“And you did it under our roof.”

Arthur turned to the other board members.

“We need to hold a formal vote,” Arthur said.

“We need to address his standing with the firm immediately.”

“I agree,” Evelyn said.

“We must act before the regulatory bodies are notified,” Marcus said.

Ethan looked at me again.

His eyes were wild, full of a quiet fury.

“You think you’ve won, Clara?” he whispered, leaning across the table.

“If I go down, I take everything with me.”

“You have nothing left to take, Ethan,” I said.

“You spent it all.”

Arthur took a deep breath.

“Let the record show that the board is now in executive session,” Arthur said.

“Ethan, please step outside while we deliberate.”

“No,” Ethan said. “I have a right to be here.”

“You have no rights in this room anymore,” Arthur said, his voice flat.

“Step out, or I will have security remove you.”

Ethan stared at Arthur for a long moment.

Then, he turned and marched out of the room, slamming the heavy door behind him.

The room shook slightly.

Arthur sat back down and looked at me.