“Your resignation,” Margaret said.

“Effective immediately.”

Adrian stared at the paper as if it were a snake.

“You’re firing me?”

“I am removing you from the board and from your position as Chief Executive Officer of the Whitmore Grand,” Margaret said.

Her voice was flat, devoid of any motherly affection.

“You will surrender your company car, your office keys, and your access to the corporate accounts by the end of the business day.”

“You can’t do this,” Adrian whispered.

“I built the Singapore expansion. I brought in the European investors.”

“The board will ratify this within the hour,” Margaret replied.

“I have already secured the votes.”

She turned her head slowly to look at Grace.

“If my son is no longer an officer of the company, the corporate entity cannot be held liable for his personal fraud.”

“Is that correct, Ms. Monroe?”

Grace tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“It distances the company, yes,” Grace said.

“But he still faces personal liability for the forged trust documents.”

“That is his concern,” Margaret said.

Adrian looked like he had been struck in the face.