Chapter 17 - The Board Wanted Her To Forget
The Sterling board was not happy.
They argued that the investigation was unnecessary.
Ethan was in prison.
Allison was in prison.
The stolen money had been recovered.
The company was profitable again.
One director finally said:
“Clara, you're reopening wounds that are already healed.”
Clara looked around the table.
“No.”
Everyone became silent.
“I'm reopening records.”
She placed the old valuation document in front of them.
“This happened before Ethan's theft was discovered.”
A director shifted uncomfortably.
“You can't blame the entire organization for one man's misconduct.”
“I don't.”
Clara looked directly at him.
“I'm asking whether our systems made his misconduct possible.”
Nobody answered.
She continued.
“My father built this company on trust.”
“And that trust nearly became our weakness.”
She proposed an independent audit.
Some directors objected.
Others supported her.
By the end of the meeting, the audit was approved.
Clara walked out alone.
Marcus followed.
“You knew they would fight.”
“Yes.”
“You still did it.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Clara stopped.
“Because I spent too many years believing that protecting a legacy meant preserving everything exactly as it was.”
She looked back at the boardroom.
“Sometimes protecting it means changing it.”
Marcus smiled.
“Your father would have agreed.”
Clara looked at him.
May you like
“I hope so.”
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