The Vote at Blackwood Tower
Chapter 10 - The Vote at Blackwood Tower
Blackwood Tower’s auditorium was full when Ethan arrived. Julian stood at the podium beneath a giant company logo, explaining that Ethan’s absence proved the need for new leadership.
The directors had already opened the vote.
Ethan entered through the center doors with Evelyn, Milo, Detective Ortiz, and Nathan behind him. Cameras swung toward them. Julian’s face remained composed, but his hand tightened around the podium.
“You are under investigation,” Julian announced. “This meeting cannot become a theater for personal accusations.”
Ethan placed Rafael’s drives on the board table. “Then let the records speak.”
Julian ordered building security to remove Milo. No one moved. Nathan had already suspended the officers assigned through Caleb’s unit.
The auditorium screens displayed the Atlas authorization. Julian pointed to Ethan’s signature and accused him of approving the program.
Then Evelyn played the recovered mailroom log showing Julian’s late-night access to the signing machine.
Nathan testified that Julian ordered him to secure Atlas prototypes but concealed their true use. When Nathan attempted to stop the program, Caleb replaced him on several assignments and copied his credentials. Nathan had remained silent because Julian threatened to expose classified mistakes from his military service and destroy his brother.
“You protected your reputation,” Milo said, “and my dad lost his life.”
Nathan lowered his head. “Yes.”
The honesty carried more weight than an excuse.
Next came Rafael’s recording. The auditorium fell silent as the dead engineer described the modified system, the false authorizations, and the planned crashes.
Julian laughed when the video ended. “A frightened employee recorded allegations without proof.”
Detective Ortiz connected the decrypted payment files. They showed transfers from Northstar Urban Partners to Caleb and several shell accounts. A final folder contained voice messages.
Julian’s own voice filled the auditorium:
Ethan leaves at nine. The highway signal activates at sixty miles per hour. Once the succession clause takes effect, Northstar buys the housing division before anyone can stop us.
The recording continued. Caleb asked what would happen if someone inspected the car.
Julian answered, “Nobody looks under a billionaire’s car unless they are paid to.”
Every face turned toward Milo.
The boy who slept in a shed had looked.
Board members began withdrawing their support from Julian. Halcyon Capital’s representative announced it would suspend its takeover bid pending criminal review.
Julian stepped away from the podium.
Detective Ortiz told him he was under arrest.
He glanced toward a side exit, then toward Milo, calculating one last path through the room. Ethan moved between them.
“This company was built to move people safely,” Ethan said. “You turned it into a weapon.”
Julian’s smile disappeared.
“No,” he replied. “I turned it into something powerful.”
May you like
Milo looked at the directors who had nearly handed him control.
“Power that needs people to stay silent is just fear wearing a suit.”
