Chapter 9 - Dominic Learns My Name
The board meeting happened eleven days after fall.
Dominic attended by video with counsel.
Victoria was not part of company board but waited outside his lawyer’s office.
Paige was gone from mansion by then.
Her contract suspended.
I joined only for ownership disclosure and conflict statement.
Not disciplinary vote.
Dominic’s face appeared on screen.
Then mine.
He stared.
“Audrey.”
Malcolm Hayes said:
“Mr. Vance, this is a board proceeding.”
Dominic looked toward counsel.
Then back.
Malcolm continued:
“Aster Vale has disclosed ultimate beneficial control as required due current governance conflict.”
A slide appeared.
Monroe Aster Holdings.
100 percent owned by Audrey Monroe Vance as separate property.
Controls Aster Vale Capital.
Aster Vale Capital:
62 percent voting interest in Vance Construction Group.
Dominic’s face emptied.
He whispered:
“No.”
I said nothing.
Then mansion.
Aster Vale Property Holdings:
Wholly owned subsidiary.
Title holder.
Dominic looked at me.
“You bought my house?”
Malcolm corrected:
“The property entity purchased the residence during recapitalization pursuant to agreements you signed.”
Dominic’s attorney touched his arm.
He kept staring.
“You did this two years ago?”
“Yes.”
“You were Aster Vale?”
“I own the holding company.”
“You watched me beg investors.”
“I helped because company was failing.”
His face reddened.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Because I loved you.
I almost said.
Instead:
“Because I wanted investment to be evaluated professionally, and I did not want our marriage tied to rescue.”
“That’s insane.”
“Maybe.”
Then:
“You let me think I saved company.”
“I let you run it.”
His mouth opened.
No words.
Then he asked:
“Did you invest because you thought I was incompetent?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because I believed you could recover if balance sheet stabilized.”
He looked away.
Malcolm resumed.
Audrey formally recused from disciplinary deliberation.
I left meeting.
The special committee heard audit findings.
Unapproved related party benefits to Paige.
Misuse of executive expense.
Security evidence handling.
Potential obstruction issues.
Failures of disclosure.
Not adultery.
Then vote.
Dominic removed as CEO for cause under employment agreement.
Not stripped of all economic interest.
He retained personal shares subject terms.
He remained minority shareholder.
No board seat while criminal matters pending.
Professional interim CEO appointed.
When Sophia told me result, I sat quietly.
“Are you happy?” she asked.
“No.”
Good answer.
Then Dominic called through counsel asking one mediated conversation about company.
I agreed.
He arrived looking hollow.
First question:
“How much did you put in?”
“Twenty eight point six million.”
He laughed once.
“My company was worth less.”
“At time, yes.”
“And now?”
“More.”
“Your shares?”
“Worth more too.”
That surprised.
The recapitalization had diluted him, but recovery increased value.
He was not financially destroyed.
He simply did not control.
Then:
“Why did you hide?”
“I told you I had family money.”
“You said you were comfortable.”
“I was.”
“Eighty million is not comfortable.”
I almost smiled.
“My father’s trust wasn’t my personality.”
Then he said:
“You made me look stupid.”
“No.”
“You sat there while Mom called you gold digger.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
I had asked myself.
“Because I thought correcting her with a number would mean her respect was for sale.”
He looked down.
Then:
“Did you ever plan to tell me?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“I don’t know.”
Honest.
Then:
“Would you have stayed if Mom didn’t push you?”
I looked.
“No.”
He flinched.
“The affair ended us.”
Then:
“The stairs ended any chance I would hesitate.”
He cried.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
He listed.
Paige.
Camera.
Stepping around me.
Telling Sarah to lie.
Not coming hospital.
Questioning paternity.
All specific.
Then:
“I’m sorry about baby.”
I looked away.
“Don’t call it heir.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“Your mother will.”
He swallowed.
“She already did.”
Of course.
Then he told me Victoria had said:
“You let Audrey kill the last Vance child.”
I closed eyes.
May you like
My miscarriage had become my fault in her mouth.
That was the moment Dominic finally stopped defending his mother.
