PART5

He had changed into a different suit.

His tie was straight. His hair was carefully arranged. His expression had returned to the confident mask he wore whenever he believed an audience was watching.

Vivian sat beside him, even though she had no position on the board.

Lila was there, too.

The moment Julian saw me, he straightened.

“Finally,” he said. “Perhaps now we can put an end to this ridiculous spectacle.”

I took my seat at the head of the table.

“Good afternoon, everyone.”

The directors returned my greeting.

Julian remained standing.

“I assume you’re prepared to explain why the company’s headquarters has been sold without my approval.”

I opened the folder in front of me.

“The property was owned by Ashford Holdings, not by you personally. The transaction was authorized by the appropriate parties and completed in accordance with the governing documents.”

“You should have consulted me.”

“Your employment contract does not give you ownership of the property.”

“I am the CEO!”

“And I am the board chair.”

The room went quiet.

Vivian rose abruptly.

“This is a family matter! Surely we can settle this privately.”

I looked at her.

“No. The company’s finances, property, and governance are business matters. They will be handled through the appropriate process.”

She looked offended.

Julian pointed toward me.

“She is doing this because I divorced her. She wants to destroy me.”

I held his gaze.

“The divorce was your choice. The board’s decisions will be based on evidence.”

“You’re lying!”

One of the directors, a gray-haired man named Richard Hale, cleared his throat.

“Mr. Ashford, please sit down. We are here to review several serious concerns.”

Julian hesitated.

Then he lowered himself into his chair.

Richard opened the meeting.

The first item concerned the property sale and the company’s transition to a new headquarters under a lease agreement with the buyer. The arrangement had been negotiated in advance to protect operations, maintain access to essential facilities, and provide the company with additional liquidity.

Julian interrupted repeatedly.

He questioned the price, the timing, the legal structure, and the authority of the board.

Each time, Daniel provided documentation.

Each time, Julian’s objections became weaker.

Finally, Richard moved to the second item.

“The independent financial review.”

Julian’s face changed.

A consultant connected a laptop to the screen.

Numbers appeared.

Then bank transfers.

Then invoices.

Then a list of consulting companies whose services were under review.

The consultant explained that the investigation had identified approximately $1.7 million in payments requiring further verification. Some supporting documents were incomplete, and certain payments appeared inconsistent with the company’s normal procurement procedures.

No one accused Julian of a crime.

Not yet.

But no one looked comfortable, either.

Julian leaned forward.

“These were legitimate consulting expenses.”

“Then you should be able to provide the supporting documentation,” Richard replied.

“I have it.”

“Excellent. Please submit it to the independent investigators.”

Julian looked toward Lila.

For a fraction of a second, their eyes met.

It was brief.

But I saw it.

So did Daniel.

The consultant moved to the next slide.

It showed the proposed expansion project Julian had championed for nearly a year.

The projected costs were higher than the original estimate. Several financing assumptions had not been confirmed. The project depended on revenue that the company had not yet secured.

The consultant’s conclusion was measured but devastating.

Proceeding without revisions could expose the company to substantial financial risk.

Richard folded his hands.

“Mr. Ashford, why was this risk not clearly disclosed to the board?”

Julian swallowed.

“The market changed.”

“When did you become aware that the financing was uncertain?”

“I don’t remember the exact date.”

“You signed the report.”

“I signed dozens of reports!”

Richard’s voice hardened.

“And you were paid to understand what you signed.”

Julian pushed back his chair.

“This is a setup!”

“No,” I said quietly. “It’s a review.”

He turned toward me.

“You’ve wanted this since the day I asked for a divorce.”

I remembered that night.

His suitcase beside the door.

His confession that he had fallen in love with Lila.

His complaint that I had spent too many evenings working.

I remembered Vivian standing behind him, telling me not to make things difficult.

I remembered asking Julian one simple question.

Do you want to save our marriage?

He had looked at me as if I had asked him to surrender a fortune.

“No,” he had answered. “I want my freedom.”

Now, in the boardroom, I gave him the same honesty he had given me.

“Julian, I wanted my marriage to survive. I did not want your career to end. But I will not sacrifice this company to protect your reputation.”

He stared at me.

For once, he had no immediate answer.

Richard turned to the other directors.

“The board must decide whether Mr. Ashford should remain CEO while the investigation proceeds.”

The vote began.

One director.

Then another.

Then another.

When the final vote was counted, Richard announced the result.

“By a vote of seven to one, the board resolves to remove Julian Ashford from his position as chief executive officer, effective immediately, subject to the terms of his employment agreement and applicable procedures.”

Julian sat motionless.

Vivian’s hand flew to her mouth.

Lila stared at the table.

I felt no triumph.

Only relief.

Because the decision had not been made by a scorned wife.

It had been made by a board responsible for protecting a company and the people who depended on it.

Richard turned toward Julian.

“Your system access will remain suspended while the review continues. You will receive the formal documentation through legal counsel.”

Julian finally stood.

“You can’t do this!”

Richard’s expression remained calm.

“We have done it.”

Julian looked around the table, searching for a friendly face.

He found none.

Then he turned toward me.

“You planned everything.”

I closed my folder.

“I planned to protect the company.”

“You sold the building. You took away my job. You made me look like a criminal.”

“No, Julian. The investigation will determine whether any wrongdoing occurred. Until then, you are entitled to due process. But you are no longer entitled to make decisions on behalf of this company.”

His face twisted with anger.

“You’ll regret this.”

I looked at him for a long moment.

“No,” I said. “The thing I regret is that I waited so long to protect myself.”

He stormed out.

Vivian followed, shouting his name.

CONTINUE FOR NEXT PART6…