“Evelyn, please,” he said, his tone shifting from anger to a desperate, soft plea. “We can work this out. We built this together.”

“You did not build it, Bennett,” I said, my voice quiet in the vast room. “My father built the foundation, I built the brand, and you spent ten years trying to convince the world you were the brains behind it.”

“You need me,” he insisted. “The board will not support a woman who has been out of the daily operations for five years. The investors will panic.”

“The board has already voted to remove you from your position as Chairman and CEO,” Julian said. “The press release is going out in thirty minutes.”

Celeste looked at Bennett, her eyes wide with sudden realization.

“Bennett, do something,” she whispered, shaking his arm. “Tell them they can’t do this.”

He didn’t answer her. He just stared at the marble floor under his feet.

“Officer,” I said, turning to the policemen. “Please escort Mr. Whitlock and Ms. Monroe off the property. They may take the clothes they are currently wearing. Nothing else.”