Bianca’s Presentation
Chapter 04 - Bianca’s Presentation
The public humiliation had been planned as a corporate presentation.
Bianca prepared the guest list.
Every person whose opinion mattered to Monday’s merger vote had received a handwritten invitation. Journalists were seated near the screen. Board members occupied the first two rows. Bankers stood close enough to hear Daniel’s accusations but far enough to claim they had not participated.
The slideshow contained false messages suggesting Evelyn transferred confidential data to a competitor.
One message called Bianca “Daniel’s temporary distraction.”
Another promised Evelyn would take control of Meridian after the merger failed.
The language was close to hers.
Too close.
Bianca had spent months collecting Evelyn’s emails and voice notes.
Daniel believed the fabricated archive would do three things.
Remove Evelyn from the board.
Destroy her credibility in the marriage.
And pressure her to sign a separation agreement transferring any marital interest in Meridian to him.
He did not know the shares he coveted were nearly worthless without Hawthorne’s licenses.
Margaret asked the audiovisual technician to display the metadata.
The forged messages had been created on Bianca’s corporate laptop.
The ballroom screen filled with timestamps, file histories, and hidden revision records.
Bianca stepped forward.
“My laptop is used by the communications team.”
Margaret nodded.
“Then your team may explain why the source folder is named EVELYN FINAL DESTRUCTION.”
A nervous sound moved through the room.
Bianca looked at Daniel.
He did not defend her.
Evelyn saw the exact moment Bianca understood the relationship’s limits.
She had helped him build the lie.
He was already deciding how to make it hers alone.
Margaret displayed the next document.
A transfer request attempting to move eighty million dollars from Meridian’s reserve account into a merger vehicle controlled by Daniel and Bianca.
Evelyn had blocked it that morning.
Daniel’s public accusation followed twelve hours later.
“This is why she sabotaged the merger,” Daniel said.
“No,” Evelyn answered. “This is why I discovered you were stealing.”
Daniel’s anger returned.
“You cannot steal from your own company.”
May you like
Margaret looked at him.
“You can when the money belongs to someone else.”
