He pointed a finger at Ethan, who had not moved a muscle.

“He sent his personal security detail to Brenner’s office,” Vance said.

“He used corporate funds to pay off the landlord’s outstanding debts,” Vance added.

“I used my own money,” Ethan said.

His voice was quiet, but it cut through the room like a knife.

“The paper trail says otherwise, Ethan,” Vance said, tapping a folder on the table.

“You authorized a wire transfer from the holding account,” Vance added.

“A temporary loan,” Paul Raskin said quickly. “Perfectly legal.”

“It looks like a bribe, Paul,” Vance said, leaning forward.

“The European partners are already asking questions,” Vance added.

“They do not want to be associated with a man who abandons his family,” Vance said.

“Or a man who uses his corporate power to clean up his dirty secrets,” Vance added.

The other board members, older men in dark suits, nodded in agreement.

One of them, a man with thick glasses, spoke up.

“The stock dropped two points this morning, Ethan,” he said.

“The merger is scheduled for Friday,” another board member added.