The Board Meets at Dawn
Chapter 09 - The Board Meets at Dawn
At seven in the morning, Ashford Global’s emergency board assembled through secure video.
Grant sat at the head of the library table. Ava sat on his right. Julian sat on his left.
Victoria was excluded by vote after Marcus presented the payment records and kidnapping message.
She remained upstairs under police supervision.
Board members reacted to Ava in predictable ways.
Some welcomed her with exaggerated warmth.
Some questioned her competence.
One director asked whether an emergency-room nurse understood international finance.
Ava replied, “I understand what happens when institutions decide paperwork matters more than a living person.”
Grant almost smiled.
The board’s main issue was immediate leadership. Grant’s legal death declaration had triggered temporary succession. Victoria had been serving as acting chair. Julian ran operations but lacked authority to reverse trust actions.
Grant requested reinstatement.
Director Martin Shaw objected.
“You have been medically absent for six months and returned without notice during a family crisis.”
Grant looked at Ava.
“Then appoint her interim chair.”
The room erupted.
Ava turned to him.
“No.”
“You hold the largest vote.”
“I have never attended a board meeting.”
“You found the clock terminal when everyone else watched the countdown.”
“That does not make me qualified.”
“No. Knowing what you do not know makes you more qualified than many people here.”
Julian’s jaw tightened.
Grant noticed.
“Ava and Julian will serve as co-trustees until the investigation is complete.”
Victoria appeared on one of the screens from upstairs. She had used an old executive login.
“You cannot humiliate my son by placing a stranger beside him.”
Julian looked at her image.
“Log out, Mother.”
She ignored him.
“Julian, they are taking everything.”
He pressed the disconnect command.
Her face vanished.
The board voted narrowly to appoint Ava and Julian as joint interim trustees.
Their first decision concerned the foundation accounts Rachel mentioned.
Ava requested a full forensic audit.
Julian agreed.
Within twenty minutes, auditors found seventeen thousand fake patient files across twelve countries. More than eighty million dollars had disappeared.
The oldest account was opened by Edward Vale.
The newest transfer occurred the previous night at 11:31.
The destination was a private bank in the Cayman Islands.
The transfer approval used Grant’s biometric signature.
Grant had been unconscious in Geneva at the time.
Someone had stolen his medical data while he was recovering.
Naomi checked the clinic records.
Only one visitor accessed Grant’s biometric scan.
A woman using the name Claire Bennett.
May you like
The visitor photograph showed Rachel.
But Rachel had already been dead for five months.
