“Without board approval?” I asked, keeping my voice level and calm. “Without a single signature from the audit committee?”

I turned to the video screen.

“The automated transfer is scheduled to execute in precisely twelve minutes,” I said. “If we do not act now, the liquidity of this firm will be completely wiped out.”

Arthur looked at Samantha, his expression hardening.

“Is this true, Samantha?” he asked.

“Of course not,” she said, but her voice cracked, and a bead of sweat rolled down her temple. “Claire is a bitter, estranged wife trying to sabotage her husband’s career.”

“I am the majority shareholder by right of my father’s will,” I said, leaning forward. “And I am calling for an emergency vote to strip Preston Hayes of his title as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.”

Samantha laughed, a brittle, desperate sound.

“You can’t do that,” she said. “Preston’s contract contains a golden parachute clause that would bankrupt the company if he is terminated without a two-thirds majority of all outstanding shares.”

“We have the two-thirds,” I said.

I reached into my folder and pulled out a second stack of documents.