The final review meeting was scheduled for Monday morning.
I arrived at Aurelia shortly before nine.
The building was busy.
Employees were moving between departments.
The receptionist greeted me.
I returned her smile.
I had become more familiar with the building over the previous weeks.
I knew which conference rooms were usually occupied.
I knew where Denise liked to have her morning coffee.
I even recognized the sound of the elevator before the doors opened.
Aurelia was beginning to feel like a place I was responsible for.
Not simply a company I owned.
I entered the boardroom.
Malcolm was already there.
The general counsel had prepared the final meeting documents.
The forensic accountant was reviewing his notes.
Julian arrived several minutes later.
He looked directly at me.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
He sat down.
There was no argument.
No request for a private conversation.
He simply placed his folder on the table.
The general counsel opened the meeting.
He explained that the purpose was to review the additional documentation Julian had submitted and determine what action the board should take.
The accountant began.
He explained which new records had been examined.
Some provided additional information.
Others did not resolve the original questions.
He displayed the relevant documents.
The board listened.
Julian answered several questions.
He explained the way his department had handled external consulting expenses.
He described the pressures associated with the expansion project.
He acknowledged that some documentation had not been properly maintained.
But he continued to disagree with parts of the review.
The general counsel asked whether he had any further records to provide.
Julian said he had submitted everything available to him.
The accountant nodded.
Then he closed his folder.
The general counsel summarized the findings.
He made a careful distinction between the transactions that had been adequately supported and those that remained insufficiently documented.
He also explained the governance concerns raised by the approval procedures.
Malcolm looked toward Julian.
"Is there anything you wish to add before the board considers its decision?"
Julian sat quietly.
Then he spoke.
"I understand the company has concerns. But I want the board to recognize that I have spent years working for Aurelia."
Malcolm nodded.
"We recognize your service."
"I helped build the strategy department."
"That is also recognized."
Julian glanced at me.
Then he continued.
"I hope the board doesn't allow personal circumstances to influence a professional decision."
I looked at him.
The statement was carefully chosen.
He was asking everyone to believe that I was the source of the problem.
The general counsel responded.
"The board's decision will be based on the documented findings and the company's governance requirements."
Julian nodded.
The meeting paused while the board members discussed the recommendation.
I remained silent.
I had no reason to direct the outcome.
The evidence was already on the table.
After several minutes, Malcolm called the meeting back to order.
The board announced that Julian would no longer continue in his current executive position.
The decision was based on the findings, the unresolved documentation concerns, and the board's assessment of the company's leadership requirements.
Julian stared at Malcolm.
"You're removing me?"
The general counsel explained the formal process and the effective date.
Julian looked toward me.
"Audrey."
I met his eyes.
I didn't say anything.
He seemed to expect me to interrupt.
I didn't.
The board continued explaining the transition arrangements.
The company would maintain the financial safeguards.
The relevant responsibilities would be reassigned.
The review records would remain preserved.
Julian sat motionless.
When the meeting ended, he gathered his papers.
His hands were shaking slightly.
He stood.
Then he looked at Malcolm.
"I gave this company years of my life."
Malcolm replied quietly.
"And that contribution has been acknowledged."
Julian turned toward me.
"You could have stopped this."
I stood.
"No, Julian. I could only have interfered with it."
He stared at me.
For a moment, I thought he might argue.
Instead, he picked up his folder.
He walked toward the door.
I watched him leave.
Nobody applauded.
Nobody celebrated.
It was not a victory ceremony.
It was a difficult business decision.
Malcolm approached me.
"Are you all right?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
He looked toward the closed door.
"That was not easy."
"No."
I returned to my office.
The rest of the day was filled with meetings.
We discussed the executive transition.
We reviewed the company's financial position.
We discussed the employees who would take on additional responsibilities.
I asked the human resources team to communicate clearly with the staff.
I didn't want rumors spreading through the building.
The company had already endured enough uncertainty.
Late that afternoon, Denise came to my office.
She stood near the door.
"Ms. Vance, may I ask something?"
"Of course."
She looked nervous.
"Is Aurelia going to be all right?"
I smiled faintly.
"We're working toward that."
She nodded.
"I heard there were changes in the executive team."
"Yes. The board has made a decision."
She hesitated.
"I hope things become calmer."
I understood.
"So do I."
She thanked me and left.
I looked at the empty chair across my desk.
Julian had once sat in rooms like this, believing he was untouchable.
Now he was no longer part of Aurelia's leadership.
I didn't feel happy.
But I didn't feel responsible for protecting him either.
The decision had been made.
And the company needed to move forward.
Click here to continue reading: PART 20: The Man Who Told Me to Leave His Anniversary Celebration Finally Understood What He Had Lost, but I Had Already Chosen My Future
My Husband Wanted Me Gone Before the Biggest Announcement of His Career, But He Had No Idea Why I Had Come
Part 19 of 20
