Chapter 9 - The Board Member Who Had Been Bought
At nine the next morning, Evelyn called Vanessa with worse news.
Someone on the board had given Grant internal support.
The emergency leadership proposal required two sponsors.
One was Elise, who held a nonvoting executive position.
The second was Dr. Malcolm Voss, chairman of the grants committee.
Malcolm had publicly praised Vanessa for years.
He had also approved three suspicious payments to CardiaBridge.
Naomi traced the payments through a consulting company owned by Malcolm’s son.
Grant had promised Malcolm control of the foundation’s medical grant portfolio after Vanessa’s removal.
“We can suspend him now,” Evelyn said.
“No,” Vanessa replied. “Let him vote.”
Naomi paused.
“That is risky.”
“If we remove him before the gala, Grant will know we found the payments.”
Vanessa understood the danger.
Malcolm could influence uncertain board members. Grant could turn the evening into a battle over Vanessa’s emotional state.
But allowing Malcolm to participate would expose the conspiracy publicly.
They agreed to monitor him and freeze all financial systems before the event.
At noon, Vanessa received a text from Elise.
Grant wants you at the gala by seven. Please avoid speaking with reporters. We’re trying to protect you.
Vanessa replied:
Thank you for taking care of everything.
Elise responded with a heart.
The cruelty of it almost made Vanessa laugh.
Grant arrived downstairs wearing the navy tuxedo Vanessa had purchased for their tenth anniversary.
“You look tired,” he said.
“I didn’t sleep.”
“That’s why tonight is necessary.”
He left without offering her his arm.
Vanessa waited until his car disappeared.
Then she opened Caroline’s jewelry box.
Inside lay her mother’s ruby earrings and the repaired watch Vanessa had intended to return to Grant.
She set the watch aside.
Some gifts belonged to the person someone had been.
Grant was no longer that man.
Vanessa put on the ruby earrings and the red gown.
When she looked in the mirror, she did not see a discarded wife.
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She saw Caroline Hawthorne’s daughter.
👉 While Grant prepared the board to watch Vanessa surrender, she entered the gala carrying proof that one of his most respected allies had already sold his vote.
