Armand nods. Takes the papers. Smiles.
And I know exactly what's about to happen.
"It seems we need to address something immediately," he says. He slides the papers to Eleanor. "My legal counsel hasprepared documentation for an emergency board resolution. Given the serious questions about Simone's judgment and the company's exposure to scandal, I'm calling for a formal vote on her fitness to continue serving as CEO. As board members, we have a fiduciary duty to our shareholders. This scandal creates liability we can't ignore."
The room erupts. Board members talking over each other. Eleanor reading the documents with widening eyes. Henry demanding to see the papers.
I stay against the wall. Watching. He knew the preliminary evidence would be strong so he changed the battlefield. Moved it from evidence to fear—fear of scandal, fear of liability, fear of what the media will do to the company's reputation.
Tactical. Vicious. Exactly what I'd do if I were desperate enough to fund murder.
Simone sits perfectly still. Not reacting. Not giving Armand the satisfaction of seeing her rattled.
Eleanor finally looks up from the papers. "This is a formal motion calling for board vote on leadership. It cites recent revelations about Simone's personal conduct and argues they create material liability and reputational risk that compromise her ability to serve."
"That's insane," she says. "There's nothing in my personal life that affects my ability to run this company."
"The board will decide that," Armand says. "And I'm asking this board to act in the company's best interest and in accordance with our fiduciary duties. Remove Simone as CEO. Appoint me as interim. Temporarily. Until this matter is properly resolved."
"Absolutely not," Henry says. "This is corporate blackmail, not legitimate governance."
"Then put it to a vote," Armand replies. Still smiling. Still playing concerned family member. "Let the board decidewhether to proceed with business as usual or protect the company while these serious questions are resolved."
The board members look at each other. Uncertain. Some want to fight. Others want to protect the company from scandal. All of them cowards calculating which side will win.
"I move we table all votes until this matter is resolved," one of them says. Older woman, conservative suit. "We can't make leadership decisions while serious questions about judgment and liability are pending."
"Second," another board member adds.
Eleanor looks around the table. Counts support. "All in favor?"
Most hands go up. A couple stay down.
"Motion carries," Eleanor says. "No votes on leadership changes until this matter is resolved."
Simone's face is carved from stone but I read the fury underneath. The cold calculation. He just paralyzed her ability to lead without actually removing her. Brilliant move. Vicious. Exactly what I'd expect from someone willing to fund stalking and murder to steal what isn't his.
"When does the vote happen?" she asks. Voice too calm. Dangerous calm.
Eleanor checks the papers. "Armand's motion requests an emergency board session as soon as possible. Special meeting to address fitness to serve and potential leadership transition."
Soon as possible. Not much time to prepare for Armand dragging her private life into public scrutiny.
The meeting dissolves into chaos. Board members arguing. Henry on his phone with his litigation team. Armand accepting sympathetic handshakes like he's already won.
I move to her side. She's gathering materials, face expressionless.
"We need to leave," I say. Low voice. Command, not suggestion. "Media's waiting downstairs."
She nods. Lets me guide her toward the door. Henry falls in step.
"I need to prep for this," he says. "The board session will be formal but Armand will use it to attack everything. I can line up character witnesses. Professional references. Documentation of your leadership record and fiduciary responsibility."
"They're going to ask about Dominion," she says. "About my lifestyle. About Julien."
"Yes," Henry says. "And we'll address it directly. Consensual adult behavior. Private life separate from professional competence. You were the victim of illegal surveillance, not someone whose judgment is compromised. We frame it before they can weaponize it."
"Simone never consented to being photographed," I say. Low voice. Tactical. "The only reason any of them know about her private life is because Armand paid Julien to conduct illegal surveillance. Privacy violation. Criminal stalking."
