Victor's expression tightened. "The past cannot govern present strategy."
"Then we should stop repeating it," Charlotte replied.
Helen presented the conflict disclosure request. Victor had received it the night before but had not provided a complete response. She explained the documented ownership connection between his family trust and Horizon Mobility Capital, a bidder now proposing to acquire an interest in Bennett's advanced technology division at a discount justified by the delayed launch. Several directors began speaking at once. Judith raised a hand and asked Victor to explain why the relationship had not been disclosed before he advocated entertaining the offer.
"It's a diversified holding," Victor said. "I'm not involved in Horizon's daily management. This is an outrageous attempt to damage my credibility while the CEO's new favorite mechanic feeds her sentimental stories."
"I haven't asked anybody to believe a story," Evan said. "I've brought evidence."
Victor turned toward him. "Young man, you are an employee who has been here less than two weeks. You are not qualified to instruct this board."
Evan looked at the polished table, the lawyers, and the people who had built careers protecting the idea that importance lived in titles. "You're right about one thing," he said. "I'm a mechanic. I don't know how to run a board meeting. But I know that when a machine fails, you inspect the part that doesn't behave as it should. You don't blame the first person standing nearby."
For a moment the only sound was the faint hum of the building's air conditioning. Charlotte remembered Daniel saying something similar to Richard in the old conference room. There was no applause, no dramatic acknowledgment, only a few directors slowly turning their attention toward the man who had begun the meeting at the head of the table.
Priya brought up the preserved access records. The account used to export the prototype files had been authenticated through the executive suite, and Colin Pike's badge had been used during the relevant period. The investigation also uncovered instructions for preparing a valuation package containing the same technical assets targeted by Horizon's offer. The instructions had been sent through an account controlled by Victor's office.
"That's not proof I authorized theft," Victor said sharply.
"No," Helen replied. "It's evidence requiring explanation. We are preserving it and requesting an independent interview. The audit committee has also referred the potential unauthorized transfer to the appropriate authorities."
Victor pushed back his chair. "This meeting is over. We are not going to turn a commercial decision into a personal trial."
"The meeting hasn't been adjourned," Judith said. "And you are recused from the discussion concerning your disclosed interest until the independent directors determine the appropriate procedure."
Victor stood, his face hardening. "You cannot remove the chairman on the word of a mechanic."
Charlotte met his gaze. "Nobody is asking them to. They're looking at documents you haven't explained."