I allowed the point to settle.
“He allowed a compromised process because it produced the answer he wanted. He used corporate authority to solve a personal problem. Then he turned a termination into a public spectacle on the night of his expected promotion.”
I faced August.
“If I vote based on what Camden did to me as a husband, then I’m repeating his mistake. I’m allowing a personal relationship to determine a corporate decision.”
Camden fixed his eyes on me.
“So I won’t do that.”
Hope briefly appeared in his face.
It hurt that I still recognized his hope.
“My vote is based on what he did as an executive.”
I shut my folder.
“I vote no confidence.”
Camden shut his eyes.
Votes followed around the table.
No.
No.
Abstain.
No.
No.
By the final ballot, Camden’s presumed future had vanished.
He was excluded from succession.
