Chapter 10 - The Boardroom Purge-11
Four days later.
The high-rise headquarters of Warren Global Enterprise in downtown Portland soared eighty stories above the city. The glass-walled executive boardroom on the top floor commanded a breathtaking view of the river and mountains.
Sitting around the massive mahogany table were twelve senior board members, corporate lawyers, and major shareholders, speaking in frantic, hushed whispers.
News of Julian Warren’s arrest had sent shockwaves through the financial world. The company’s stock had plunged fifteen percent in forty-eight hours, and rumors of massive financial fraud were swirling through Wall Street.
The double doors of the boardroom swung open.
Spencer Warren walked in, dressed in a sharp charcoal suit, looking commanding, formidable, and entirely revived. Walking right beside him was his lead corporate prosecutor, Sarah Jenkins, alongside two federal auditors carrying thick boxes of financial files.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," Spencer announced, taking his seat at the head of the table.
The board members went dead silent.
"Spencer," the lead independent director, Arthur Vance, spoke up nervously. "We are relieved to see you, but the media is having a field day. Julian is facing federal charges, and there are claims that company funds were used in a criminal conspiracy. We need to issue a statement immediately."
"We will issue a statement, Arthur," Spencer said smoothly. "Starting with the complete liquidation of Julian’s shares and his formal removal from the board of directors."
Sarah Jenkins stepped forward, opening a thick binder. "Over the last seventy-two hours, federal auditors discovered that Julian embezzled over eighty million dollars from the company's research and development fund over a three-year period. He used thirty million of that money to pay off off-grid enforcement teams, bribe clinic staff, and fund offshore shell accounts."
The board members gasped, exchanging terrified glances.
"Furthermore," Spencer declared, leaning forward with his hands clasped on the table. "Julian had three accomplices inside this very room who helped him cover up his illegal transactions in exchange for offshore kickbacks."
Spencer pulled three white envelopes from his jacket and slid them across the polished mahogany table.
"Arthur Vance, Harold Miller, and Victoria Sterling," Spencer said, calling out their names like a judge passing sentence. "Your resignation letters are inside those envelopes. You will sign them now, surrender your executive options, and report to the U.S. Attorney's office by 2:00 PM today."
Arthur Vance’s face turned bright red. "Spencer! You can't force us out! We built this firm with your father!"
"My father built a house of cards on lies and cruelty, Arthur," Spencer replied coldly. "I am rebuilding this company on truth. Sign the papers, or my security team will escort you out in handcuffs just like they did with Julian."
Within ten minutes, the three disgraced board members signed the documents with shaking hands and fled the room in total humiliation.
Spencer stood up, looking at the remaining board members.
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"Starting today," Spencer announced, "Warren Global Enterprise will pledge fifty million dollars to establish the Florence & Evelyn Foundation—a charity dedicated to helping homeless children, supporting single mothers, and providing emergency medical care across Oregon."
The remaining board members stood up and broke into thunderous, unanimous applause.
