“I understand how ugly it can be.”
“That’s part of understanding any institution.”
He leaned back.
“The board needs to decide Camden’s future.”
I shook my head.
“I don’t want revenge.”
“Good.”
He said it so quickly I raised my eyes.
“Revenge is an expensive way to let someone continue controlling your decisions.”
“Then what do I do?”
August pointed toward the photograph.
“What Vivian did.”
I waited.
“Decide what protects the company.”
That required more than revenge.
Far more.
Revenge offered a simple route.
Remove Camden through a vote.
Ruin him.
Let headlines mirror his public humiliation of me.
Corporate governance wasn’t marriage.
Justice wasn’t anger.
I returned home.
I reviewed every report.
Every succession paper.
Every audit overview.
Every staff evaluation.
Even Camden’s.
By sunrise, I’d settled my vote.
PART 5: THE VOTE HE THOUGHT BELONGED TO HIM
Three days later, I revisited the gala ballroom.
