It supported hundreds of families. It manufactured components that keep aircraft safely in the sky. It was never meant to be your personal treasure chest." He flinched as if I'd struck him.
"I know that now." "Do you?" I studied him carefully. "Or are you simply sorry you were caught?"
Anger flashed briefly in his eyes before subsiding into something more complex. "Both," he admitted with unexpected honesty. "I'm sorry I was caught. I'm sorry I betrayed dad's trust.
I'm sorry I treated you like an afterthought rather than a partner in everything this company achieved." The words were right, but something in his tone rang hollow. The practiced contrition of a man calculating his options rather than confronting his failures. "The plan I'm presenting to the board offers you a choice."
I said. "You can remain with Bradford Precision in a non-executive capacity, working under close supervision to repair the damage you've caused, or you can resign completely, facing whatever legal consequences the board determines appropriate." Oliver's expression tightened. "Non-executive capacity?
You're demoting me from CEO to what? Some middle management position? After 15 years building this company alongside dad?" "Alongside?"
I echoed. "Is that how you remember it? Because the financial records tell a different story. They show a systematic pattern of self-enrichment at the company's expense.
They show decisions that prioritized your personal gain over employee security and corporate stability." "I increased profits by 30%," he protested. "The McNally contract alone." "The McNally contract you skimmed $5 million from?"
I interrupted. "The same contract whose actual value you misrepresented to the board?" He fell silent, calculation visible behind his eyes. "What exactly would this non-executive capacity entail?"
"One year working in production," I replied. "Learning the practical implications of executive decisions on the people who actually build our products. Following that, a possible position in operations management depending on performance evaluation and demonstrated ethical judgment."
"Production?" Incredulity replaced calculation. "You expect me to work on the factory floor? With my qualifications?
My experience?" "Your experience in corporate finance hasn't served the company particularly well," I noted. "Perhaps hands-on experience with the actual work that generates our revenue would provide valuable perspective."