Chapter 4 - The Boardroom Coup
Julian was a coward, but a cornered coward is dangerous. Two days later, while I was undergoing grueling physical therapy to regain movement in my right hand, Evelyn received a frantic text from my chief operating officer.
Julian had called an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors. He was invoking an obscure corporate bylaw, claiming that due to my "severe and permanent medical incapacitation," he, as Vice President of European Operations and next of kin, should be named interim CEO.
He was trying to bypass Evelyn entirely by taking the company from the inside.
“He’s presenting to the board in ten minutes,” Evelyn said, pacing my hospital room. “If he convinces them you are a vegetable, they might vote to give him executive signing authority.”
I looked at Marcus, the nurse, who was checking my IV. I blinked at my communication board.
S-E-T U-P T-H-E C-A-M-E-R-A.
Evelyn smiled, instantly understanding. She pulled out her tablet and connected to the boardroom's secure video conferencing system.
In the downtown headquarters, Julian stood at the head of the mahogany table, looking somber and responsible. “Gentlemen,” his voice echoed through the tablet speakers into my hospital room. “My uncle’s stroke has left him entirely incapacitated. The doctors say he will likely never recover his mental faculties. It breaks my heart, but for the sake of this company, I must step in as acting CEO to authorize our pending quarterly transactions.”
Just as the board members began to murmur in agreement, Evelyn hit a button.
The massive screen behind Julian in the boardroom suddenly flickered to life. My face, slightly asymmetrical but fiercely alert, filled the screen. Evelyn stood beside me.
“I apologize for interrupting, gentlemen,” Evelyn’s voice rang through the boardroom speakers. “But the CEO has a few thoughts on this transition.”
Julian spun around, dropping his laser pointer.
I looked directly into the camera. Using the optical board, I typed my message, letting the mechanical voice project through the corporate office.
May you like
I A-M N-O-T D-E-A-D. A-N-Y V-O-T-E F-O-R J-U-L-I-A-N W-I-L-L B-E T-R-E-A-T-E-D A-S T-R-E-A-S-O-N. M-E-E-T-I-N-G A-D-J-O-U-R-N-E-D.
The board members stared in stunned silence. Julian looked like he was going to vomit. Evelyn terminated the connection, leaving Julian standing in a room full of men who suddenly realized they were looking at a liar.
