Chapter 3 - The Boardroom Ambush
When I pushed open the double oak doors of Boardroom A, the room was already filled with tension thick enough to slice with a knife.
At the far end of the thirty-foot mahogany table sat my father, Paul Preston. He wore his favorite charcoal bespoke suit, his hands folded calmly across a stack of thick blue folders. Flanking him were Arthur Vance, our chief legal counsel, and two forensic accountants from Deloitte whom I recognized from annual audit presentations.
To his right, looking distinctly out of place, were the Millers.
Tim was sitting casually, his expensive coat draped over the back of an ergonomic leather chair, his legs crossed at the ankle. Diane sat next to him, clutching a brand-new designer handbag—undoubtedly bought with an advance on the bonus Tim expected to receive today. Bryce leaned against the credenza near the back wall, looking smug in a tailored navy blazer, while Lauren sat nervously near the door, chewing on the end of a silver pen.
When the heavy door clicked shut behind me, Tim turned his head. His eyes widened slightly in surprise, then narrowed into an arrogant, pitying smirk.
""Jenna?"" Tim scoffed, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the polished wood. ""What are you doing here? Did you seriously follow me to work? Paul, with all due respect, I know she’s your daughter, but our marriage was dissolved ninety minutes ago. Bringing personal domestic drama into an executive strategy meeting is entirely inappropriate.""
""Quiet, Tim,"" Diane chimed in, a venomous smile curling her lips as she looked me up and down. ""She's just here to make a scene because she couldn't handle the truth on the courthouse steps. Go home, Jenna. The grownups are talking about business now.""
I didn't answer Diane. I didn't even look at her. I walked directly to the empty seat at the head of the table, directly to my father's left, pulled back the chair, and sat down.
""Jenna is here because she owns twenty-two percent of the voting shares of this company,"" my father said, his voice flat, icy, and entirely devoid of emotion. ""Which means, Tim, she has a higher security clearance and greater fiduciary authority in this room than you ever will.""
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Tim’s smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered, letting out an airy chuckle. ""Paul, come on. We’ve worked together for three years. I practically rebuilt your Great Lakes division. If this is about the divorce, let’s handle it like professionals. I’ve already submitted my resignation effective at the end of next month, along with my severance calculation and performance incentives.""
""You haven't resigned, Tim,"" Arthur Vance said, opening the top blue folder and sliding a single sheet of paper across the table. ""You were terminated for cause at eight-fifteen this morning.""
