Page 131 of Collateral Damage
As much as I want to march into Lance Vale’s office and demand answers, and as much as I want to fire Jonathan’s scheming ass, I decide to go a different route.
I’m going to kill them with success.
Not kindness, as the saying goes.
Kindness is the last thing I feel toward those men. Rage is a more appropriate word. I’m sure I could kill them with that. Gladly. But I’d rather not spend my life behind bars.
It’s been two weeks, and I haven’t said a word about the venue cancellation to either of them. I’ve also asked Miriam to keep it to herself. I’m proving my worth in this job, like I’ve done time and time again.
In the last two weeks I’ve pulled off the impossible—securing a new venue at a large modern art gallery with enough space to fit our guests and calling in favors with my favorite vendors who love me as much as I love them. All for the first Saturday in October.
All that, and I still kick ass producingTop of the World.
I’ve been extra careful, changing my passwords but still using my personal phone, computer, and email address to handle vendor communications, as well as stressing that any cancellations must be done in person. I’m not about to make the same mistake.
Mom has called an emergency meeting with the board on my behalf. We’re going to explain everything that’s been going on with Lance Vale and his nephew, and if we’re lucky, they’ll be gone by tomorrow.
The board comprises nine members, but the bylaws require a supermajority for big decisions, which is seven out of nine votes. Lance Vale hasn’t been able to get seven yet, and I’m determined he never will.
Mom is only one vote, representing our family. Her vote used to belong to Dad. One day, it will go to us kids.
I’m greeted with the sharp scent of polished wood and the faint aroma of expensive cologne. Ten faces stare back at me, some icy, some curious, and others friendly. Mom sits at the far end of the table. Her hands are folded neatly over her lap, and her hair and makeup are done to perfection. She’s a mirror to me, exactly what I’ll look like in twenty-five years, and I use her natural sophistication as a boon to my nerves.
I can do this.
Ihaveto do this.
Lance Vale is also at the table—the tenth face here. He sits to Mom’s right and watches me with sharp understanding, his smirk twitching. He knows what he did, so I’m certain he knows what this emergency meeting is all about.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” I start. “Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to be here. This matter is important. We need to talk about Mr. Vale.”
I motion to Lance, and his face hardens. “What do you have to say, Sybil? I’m curious.”
The room shifts, a ripple of unease moving through the group like falling dominoes. When Lance leans in his chair with smug confidence, I focus on why I’m here.
“I’ve hired an outside law firm specializing in cyber security and IT to do an internal investigation,” I state. “Two minutes ago, I emailed all of you the results of that investigation. In it, you will see I have undeniable proof that Lance Vale has been illegally accessing my company computer and phone, reading private emails, and more alarmingly, attempting to sabotage the foundation work.”
Gasps punctuate the room, but Lance doesn’t even flinch. He glares at me, loathing in his eyes, then his face clears, making room for a look of shock.
“What is this you’re accusing me of? I have done no such thing.”
I ignore him. “I have timestamps of the unauthorized access, as well as emails sent to outside contacts, sharing confidential information meant to undermine my role and my family’s legacy of Laurence International.”
Vance shakes his head. “This is a setup. What she’s claiming is not true.” He gives me a pointed look. “After all my mentoring? I guess it’s true that nepotism breeds incompetence. You’re not as good at your job as you think you are, Sybil. That’s what this is really about.”
The comment stings, but I refuse to let it bother me for long. I’ve got him, and he knows it.
“Enough.” Chairwoman Crandall holds up her hand. She turns to me. “You’ve made some serious accusations. What of this sabotage against the foundation that you speak of? Where is your proof?”
I chronicle what happened with the hotel cancellation and how I’ve worked overtime to make the changes necessary.
Vale shakes his head. “That wasn’t me. How prosperous to assume I’d even care about such a thing.”
Mom finally speaks up, her eyes narrowed and her tongue sharp. “If it wasn’t you, Lance, then it was your nephew you forced on Sybil as her new hire. Either way, it would’ve been under your direction, and it’s obvious you’re a hypocrite who wants your nephew in Sybil’s spot.”
Lance has the audacity to look hurt. “I’ve known you for decades, Amelia. The fact that you are betraying me now is not only shocking, it’s hurtful.”
Mom’s eyes narrow. “Then you must know how it feels to be a Laurence. Ever since my husband was killed, you’ve stopped at nothing to secure your place as CEO and push my family out of our namesake. There’s a reason you haven’t been able to gain a supermajority. You will never live up to Gregory’s legacy. He was twice the CEO you’ll ever be.”
