Chapter 12 - THE BOARDROOM
The top floor of Warren Tower was surrounded by glass.
From the executive boardroom, the entire city appeared small and distant.
Twelve directors sat around a black marble table.
Julian stood at its head.
Arthur occupied a chair beside him.
His hands were bound beneath the table.
A bruise darkened his temple.
None of the directors could see the restraints.
Julian spoke calmly about instability, family tragedy, and the need for decisive leadership.
He claimed Celeste’s accusations were the result of combat trauma.
He displayed altered medical records describing hallucinations and violent behavior.
Several directors believed him.
Others pretended to believe him because their fortunes depended on Warren contracts.
“Arthur has agreed to resign,” Julian announced.
Arthur stared at the table.
The boardroom doors opened.
Celeste entered alone.
She wore a dark naval uniform.
The ribbons across her chest represented years Julian had erased from the family’s public story.
Every director turned toward her.
Julian smiled.
“You were instructed to come alone.”
“I did.”
Celeste closed the doors.
Julian looked toward the hallway.
No one followed.
“Release him,” she said.
“He is here voluntarily.”
Celeste approached the table.
“Then let him stand.”
Julian’s smile faded.
Celeste stopped beside Arthur.
She placed her hand on his shoulder.
Beneath the table, she felt the restraints.
“I’m sorry,” Arthur whispered.
Celeste did not answer.
Julian held up the scorched metal tag from the Valor.
Mercer must have taken it during the confusion at the pier.
“You came for this,” Julian said.
“I came for the man holding it.”
“The board has already voted.”
“Then they voted without hearing all the evidence.”
Julian laughed.
“What evidence?”
The screens around the boardroom activated.
Vivian appeared on every display.
Her face was bruised.
Her hands were tied to a chair somewhere inside the building.
“I recorded everything,” she said.
“I recorded Julian discussing Graywater, illegal shipments, and the death of Amelia Warren.”
Julian spun toward the control console.
He had not activated the screens.
Celeste looked directly at the hidden camera above the table.
“You asked me to come alone.”
She allowed herself a faint smile.
“You never said I couldn’t bring an audience.”
May you like
The red broadcast light switched on.
The entire meeting was being transmitted to federal investigators, military command, and every Warren employee in the building.
