Grant rarely attended in person.
Catherine said:
“Mr. Irving.”
Brennan’s head snapped toward her.
Grant placed one hand on the table.
“For anyone who hasn’t met me, Grant Irving.”
No theatrical pause.
No declaration that every chair belonged to him.
Just:
“Irving Holdings controls Sterling & Associates.”
Then Grant looked at Brennan.
“This is my daughter.”
Silence.
Derek’s face collapsed.
Cole stopped breathing for what seemed like several seconds.
Trent closed his eyes.
Brennan stared at Iris.
“No.”
It came out almost involuntarily.
Iris said nothing.
Brennan looked at her intern badge.
Then Grant.
Then Philip.
“No.”
Philip whispered:
“Brennan.”
Brennan stepped backward.
“You’re telling me she—”
Grant interrupted.
“What I am telling you is that the environmental concern she raised will be reviewed before anyone discusses anything else.”
Catherine nodded.
“Agreed.”
Grant looked at Iris.
“Present what you found.”
Iris connected the documents.
She did not begin with Brennan.
She began with parcel numbers.
Public environmental records.
Historical industrial use.
Prior contamination notice.
Astoria report.
Brooklyn acquisition file.
Matching language.
Identical data.
Estimated remediation range from public consultant records and comparable cleanup cases.
Then metadata.
“The internal executive summary was last edited under Brennan Sterling’s account.”
Brennan exploded.
“That proves nothing.”
Iris turned.
“You’re right.”
The room went still.
She continued.
“It proves you edited the file.”
“It does not prove who created the underlying substitution.”
Catherine looked at her sharply.
That was a more disciplined statement than most executives would have made under pressure.
Iris continued.
“That is why I’m asking the board to halt the transaction and preserve all source documents for independent forensic review.”
Harold Jennings, another director, nodded.
“Seconded.”
Catherine said:
“I move that all acquisition activity be suspended pending independent environmental and document review.”
Another director seconded.
Unanimous.
Philip remained pale.
Brennan said:
“This is insane.”
Grant looked at him.
“What’s insane?”
“You’re taking the word of an intern.”
“No.”
Grant’s voice remained calm.
“We’re taking verifiable data seriously.”
Brennan pointed at Iris.
“She went looking for something against me.”
Iris stared.
“I was assigned to research the project.”
“No, you weren’t.”
Raymond Beck finally spoke.
“Yes, she was.”
Brennan turned.
Beck stepped forward.
“I posted the task.”
“I reviewed her original analysis.”
“I also found it strong enough to circulate.”
Brennan looked at his father.
“Dad.”
Philip said:
“Stop talking.”
That was the first time Brennan truly looked afraid.
Grant turned to Catherine.
“I also want a special committee formed today.”
“For what scope?” she asked.
“Environmental documentation.”
“Workplace conduct involving interns and junior staff.”
“Access control.”
“Any complaints involving Mr. Brennan Sterling.”
Philip’s head lifted.
“Grant.”
Grant looked at him.
“And executive oversight.”
That included Philip.
Everyone understood.
Brennan’s face hardened.
“This is because she’s your daughter.”
Grant stared at him.