I did not take her hand.

I kept my arms crossed over my chest.

“I don’t want to discuss the company,” I said.

“I want to make sure Richard never comes near my daughter again.”

“That is already being handled,” Mr. Hayes said from behind us.

He motioned toward the large double doors of the boardroom.

“If you will follow me.”

We walked into the boardroom.

The table was surrounded by the most powerful people in the city.

On the wall, a large screen showed a live feed of the stock market.

The Whitmore Group ticker was flashing yellow.

The volume of trades was rising.

Nathan sat down at the head of the table.

He pulled a chair out for me next to him.

I sat down, my knees trembling slightly under the table.

Mr. Hayes placed the black folder in front of me.

He opened it and handed me a pen.

It was not the silver one from the vault.

It was a simple, black plastic pen.

“This is the resolution to strip Richard of his chairmanship,” Mr. Hayes said.

“It requires the signature of the trustee.”