“And if you had told me he was the original designer, we could have addressed the violation with context.”
Cameron’s voice sharpened.
“Context does not change rules.”
“No.”
Evelyn nodded.
“But motive changes advice.”
He stared.
“You weren’t protecting the car.”
“You were protecting yourself.”
“That’s dramatic.”
“You approved a false licensing representation.”
“False is not the correct legal characterization.”
“Our attorneys disagree.”
For the first time, Cameron lost color.
Evelyn continued.
“The German licensing discussion is suspended.”
“You cannot do that without board approval.”
“I already have board authorization for temporary suspension pending chain-of-title review.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You went to the board without me.”
“Yes.”
He almost smiled.
“Your father would never have done that.”
Evelyn felt the old reflex.
Defend herself.
Measure against Richard.
Then she let it pass.
“My father is dead.”
The room changed.
“I am CEO.”
“Not his daughter filling his chair.”
“Not your trainee.”
“CEO.”
She placed an envelope on the desk.
“You are on administrative leave effective immediately.”
Cameron stared at it.
“You’re making an emotional decision.”
“No.”
“This is the least emotional thing I’ve done all week.”
“You have forty-eight hours to cooperate with outside counsel.”
“Access to archives, licensing files, and engineering systems is suspended.”
“If the review confirms deliberate misrepresentation, the board will determine further action.”
Cameron looked at Mason’s drawing.
“He abandoned the company.”
Evelyn answered:
“And still came back to stop our driver from getting hurt.”
Cameron said nothing.
She opened the door.
The meeting was finished.
At seven the following morning, Evelyn drove to Mason’s apartment.
She wore no executive suit.
Dark trousers.
Wool coat.
Hair pulled back.
No assistant.
No company driver.
She held Richard’s letter in one hand and a folder in the other.
Luna opened the door.
Gear-print pajamas.
One sock.
Cog hanging from her hand.
She looked at Evelyn’s shoes.
Then up.
“Are you the lady from Dad’s old work?”
Evelyn blinked.
“Yes.”
“Did you fire him?”
Children.
“Yes.”
“That was stupid.”
“Luna.”
Mason appeared from the kitchen floor.
A toy car sat disassembled before him.
Luna pointed.
“I told her.”
“I heard.”
Mason stood.
“Play in your room for a few minutes.”
“But my axle.”
“I’ll fix it.”
“You said I should learn.”
“You can learn after.”
Luna looked at Evelyn again.
“You have nice shoes.”
“Thank you.”
Then disappeared.
Mason closed the door.
“You found the letter.”
Evelyn placed it on the table.
“Yes.”
He looked at the envelope.
Did not touch it at first.
“My father read it.”
“Dominic told me.”
“He intended to answer.”
Mason’s mouth tightened.
“I know.”