Chapter 12 - The Acquisition Clause
Nolan finally sat.
“I never agreed to fake your incapacity.”
“What did you agree to?”
“Nothing.”
“Then explain your reaction.”
He stared at me.
“Vanessa asked theoretical questions.”
“About what?”
“What happens if you get sick again.”
“And?”
“I explained succession rules.”
“That’s confidential board strategy.”
“She’s your wife.”
“She wanted to know how to take my vote.”
Nolan’s voice rose.
“I didn’t know that.”
I placed another document between us.
An email.
Miriam’s investigator had recovered it from a litigation database tied to Vanessa’s shell company.
Vanessa to Nolan:
Once Adrian signs, integration control shifts automatically.
Nolan’s reply:
Only if incapacity is recognized by the board.
Vanessa:
It will be.
Nolan had not answered after that.
“You knew enough,” I said.
He rubbed his face.
“She said you were planning to remove me.”
“From Hale Meridian?”
“Yes.”
“I wasn’t.”
“She showed me board drafts.”
“Fake drafts.”
Nolan looked sick.
Vanessa had manipulated him too.
But unlike Maya, Nolan was an adult.
He had made choices.
“Why lend her eleven million?”
“I didn’t.”
“Records say otherwise.”
“Four point six.”
“Then somebody used your identity for the rest.”
That silenced both of us.
The conspiracy suddenly had another layer.
May you like
Someone had forged Nolan’s financial records too.
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