Chapter 2: Everything Falls Apart
Matthew spent the next hour insisting there had to be a mistake.
There wasn't.
Seven years earlier, Clare had insisted every early investor sign one unusual condition.
If either founder committed financial fraud, concealed material assets, or engaged in conduct that seriously damaged the company's reputation...
Voting control immediately returned to the original founding trust.
Nobody had questioned it.
Back then, NexusCore had been worth almost nothing.
Now it was worth billions.
General Counsel projected another screen.
Private security footage.
Matthew entering Lauren's Hamptons house.
Corporate funds paying the property taxes.
Luxury travel billed to company accounts.
Personal expenses disguised as executive development.
The room became painfully quiet.
One director slowly removed his company lapel pin.
Another closed his notebook.
No one defended him.
Then the final document appeared.
A certified hospital report completed less than two hours earlier.
Visible injuries.
Medical photographs.
Time stamps.
Richard didn't even look at Matthew.
He addressed the board.
"I'll allow each of you exactly one opportunity."
He paused.
"Either remove him today..."
"...or explain to every investor tomorrow why you protected him."
The vote lasted thirty-four seconds.
Twelve hands.
Twelve votes.
Unanimous.
May you like
Matthew Hayes was removed as CEO before noon.
His company badge stopped working before he reached the elevator.
