The Contract That Was Never Meant to Reach the CEO
Chapter 5
Robert looked at Ethan for several seconds.
Then his eyes moved to Maya.
“You shouldn’t have brought her here.”
Maya stepped backward.
Ethan remained still.
“Who sent you?”
Robert laughed.
“You still think you’re in charge.”
“I asked a question.”
“You’ve been asking questions all week.”
Robert nodded toward the notebook.
“Give it to me.”
“No.”
Robert’s smile vanished.
“You don’t understand what you’re holding.”
“I understand enough.”
“Then you know what happens next.”
Ethan looked at the guards.
“Are you threatening me?”
“No.”
Robert’s voice became almost gentle.
“I’m warning you.”
Maya whispered, “We need to leave.”
Robert blocked the doorway.
“You can walk out.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“And the notebook?”
“You leave it.”
Ethan looked at Maya.
She shook her head.
Then Robert said something unexpected.
“Mr. Cole.”
Ethan froze.
Robert continued.
“I know who you are.”
Maya stared at him.
Robert smiled.
“Everyone does.”
Ethan’s disguise had been useless.
“Then why didn’t you expose me?”
“Because Julian wanted to know what you discovered.”
Ethan understood.
This entire week had been watched.
His conversations.
His questions.
His visits.
They had allowed him to investigate because they wanted to see what evidence he could find.
“Where is Julian?”
“Waiting for you.”
“Where?”
“Headquarters.”
Ethan stepped forward.
“Take me to him.”
Robert looked surprised.
“You’re not afraid?”
“I’ve been afraid all week.”
He glanced at Maya.
“But not of you.”
Robert motioned to the guards.
“Take them.”
They were driven to headquarters.
The building was almost empty.
At the top floor, Julian Price stood beside the windows.
He was sixty-two, silver-haired, perfectly dressed.
He turned when Ethan entered.
“I suppose I should congratulate you.”
Ethan said nothing.
Julian looked at Maya.
“Your father was stubborn.”
Maya’s eyes hardened.
“You killed him.”
Julian didn’t react.
“No.”
“Then why did he die three days ago?”
“Because he had been sick for years.”
“You knew he was going to expose you.”
Julian sighed.
“Thomas was going to expose a system he didn’t understand.”
Ethan stepped forward.
“You forged my signature.”
Julian smiled.
“Yes.”
The admission was so casual that Ethan almost didn’t believe it.
“Why?”
“Because the board needs someone to blame.”
“And you chose me.”
“You built the company.”
Julian turned toward the window.
“You also built a culture where everyone trusted you.”
Ethan frowned.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Everything.”
Julian placed a folder on the desk.
Inside were dozens of customer complaints.
Employees had reported fraud.
Managers had reported pressure.
Auditors had raised concerns.
Ethan’s name appeared on internal responses.
CEO informed.
CEO approved.
CEO declined investigation.
Ethan stared.
“I never saw these.”
“I know.”
Julian smiled.
“That’s why they work.”
Then he opened another folder.
A board resolution.
Emergency meeting: Friday, 9:00 a.m.
The purpose?
To remove Ethan Cole for financial misconduct.
Julian looked at him.
“Tomorrow morning, you’ll lose the company.”
Ethan stared at the document.
“And you?”
Julian smiled.
“I’ll be the man who saves it.”
