Chapter 9 - The Trap
The emergency board meeting was called for 9:00 a.m. on Friday.
Richard Sterling stood at the head of the table, looking incredibly pleased with himself. He was mid-speech, demanding Marcus’s permanent termination and questioning Evelyn’s leadership, when the heavy oak doors swung open.
Marcus walked in, wearing a sharp grey suit, looking completely unfazed.
"Security!" Richard barked. "What is a suspended employee doing in this building?"
"He is here at my invitation," Evelyn said smoothly, remaining seated. She tapped a button on her tablet.
The massive presentation screen behind Richard flickered to life. It didn't show the flawed blueprints. It showed the encrypted IT logs, alongside a forensic financial audit tracing payments from Richard’s personal accounts to a shell company that specialized in corporate cyber-espionage.
The boardroom erupted into chaos.
Richard turned pale, stepping away from the screen. "This is fabricated! Evelyn, you're framing me to protect your lover!"
"I am exposing a parasite who tried to destroy my company and frame an innocent man to do it," Evelyn said, her voice echoing like thunder in the room. She stood up, commanding absolute silence. "I have already forwarded these documents to the SEC and the local authorities. You are terminated, Richard. Effective immediately. And I suggest you secure a very good defense attorney."
Two corporate security guards stepped into the room, flanking a terrified, sputtering Richard, and escorted him out.
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The remaining board members sat in stunned silence.
Evelyn adjusted her suit jacket, entirely unruffled. "Marcus Thorne is reinstated as lead architect, with a public apology from this board. Now, if there is no other business, I have a building to construct."
