“Ladies. Gentlemen.” Branson seemed totally at ease, turning his head to face each side of the table. “I believe congratulations are in order. We’ve had a stellar quarter at Escapades Resorts, expanding from our eco-adventure resorts into the luxury hotel market and swallowing the competition. I’m happy to report the value of our shares has increased by four percent.”
Polite clapping spread around the table like a wave. As he continued his speech, quoting the statistics he’d memorized and arguing for optimism in the face of a recent adjustment in the stock prices, Steph made notes about the expressions of each of the board members, rather than transcribing the meeting, as those present must’ve assumed.
William Bernstein, their secret informant, twisted and twirled a pen in his hand. His eyes were fixed on Branson, though they seemed unfocused. The grey-haired man claimed to have shifted his loyalty from Martin to Branson, but Steph worried it might be yet another ploy of Branson’s father.
Ester Martel’s loyalty was an unknown, but Steph noted she was flipping through her handout, rather than watching Branson. Stephanie went down the line, recording every eye twitch, chewed fingernail and fidgeting hand, along with a few board members who gazed at the table or out the window or anywhere other than the man they should be listening to.
“The successful acquisition of Harrison Hotels and Resorts has increased our cash flow, while—”
The heavy wooden doors burst open, and Bran’s father stomped into the room, amid gasps of surprise. Steph’s heart thundered in her chest, but she kept her cool, watching the board members with hawk eyes.
“Good morning.” Martin strode all the way down the long table to stand beside Bran, glancing from one startled board member to another, like a king surveying his servants. “Good to see you, Branson. I only wish it could be under better circumstances.”
“What are you doing here?” Bran growled, rising from his chair. “This is a private board meeting. Do I need to call the guards to escort you out of here?”
Steph’s tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth, seeing the two men side by side, Martin’s salt and pepper hair the only thing that set him apart from his son, thirty-five years his junior.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” said Martin. “You don’t know it yet, but you’ll be the one escorted out.”
Steph fumed, wishing she could wipe Martin’s smug expression off his face, but she kept her mouth zipped.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Bran said. “Not only do I have the controlling shares of this company, which I started from the ground up, two years ago, but I’m also the CEO.”
“Not for long,” Martin said. “As the second largest shareholder, I have the right to call for a vote for a new CEO.”
“Second largest shareholder?” Branson raised his voice to be heard over the loud objections. “I would’ve known if any single buyer had purchased that many shares.”
A number of the board members barked with outrage. Others had worried frowns, while a few were smiling as if they’d expected this announcement. Stephanie made quick notes of the board members who seemed to support Bran’s father.
Martin gloated so much, his cheeks seemed to puff out. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, such as the names of every ghost company I own.”
“Call for a vote and get this over with.” The voice belonged to Bernie Miles, a rather rotund man with a bald head and grey mustache. Steph marked his name on the list—he was obviously in the know.
“Very well,” said Martin, a frown flickering over his face as his sharp gaze rested momentarily on Stephanie. Something sick fluttered in her gut, but she lifted her chin and refused to break eye contact. He turned to look down the long conference table. “I nominate Reagan Cooper as the new CEO of Escapade Resorts.”
Reagan stood and moved to stand behind Martin. With blond, thinning hair and a weak chin, he flashed a leering smile that gave Steph the creeps. A low grumble rippled across the boardroom.
“All in favor raise your right hand.” Martin’s glare swept the room.
Two or three hands shot into the air, while others joined more reluctantly, like someone was pointing a gun at their heads. Stephanie was furiously typing names when Martin’s low voiced growled, “Mr. Bernstein? Is there something you’ve forgotten?”
Bernstein slowly rose from his chair, his jaw muscles bulging. “No, Martin. I remember everything. Every threat. Every manipulation. Every convoluted business deal.”
“You’re judging me? Ha!” Martin made a grating noise that sounded more like a scream of frustration than a laugh. “You weren’t complaining when I made you millions of dollars.”
“I’m not proud of everything I’ve done, but I’ve never broken any laws.” Bernstein’s face was the color of a ripe plum. “This personal vendetta of yours has taken you across the legal line, and you’re not taking me with you.”
“You’re making the biggest mistake of your life.” Martin’s hand balled into a fist so tight his knuckles blanched.
Bernstein shook his head, his eyes softening. “I’m sorry, Martin…”
The doors opened again, and two men with badges strode inside, moving to flank Bran’s father. The first man spoke.
“Martin Knight, you’re under arrest for violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to legal representation. Do you understand your rights?”
Steph couldn’t help feeling sad for Martin, whose face turned so white she thought he might pass out. “How dare you! Do you know who I am?”
“If you come along quietly, we won’t have to use the cuffs, Mr. Knight.”
The two men ushered Bran’s still-protesting father from the room. Silence covered the room like a funeral pall. Reagan Cooper looked like he’d eaten something that had spoiled weeks ago. Pivoting on one foot, Branson faced the board members and cleared his throat.
“If you voted with my father, it’s time for you to leave. I expect your resignations on my desk in twenty-four hours. Stephanie, do you have the list?”
Steph retrieved the list on her laptop and read off the names she’d recorded during the vote.
When one of those named muttered an objection, Branson added, “Don’t forget that every meeting has a digital video recording.” He pointed toward the window, and Steph redirected his arm until his finger was aimed at the camera.
“Thanks, sweetheart.” He beamed at her, as if his father hadn’t just torn a huge hole in his soul. “We make a great team, don’t we?”
She felt a little thrill that he used her pet name in public. While half the board members filed out, Branson called someone on his cell.
When the door closed behind the last person Branson put his phone away and rubbed his hands briskly together. “That’s it. The meeting’s adjourned, but don’t leave yet.”
“But Mr. Knight?” Ester Martel raised her hand. Then she seemed to remember Bran couldn’t see and lowered it, her face reddening. “What are we supposed to do?”
Still worried that some traitors might not have been detected, Steph continued to note the nervous reactions of the remaining board members.
Steph could see the tension of the past two weeks was finally gone when a wide smile split Bran’s face. “Stay for the party.”
