Chapter 4 - THE BOARDROOM VULTURESThree days after Christmas, Graeme Hayes walked into the glass-walled boardroom of Hayes Global Holdings. The atmosphere was thick with tension. The board of directors, led by his ruthless co-founder and minority shareholder, Julian Vance, sat waiting with unreadable expressions.
"Graeme," Julian began, leaning back in his leather chair with a predatory smile. "We’ve reviewed the quarterly expenditures. Specifically, the anonymous real estate transfers and emergency cash drops routed through your private philanthropic trust."
Graeme didn't flinch. He unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat at the head of the table. "My trust, my capital. I allocate dividends as I see fit."
"Not when it conflicts with company acquisition strategy," Julian retorted, slamming a folder onto the polished mahogany table. "You bought a residential lease for a low-income cleaning contractor named Sarah Collins. You’re exposing the company to liabilities, Graeme. The press is already sniffing around. If the board finds out the CEO is running a personal charity syndicate for minimum-wage workers, our stock value will take a hit."
"Let it," Graeme said coldly. "If this company can't survive a CEO helping a mother feed her child, then it deserves to collapse."
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Julian’s eyes narrowed into slits. "You’re slipping, Graeme. You’ve been soft ever since your wife passed away. You think you can play savior to every stray soul in Chicago. Well, the board doesn't agree. We’re initiating a special audit. And if we find that you used corporate assets—even a fraction of a cent—to fund your little charity project, we will invoke the morality clause and strip you of your voting shares."
Graeme stared at him without a word of fear. "Do your worst, Julian."
