“Viviana, to my knowledge, was a successful entrepreneur. She started a mechanical engineering company that built robots for assembly lines dedicated to small and delicate things that couldn’t be assembled with human hands. I was stunned to learn that she was working with the Russian government to share capture secrets and technology. But what really breaks my heart is her role in Cecelia Lancaster’s death. She’s not reached out to me since her arrest, and if she were to do so, I wouldn’t talk to her.”
“We understand that, but we’re concerned for the overall health of Diamond Analytics,” Trace Benedict, another board member, says.
“Good, because that’s what I’m here to sort out. What should we do?” I ask.
“We think you need to step down as CEO,” Trace says.
They’re coming out strong, but it’s time to do a gentle nudge back. They can’t take my options and ownership away, and they’re advisors. “Okay, but I own fifty-eight percent of the company. Currently, we don’t have anyone who can step into my shoes as CEO.”
Victor Mao, my chief financial officer, snorts.
It soon becomes evident that Trace and others are backing Victor to take over. That would be a bad idea. He’s frequently tried to suffocate the company by limiting expenses, and he doesn’t have a real grasp of our complicated P&L statement.
Mason levels a look at Victor. “You may have gone to Stanford for business school, but that doesn’t mean you’re ready to step into the role of CEO. Your last quarter and year-end financial statements were each corrected four different times by our outside accounting firm. If you can’t get those correct, how can you be trusted to run the company?”
Victor turns a lovely shade of pink.
“I believe,” Mason continues, “that we need to be careful of our next step. Wall Street is watching. If we knee-jerk and ask Mia to step down, we could lose our government contracts. According to the CFO at my investment firm, a drastic decision will send the message that our data has been compromised and will result in the stock crashing.”
Dillon Healy is the CFO at SHN, and he’s extremely well regarded. The board takes this information as gospel. There’s a collective murmur.
Two hours later, the board has gone round and round, but they’re no closer to determining what they want me to do.
I finally stand. “Ladies and gentlemen, I still don’t know how my best friend fooled me. But you all know me well, and I’ve always been aware of our relationship with the government. Despite being the largest individual stockholder, I will throw my voting rights for this decision to one of you.”
“Mason will automatically defer to you,” Alex Tuberville snarks.
“Okay, fine.” I tear a piece of paper from my notebook. Quickly, I make ten slips and write Yes on one of them. I clear out the fruit in the bowl next to the coffee maker. Handing the bowl to Peter, I say, “Peter, if you don’t mind, can you please have each person take a slip of paper from the bowl? Make sure they can’t see what they’re picking.”
Peter walks around the table, and I can see people getting restless. Once everyone has a paper, I ask, “Who got the yes?”
Alex raises his hand. I suppress an eye roll. He’s the person most likely behind the coup this morning. “Alex, looks like you get to vote my shares in this one instance. You can’t terminate my relationship with the company, but you can determine our next steps.”
Alex smiles. “I vote that Mia Couture is put on a three-month temporary leave as CEO while she works through the issues caused by her close relationship with Viviana Prentis and the impact it has on the company. Anyone disagree?”
Mason stands. “I disagree with Alex. I think that decision would leave us vulnerable to a hostile takeover.”
Alex smiles. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. He has enough shares to negotiate for a large payout. This company isn’t his life’s work.
Sandra Collins, the first female CEO of German Bank, looks around the room. “Is anyone else concerned that we’re policing Mia’s friends? Doesn’t that sound overreaching and intrusive?”
Jennifer Wisk, the head of an international public relations firm, says, “I agree. What are we going to police next?”
In the end, Alex squeaks through my temporary leave under the guise that I’ll be distracted. He says he and Victor Mao will work with Jim and Clear Security to finish the investigation with the FBI and the three government audits we’re facing. The fact that I’m stepping back but not leaving should keep our stockholders happy.
I stand. “I want to thank all of you for being here. I know this decision was not an easy one. I’m devastated by the betrayal of one of my closest friends, and I appreciate your understanding while we get this under control.”
I turn and walk out, leaving Jim, Gage, and Mason behind to clean up the mess with the board. Peter walks out with me and calls the elevator.
“Where to?” he asks as we walk to the car.
“Home,” I tell him. “I started a project I’d like to finish.”
Chapter 2
Axel
I throw my pen down on the desk. Today is the five hundred and twenty-sixth day I’ve worked without a day off. But who’s counting? I blame it not only on my demanding clients but also because I work from home. I’ve lived in San Francisco for almost two months now, but I don’t have many friends. I spend my days glued to my desk.
Staring outside, I take in the stunning bay. I have what they call a bridge-to-bridge view. To my left, I can see the spires of the Golden Gate Bridge, and my panorama of over one hundred and eighty degrees gives me the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island
