The next board meeting took place three days later.
I arrived early.
Malcolm was reviewing the agenda.
The general counsel had prepared the updated financial report.
The accountant sat beside a stack of documents.
The blue folder was thicker than before.
I took my seat.
"Good morning."
Malcolm nodded.
"Good morning."
Julian arrived shortly afterward.
He looked tired.
His suit was neat, but his eyes were not.
He carried a black folder.
He placed it on the table and sat opposite me.
The general counsel began.
"Today's meeting will give Mr. Vance an opportunity to respond to the remaining questions identified in the review."
Julian nodded.
"I understand."
The accountant opened the report.
He explained which documents had been received since the previous meeting.
Some invoices had been supplied.
A few vendor descriptions had been clarified.
But several transactions still lacked sufficient supporting information.
Julian opened his black folder.
"I brought additional records."
The general counsel accepted them.
"Thank you."
The accountant examined the documents.
He compared the dates.
He checked the approval numbers.
Then he asked Julian to explain the business purpose of a particular group of payments.
Julian leaned forward.
"They were connected to external strategic services."
"What services were provided?"
"Market research and consulting."
"Can you identify the specific work?"
Julian looked at his papers.
"Some of it involved expansion planning."
"Do you have the completed reports?"
"I believe they should be available."
The accountant asked whether he could provide them.
Julian nodded.
"I'll arrange that."
The general counsel made a note.
Another document was placed in front of Julian.
This one involved a different vendor.
The accountant explained that the invoice description was broad and did not clearly identify the work performed.
Julian became irritated.
"These are normal business expenses."
The accountant remained calm.
"Some expenses are normal. The question is whether these particular payments are adequately supported."
Julian looked toward Malcolm.
"Are we going to examine every invoice in the company?"
"Only the transactions identified by the review," Malcolm replied.
"That's still a lot of paperwork."
The general counsel spoke.
"We are dealing with substantial amounts of company money."
Julian leaned back.
I watched him.
He seemed to be searching for the right person to agree with him.
He looked at Malcolm.
Then at the accountant.
Finally, he looked at me.
"Audrey, you know I wouldn't deliberately damage this company."
I met his eyes.
"I know what you have told us."
He frowned.
"That's not an answer."
"It is the only answer I can give before the review is complete."
He shook his head.
"You could at least acknowledge the work I've done here."
"I have acknowledged it."
"Then why are you allowing this to happen?"
I felt my patience becoming thin.
"Because the company needs accurate records."
He looked away.
The accountant continued.
The meeting lasted nearly two hours.
By the end, Julian had agreed to provide additional documents.
The general counsel outlined the temporary restrictions that would remain in place while the review continued.
Certain financial approvals would be handled through an additional level of authorization.
Julian objected again.
But this time, Malcolm was firm.
"This is a temporary safeguard."
"I understand what you're calling it."
"Then we can proceed."
Julian closed his folder.
He looked at me.
I could tell he wanted to speak privately.
I waited until the other board members had left.
Malcolm remained in the room.
Julian stood.
"Could we have a moment?"
I looked toward Malcolm.
He nodded and stepped into the hallway.
Julian waited until the door closed.
Then he spoke.
"You have made your point."
I looked at him.
"What point?"
"That you own the company."
I shook my head.
"This isn't about proving ownership."
"Then what is it about?"
"The company."
He laughed bitterly.
"You keep saying that."
"Because it's true."
He moved closer to the table.
"Do you know what people are saying?"
"No."
"They think I was hiding something."
"Then provide the records."
He looked at me.
"I have provided records."
"Then provide the rest."
He rubbed his forehead.
"You're making this impossible."
I stood.
"No, Julian. I'm asking you to answer reasonable questions about company money."
He looked at me for several seconds.
Then his voice softened.
"I need you to help me."
I felt something inside me tighten.
"How?"
"Talk to Malcolm. Tell him the board should give me more time."
"He has already given you time."
"Then ask for more."
I shook my head.
"I won't interfere."
He looked almost angry.
"You are my wife."
I stared at him.
"And you are an executive of this company."
He opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
I continued.
"Those are two different responsibilities."
He looked down.
For a moment, he seemed smaller than I remembered.
Then he picked up his folder.
"Fine."
He walked toward the door.
I didn't follow.
Before leaving, he turned.
"I hope you understand what you're doing."
I looked at him.
"I do."
He left.
Malcolm returned a few seconds later.
"Everything all right?"
"Yes."
He studied my face.
"Are you sure?"
I nodded.
He didn't ask anything else.
We discussed the next board steps.
The investigation would continue.
Julian would have another opportunity to provide the missing records.
And the company would maintain the temporary safeguards.
When I returned to my office, I found a message from Denise.
She had written to thank me for the recent announcement about the company's financial support.
She said employees were beginning to feel less anxious.
I read it twice.
Then I replied.
"Thank you for your patience. We are working to make Aurelia stronger."
I put my phone down.
That message mattered more to me than anything Julian had said during the meeting.
Because it reminded me why I had bought the company in the first place.
Click here to continue reading: PART 16: I Returned Home to Find Julian Waiting With His Suitcase, and His First Question Was About the Future He Thought I Owed Him
My Husband Wanted Me Gone Before the Biggest Announcement of His Career, But He Had No Idea Why I Had Come
Part 15 of 20
