Chapter 8 - Dominic in Conference Room B
Conference Room B had frosted glass walls.
Dominic hated that.
He was used to clear rooms where people could see him leading.
Frosted glass made him look contained.
Board chair Evelyn Monroe joined by video within ten minutes.
Two audit committee members appeared beside her.
Legal counsel sat across from Dominic.
Chloe sat beside Audrey.
Valerie sat two chairs away from Dominic, arms crossed, mascara still perfect, anger barely hiding panic.
Evelyn spoke first.
“Dominic, you are being placed on immediate administrative leave pending investigation.”
Dominic leaned back.
“This is a coordinated attack.”
Audrey almost smiled.
Men like Dominic always reached for conspiracy when evidence became inconvenient.
Evelyn did not blink.
“Your company access is suspended. Your authority is frozen. You are instructed not to contact employees, vendors, board members individually, or potential witnesses.”
Valerie snapped, “What about me?”
Evelyn looked at her.
“You are not an employee.”
Valerie lifted her chin.
“I am a consultant.”
“Your consulting agreement is suspended pending review of payment irregularities.”
Dominic turned sharply.
“Evelyn, don’t overstep.”
Evelyn’s voice cooled.
“I am the board chair. You are the suspended CEO. Adjust your tone.”
For the first time in the meeting, Dominic looked truly stunned.
Audrey watched him process the one thing he could not manipulate.
A woman with more authority than him who was not afraid to use it.
Legal counsel opened the evidence folder.
“Dominic, we have documentation indicating Valerie Crane exercised executive authority without formal appointment, accessed confidential materials, received payments through Crane Strategic Advisory, and participated in retaliatory conduct against employees.”
Dominic’s jaw tightened.
“She advised me.”
Audrey spoke.
“She threatened employees in your name.”
He turned toward her.
“You were not authorized to investigate me personally.”
Evelyn answered.
“She was authorized by the board’s audit committee.”
Dominic looked at Chloe.
“You went around me.”
Chloe’s expression did not change.
“I went above the problem.”
Valerie slammed her hand on the table.
“This is about Audrey. She wanted Dominic.”
The room went still.
Audrey turned slowly.
“Say that again.”
Valerie faltered.
“What?”
“Say it clearly.”
Valerie looked at Dominic.
He did not help.
Audrey leaned forward.
“You assaulted me in front of witnesses because you believed I was sexually involved with the CEO. You used that belief to justify violence. You also just repeated it in a legal review meeting.”
Valerie’s mouth closed.
Chloe made a note.
Legal counsel made a note.
Evelyn said, “Thank you, Valerie.”
Dominic covered his face with one hand.
Valerie realized then that Audrey had not baited her with emotion.
Audrey had baited her with silence.
People like Valerie filled silence with their own ugliness.
The meeting ended with formal instructions.
Dominic suspended.
Valerie terminated from all consulting access.
Devices preserved.
External forensic audit initiated.
Employee hotline opened.
Police report option provided to Audrey for the assault.
Audrey stood.
Dominic looked up.
“This will destroy the company.”
She looked at him.
May you like
“No. It might save it from you.”
👉 In Conference Room B, Dominic lost control not because Audrey shouted, but because every lie he relied on finally had documentation.
