Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
Levi
The boardroom is tense, a symphony of murmurs and shuffling papers as the members settle into their seats. The air is thick with anticipation, every gaze flicking between Damon and me like we’re combatants preparing to face off in the ring. Tania sits beside me, poised and calm, her presence grounding me as I prepare to dismantle Damon’s lies once and for all.
Damon, of course, looks as smug as ever, reclining in his chair with an air of practiced indifference. It’s the same expression he’s worn since the day I met him—the look of a man who believes he’s untouchable.
Today, that changes.
“Gentlemen,” the chairman begins, his tone curt as he scans the room. “We’re here to address the accusations raised against Nichols Corp regarding the merger. Mr. Hardwick, as the source of these claims, you’ll have the opportunity to present your evidence. Mr. Nichols, you’ll have the chance to respond.”
“Gladly,” Damon says, his grin widening as he rises from his seat. He paces the room, his movements calculated, his tone dripping with faux concern. “Let me start by saying that my intentions here are purely professional. It’s my duty to ensure the integrity of our business dealings, and when I came across certain... irregularities in the merger documents, I felt compelled to act.”
He pauses, letting the weight of his words hang in the air. “The evidence speaks for itself,” he continues, gesturing to the folder in front of him. “Inflated projections, questionable accounting practices—it’s all here.”
He sits, his smirk firmly in place, and I feel Tania’s hand brush mine under the table. It’s a small gesture, but it’s enough to steady me.
“Mr. Nichols,” the chairman says, turning to me. “Your response?”
I stand, my gaze sweeping the room. “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, let me make one thing clear: these accusations are baseless, and they are nothing more than an attempt to sabotage Nichols Corp and my reputation.”
I pick up a folder from the table, opening it to reveal the evidence we’ve meticulously compiled over the past few days. “We’ve conducted a thorough investigation into these claims, and what we found was not just a lack of merit—it was proof of deliberate fabrication.”
I pass the documents to the board members, their expressions shifting as they skim through the pages. “The so-called irregularities Mr. Hardwick mentioned? They don’t exist. What does exist is a trail of falsified documents and altered communications, all traced back to Mr. Hardwick’s office.”
The murmurs in the room grow louder, a ripple of disbelief and outrage spreading through the group. Damon’s smirk falters, replaced with a flicker of uncertainty.
“May I add something?” Tania asks, her voice calm but commanding.
The chairman nods, and she stands, addressing the room with the same poise she displayed at the press conference.
“As someone who has worked closely with Mr. Nichols throughout this merger, I can personally attest to the integrity of his actions,” she says. “The evidence we’ve provided doesn’t just refute these accusations—it exposes a deliberate attempt to undermine this company. An attempt orchestrated by Mr. Hardwick.”
Her words land like a hammer, the weight of them silencing the room. I glance at her, my chest swelling with pride. She’s brilliant, confident, and completely unshakable.
“This is ridiculous,” Damon snaps, rising from his seat. “You’re taking their word over mine? They’re clearly trying to cover their tracks!”
“And yet,” the chairman interrupts, his tone sharp, “the evidence you’ve presented doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. In fact, it raises more questions about your own conduct than it does about Mr. Nichols’.”
Damon’s face reddens, his composure slipping. “You can’t be serious?—”
“Enough,” the chairman says, cutting him off. He turns to the board. “All in favor of a motion to remove Mr. Hardwick from his position, effective immediately?”
One by one, the board members raise their hands. The motion passes unanimously.
Damon sinks into his chair, his expression a mix of anger and humiliation. He doesn’t look at me as he’s escorted from the room, his defeat complete.
As the boardroom clears, I turn to Tania, a small smile tugging at my lips. “You were incredible in there.”
“So were you,” she replies, her own smile soft. “I think we make a good team.”
“We do,” I say, reaching for her hand. “And this isn’t just a victory for me. It’s a victory for us.”
She squeezes my hand, her gaze steady. “Damon underestimated us. But we’ve proven that we’re stronger together.”