Chapter 11: The Final Vote
Malcolm drove through the city faster than he had in years.
Not recklessly.
Not emotionally.
Focused.
The boardroom at Reed Enterprises was thirty minutes away.
But every second felt like a countdown.
Claire sat beside him.
She had refused to stay behind.
Again.
“You think they already voted?””
Malcolm looked ahead.
“No.””
“How do you know?””
“Because if they had, Adrian wouldn’t have called me.””
Claire considered that.
“He wanted you to know.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Malcolm was silent.
Because he knew.
Adrian didn’t just want control.
He wanted Malcolm to feel powerless.
He wanted him to watch.
The same way he believed Malcolm had made others feel.
When they arrived, the headquarters building was still lit.
Employees were leaving.
Security guards stood near the entrance.
Everyone looked nervous.
The news had spread.
Something was happening.
Inside the elevator, Claire looked at him.
“Dad.””
“Yes?””
“Whatever happens…”
He looked at her.
“Don’t become him.””
Malcolm understood immediately.
Don’t let revenge replace justice.
The elevator doors opened.
The boardroom was full.
Thomas Vale.
Elliot Graves.
Several executives.
And at the center of the room…
Adrian Cross.
Malcolm walked in.
The conversation stopped.
Thomas smiled.
“Malcolm.””
“You moved quickly.””
Thomas shrugged.
“Necessity.””
Claire stepped beside her father.
Adrian looked at her.
“Claire.””
She stared at him.
“You knew?””
“I know many things.””
“You knew I recorded the video.””
Adrian smiled.
“Yes.””
“Then why didn’t you stop me?””
“Because I wanted your father to see it.””
Malcolm looked at him.
“You planned everything.””
Adrian nodded.
“Almost.””
“What does that mean?””
Adrian looked toward the board.
“I needed the right moment.””
Thomas placed a document on the table.
“The board has reviewed the situation.””
Malcolm laughed softly.
“The situation.””
Thomas remained serious.
“The company is unstable.””
“Because of corruption.””
“Because of uncertainty.””
Elliot crossed his arms.
“Investors are concerned.””
Malcolm looked at him.
“You helped create the problem.””
Elliot looked away.
Thomas continued.
“The board believes new leadership is necessary.””
Claire looked around.
“You’re really doing this?””
Nobody answered.
That silence hurt.
Because silence was also a decision.
Malcolm walked toward the table.
“Before you vote, I want everyone to see something.””
Thomas frowned.
“What?””
Malcolm connected a device.
The screen turned on.
Security footage.
Financial records.
Emails.
Everything.
One by one, evidence appeared.
The room changed.
Board members whispered.
Thomas looked nervous.
“What is this?””
“The truth.””
Adrian smiled.
“You think evidence matters?””
Malcolm looked at him.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because unlike you, I don’t assume everyone wants to be lied to.””
Adrian’s expression darkened.
Malcolm turned toward the board.
“You were told this company was failing because of leadership.””
He paused.
“But the people saying that are the reason we have problems.””
Thomas stood.
“This is inappropriate.””
“No.””
Malcolm looked at him.
“This is accountability.””
Claire stepped forward.
“There’s more.””
Everyone looked at her.
She placed another file on the table.
“I found the original complaint reports.””
Daniel’s records.
Emily’s messages.
The hidden files.
All of it.
A board member picked up the documents.
“Why were these hidden?””
Nobody answered.
Because everyone knew.
The room erupted.
Questions.
Arguments.
Accusations.
For the first time in months, the people who controlled the company were forced to face what employees and customers had experienced.
Adrian watched Malcolm.
Not angry.
Almost impressed.
“You prepared well.””
Malcolm looked at him.
“I had help.””
“From who?””
The door opened.
Everyone turned.
Daniel walked in.
The room went silent.
Malcolm looked surprised.
Daniel stepped forward.
“I have something to say.””
Adrian’s face changed.
“Daniel.””
Daniel ignored him.
“I was part of this.””
The room went quiet.
“I helped hide information.””
He looked at Malcolm.
“And I’m sorry.””
Malcolm said nothing.
“I thought I was getting revenge.””
Daniel looked at Adrian.
“But I was just helping someone else hurt people.””
Adrian’s expression became cold.
“You’re making a mistake.””
Daniel shook his head.
“No.””
He looked around the room.
“I made one years ago.””
A board member stood.
“Mr. Reed, what do you recommend?””
Malcolm looked around.
The people who betrayed him.
The people who stayed silent.
The people who were manipulated.
Then he answered.
“I recommend an independent investigation.””
Thomas looked shocked.
“You’re not removing them?””
“Not yet.””
Malcolm looked at him.
“Justice is not the same as revenge.””
The room became silent.
Then the board began voting.
One by one.
The results appeared.
The removal motion failed.
Adrian watched the numbers.
For the first time…
He looked uncertain.
But then his phone buzzed.
He glanced at the message.
And smiled.
Malcolm noticed.
“What is it?””
Adrian looked up.
“Congratulations.””
That smile returned.
“You won this battle.””
Malcolm frowned.
“What battle?””
Adrian stood.
“The one you knew about.””
He walked toward the door.
Claire looked worried.
“Dad…”
Malcolm watched him leave.
Because Adrian wasn’t defeated.
Not yet.
And Malcolm realized something terrifying.
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The board vote was never the final move.
It was a distraction.
