice sharp enough to cut.
“Is it?” Henri pulled out a folder and distributed copies around the table. “Here’s documentation of the Gaming Commission complaint. The viral footage. Statements from investors threatening to pull funding. A detailed analysis of the reputational damage we’ve suffered in the past seventy-two hours.”
I scanned the documents in front of me. Everything Henri said was technically accurate, but it was framed to portray us in the worst possible light. Every decision we’d made, every choice, every moment of vulnerability—all weaponized against us.
“We’ve faced worse crises and survived,” I said, keeping my voice level. “This is manageable.”
“Is it?” Henri turned to Greg Andrews. “Andrews, you’ve been with us since the beginning. In your professional legal opinion, are the Kolykos brothers still fit to lead this company?”
Andrews looked uncomfortable, his gaze darting between Henri and us.
“I…the situation is certainly concerning. The Gaming Commission hearing represents a significant threat?—”
“That’s not an answer,” I said.
“—but I believe that with proper legal counsel and strategic communications, we can navigate?—”
“Andrews.” Henri’s voice was patient but firm. “Yes or no. Are they fit to lead?”
Andrew’s shoulders sagged. “No. Not given the current circumstances.”
The betrayal hit harder than I’d expected. Greg Andrews had been our attorney for seventeen years. He had celebrated our victories, weathered our crises, and stood beside us through every challenge.
And now he was voting against us.
“Sarah?” Henri asked.
Sarah Whitehorse wouldn’t meet my eyes. “I have a fiduciary duty to our investors. Given the current climate, I vote for new leadership.”
One by one, Henri went around the table. And one by one, the board members we’d worked with, laughed with, and trusted voted us out.
The final tally was six to three, with the three being Leo, myself, and me using Ares’s proxy.
“Then it’s decided,” Henri said, and I could hear the satisfaction in his voice even though his face remained professionally somber. “The Kolykos brothers are removed from executive management, effective immediately. I nominate myself as interim CEO until permanent replacements can be found.”
“Seconded,” Andrews said quietly.
“All in favor?”
Six hands rose.
“Congratulations, Henri,” I said, my voice like ice. “You’ve won.”
The conference room door burst open.
Ares stood there, breathing hard like he’d been running, his laptop under his arm and urgency written across his face.“Wait,” he said. “You need to hear this. I have information about Henri?—”
“We’ve seen what we need to see,” Sarah Whitehorse interrupted, already gathering her papers. “Between the money laundering incident and this latest scandal, we’re done with your management.”
“But Henri—” Ares started.
“Isn’t on trial here,” Andrews finished. “You are. And the board has made its decision.”
I watched Ares’s face as the reality sank in. Whatever he’d found, whatever evidence he’d uncovered—it was too late.
We were out.
Henri was in.
