“She was fired because you and Sterling needed a scapegoat,” Ethan said, tapping the desk. “Look at page four, Daniel.”

Daniel didn’t reach for the folder, so Ethan read it aloud.

“A transfer of four hundred thousand dollars to Dr. Sterling’s private account, cleared three days after the internal investigation was closed.”

“That was a medical research grant,” Daniel said quickly. “Approved by the development committee.”

“The development committee you chair,” Evelyn Vance said, her voice dripping with contempt. “Without board oversight.”

“This is a setup,” Daniel said, looking around the room. “Ethan is grieving. He’s unstable. He’s trying to ruin the company’s reputation to ease his own conscience.”

“There are three federal prosecutors waiting in my office downstairs, Daniel,” Ethan said.

The room went dead silent. Only the hum of the heating system could be heard.

Daniel’s breathing became shallow. He looked at the exit, then back at the table.

“You think the board will back you on this?” Daniel whispered. “If this goes public, the stock drops thirty percent by noon.”

“I don’t care about the stock,” Ethan said.