The Chairman at the Podium
Chapter 09 - The Chairman at the Podium
While Audrey fought to communicate, Victor Shaw stood before the Vale Biomedical board and announced that the company faced a leadership emergency.
He expressed sorrow over the accident and concern about Audrey’s prognosis. Then he proposed a temporary restructuring that would transfer executive authority to him until her condition improved.
The proposal also authorized the sale of the company’s public-treatment division.
The buyer was a private investment fund connected to Mason’s shell corporations.
Victor expected the board to approve the deal quickly. He warned that uncertainty could damage stock value and jeopardize research programs.
Arthur Bellamy, the Vale family attorney, entered before the vote.
He carried Audrey’s unsigned trust amendment and a statement from Dr. Hart confirming she was alive and responsive.
Victor called the response medically unreliable.
Then Margaret walked into the boardroom.
Several directors had not seen her since Daniel’s funeral. Victor once described her as too emotional for corporate decisions.
Margaret placed the blue drive on the table.
“You told my daughter she had to isolate me because I was a danger to the company,” she said. “You told me she hated me because I questioned Mason.”
Victor maintained his calm.
He said Mason had deceived everyone. He denied knowledge of the crash or financial transfers.
Arthur played the recording from the drive.
Victor’s voice discussed removing Audrey before the wedding if she refused the restructuring. He did not mention murder directly, but he told Mason to “solve the beneficiary problem permanently.”
Victor called the audio fabricated.
The board postponed the vote and appointed an independent committee.
Victor attempted to leave.
Federal investigators waited outside.
They had not yet charged him with conspiracy, but a judge authorized a search of his office and the White Room.
Victor surrendered his company key.
It did not fit.
The lock had been changed twelve hours earlier.
Security records showed the maintenance request came from Audrey’s account while she lay unconscious.
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Someone inside the hospital was still accessing her credentials.
And whoever it was had just sent an order to destroy every file in the White Room.
