Chapter 4 — The Emergency Boardroom
Chapter 4 — The Emergency Boardroom
At 8:00 AM the following morning, Jasper arrived at the glass-and-steel headquarters of Lawson Technologies. Without his luxury SUV, he had been forced to take an Uber, arriving ruffled, stressed, and exhausted after a sleepless night on his sofa.
He pushed through the revolving glass doors, expecting the usual chorus of respectful greetings from his front-desk staff. Instead, the lobby was eerily quiet. Employees were gathered in small clusters, speaking in hushed, anxious whispers.
"Mr. Lawson," Chloe ran up to him the moment he stepped off the elevator on the executive floor. Her face was pale. "The board of directors... they’re all here. They’ve been in Executive Conference Room A since seven."
"Who called a board meeting without my approval?" Jasper demanded, straightening his designer suit jacket. "I am the CEO and Founder!"
"They didn't ask for your approval, sir," Chloe whispered nervously. "They were summoned by the majority shareholder."
Jasper shoved open the heavy oak doors of the conference room. "What is the meaning of this—"
The words died in his throat.
Sitting at the head of the long mahogany table—in the exact chair Jasper always occupied—was not one of his usual board members. It was Arthur Vance, Senior Managing Partner at Vance & Sterling and the chief legal counsel for Robertson Global Corporation.
Flanking Arthur were six senior forensic accountants and the entire remaining board of Lawson Technologies.
"Good morning, Mr. Lawson," Arthur said calmly, adjusting his wire-rimmed glasses. "Please, take a seat. Though I suggest you don't get too comfortable."
"Arthur?" Jasper stammered, trying to regain control of his breathing. "What are you doing in my company's boardroom? This is an illegal intrusion!"
"On the contrary, Jasper," Arthur replied, opening a sleek black leather portfolio. "Under Section 14-B of the Primary Investment Agreement executed four years ago, Robertson Global Strategic Ventures holds sixty-one percent of all voting shares in Lawson Technologies. The agreement explicitly states that in the event of personal misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, or insolvency risks, Robertson Global reserves the right to immediately assume executive control."
"Misconduct? Insolvency?" Jasper laughed nervously, looking around at the board members. "Guys, tell him this is crazy! We just closed our Series B funding!"
None of the board members met his eyes.
"Series B funding that was ninety percent underwritten by Robertson Global," Arthur corrected smoothly. "Which brings us to the financial audit conducted early this morning."
Arthur tapped a tablet screen, and a massive presentation illuminated the board room's displays.
"Over the past thirty-six months, you have appropriated over three million dollars in corporate funds for non-business expenses," Arthur read off the screen with icy precision. "A five-hundred-thousand-dollar jewelry purchase at Cartier for your sister, Priscilla Lawson. A private yacht lease in Cabo for your mother’s birthday. Monthly transfers to personal accounts..."
Jasper’s face drained of all color. "Those were executive perks!"
"Those were unauthorized embezzlements from a company that has yet to turn a net profit," Arthur snapped, his calm demeanor replaced by razor-sharp severity. "And as of 6:00 AM today, Robertson Global has formally pulled its liquidity line."
"You can't do that!" Jasper shouted, slamming his palms onto the table. "Without that liquidity, we can't meet payroll this Friday!"
"That is correct," Arthur said, closing his folder with a soft, final thud. "Which is why the board has just voted unanimously to suspend you indefinitely from your role as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately."
May you like
Jasper felt the room spin. "Suspended? You can't fire me from my own company!"
"We didn't fire you, Jasper," Arthur said, standing up and buttoning his coat. "Not yet. We’re giving you twenty minutes to pack your personal belongings from your office. If you are still on the premises at 8:30 AM, security will escort you out in handcuffs."
