Chapter 12 - THE BOARD MEETING RYAN STILL ALMOST WON
Ryan refused to resign.
That surprised everyone.
It should not have.
He appeared before the Bennett Urban board with counsel and attacked the evidence.
Michael Vale’s notes?
Unverified.
Anonymous leaks?
Suspicious.
Security rehearsal?
Ava had made threats against company property.
Prewritten statement?
Prudent documentation.
Bruises?
Ryan denied causing most of them.
Then he played his strongest card.
The finances.
“Whatever you think of my marriage, Bennett Urban still needs capital.”
Silence.
He was right.
“Northstar’s original transaction saves jobs, repairs buildings, and stabilizes debt.”
Right again.
“Ava has spent three days turning a corporate emergency into a referendum on me.”
Partly true.
Then he looked at Ava.
“She wants you to reject a financially sound transaction because she hates her husband.”
The room shifted.
Ava felt it.
This was why Ryan had been successful.
He could put truth next to manipulation until they looked related.
Then Ava stood.
“I vote to suspend Ryan for cause.”
His lawyer objected.
The board chair asked:
“Evidence?”
Naomi presented the prewritten statement.
The proxy emails.
The security rehearsals.
The Vale file.
Ryan attacked each.
Then Ava did something Ryan had not expected.
“I also vote to continue negotiations with Northstar.”
Everyone froze.
Ryan stared.
Ava continued.
“Without Ryan’s retention package. Without automatic dilution. And with independent governance.”
His face changed.
She had separated him from the deal.
Exactly what he never thought she would do.
Then:
“I also authorize the sale of our Lakeview development if Northstar cannot meet those terms.”
Ryan laughed.
“You swore you’d never sell it.”
“I was wrong.”
Silence.
Ava looked directly at him.
“That is what leadership sounds like when you can admit it.”
The board voted.
Ryan suspended.
Seven to two.
His right-of-first-refusal provision died with his office.
Northstar lost leverage.
Ryan still had one weapon left.
May you like
Before leaving, he handed the chair a sealed psychiatric evaluation.
Of Ava.
