Chapter 10 - The Vote at Noon.
Adrian ordered security to confiscate every device, but Owen's phone remained beyond their reach.
Claire allowed herself to be escorted upstairs because resistance would strengthen Adrian's public story.
He seated her in a glass conference room beside the board chamber.
From there, she could watch the directors assemble to remove her.
Evelyn arrived in a structured gold jacket and accepted greetings like a returning monarch.
Adrian told reporters that the crisis would end within the hour.
Claire asked whether he was certain the bearer certificates were still secure.
He replied that frightened people often hid evidence in foolish places.
His confidence told her that the ventilation system would be searched soon.
She needed Rebecca to retrieve the documents first.
Claire asked for water and deliberately dropped the glass near the conference room intercom.
As a guard cleaned the floor, she pressed the call switch with her shoe.
The board chamber could now hear every word spoken beside her.
Adrian entered to offer one final arrangement.
If Claire resigned, accepted responsibility for the transfers, and remained silent about the Meridian Account, Owen would be released without accusation.
Claire asked what would happen to Naomi and Rebecca.
Adrian said disloyal professionals always found new careers eventually.
She asked whether Evelyn had authorized the entire plan.
His eyes shifted toward the boardroom glass.
“My mother authorized the future,” he said.
Claire pressed harder.
She accused him of using Evelyn as a temporary trustee before taking the money himself.
Adrian's restraint cracked.
He said Evelyn had spent thirty years believing the reserve belonged to her.
He called that belief useful but sentimental.
The board members heard him through the open intercom.
Evelyn entered the conference room with fury burning beneath her elegant composure.
She asked Adrian whether he intended to betray her.
Adrian immediately blamed Claire for manipulating the conversation.
Evelyn demanded to see the transfer certificate.
Claire produced the wet document from her sleeve.
It transferred the Meridian Account to Evelyn, but a hidden second page assigned Evelyn's interest to Adrian upon incapacity.
The definition of incapacity included any regulatory inquiry.
Adrian had planned to give his mother control for only a few minutes.
Evelyn struck the document from Claire's hand.
The boardroom doors opened.
Several directors demanded the vote be postponed.
Adrian signaled security to remove Claire.
Before anyone moved, every screen in the room displayed live video from the safe-deposit chamber.
Rebecca had accessed Owen's hidden phone.
The recording played Adrian asking where the original certificate was.
Reporters outside began receiving the same clip.
Adrian's public story started to fracture.
Then he smiled again.
He announced that the voice on the recording was synthetic, created with the same technology Claire claimed had framed her.
The directors hesitated.
Every proof could now be dismissed by pointing to another fabrication.
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At exactly noon, Evelyn called the meeting to order and cast the first vote against Claire.
THE BLACKWOOD ACCOUNTS
