11. Damien
Damien
E veryone’s attention turned to Ella and me as we entered the large conference room on the second floor of Sinclair Corporate Center. The room had been set up for the emergency meeting. By the expression on Gloria Wilmott’s face, she wasn’t surprised to see Ella at my side. She wasn’t in the minority.
“Damien,” Lynwood Sharp, the board’s parliamentarian and longest standing member greeted us as we entered. With a smile and a nod, he offered his hand to Ella. “Mrs. Sinclair, it’s nice to see you again.”
Ella didn’t fumble. She was in her rare and unique form, the woman I observed at the Beta Kappa Phi gala.
“Mr. Sharp. I’ve missed so many familiar faces.”
Lynwood slapped me on the shoulder. “Congratulations, you two. Sorry to miss the wedding.”
“It was small,” Ella replied.
Lyn’s smile dimmed. “How is Derek?”
Following Stephen’s advice, I made a point of contacting the members of the board last night, a short phone call to personally reach out about Dad and to let them know Ella and I had married. As we progressed around the room, I believed it had been the right move. We weren’t surprising Darius; we shouldn’t surprise anyone.
The room was beginning to fill.
Only the members of the board could vote on any proposals, yet stockholders were welcome to participate in the debates. Sinclair was a private company with less than one hundred stockholders. If everyone showed to each meeting, we’d need a bigger room.
Dani entered.
She was a stockholder.
What many didn’t realize was that the paperwork she and Mom had executed gave Dani the power of both our parents. That not only meant two votes, but it meant she could legally sit in Dad’s position as chairman of the board.
Yes, he was retired, but his chairmanship kept him involved.
“Damien,” Gloria said with a nod.
Ella squeezed my arm. “Excuse me, I’m going to speak with Dani.”
I laid my hand over hers for a moment.
Once she was gone, Gloria went on, “I’m sorry that it has come to this. With the unknown status of your father, we can’t wait any longer.”
“My father’s status isn’t unknown. He’s stable and under the care of competent medical personnel. Tell me what couldn’t wait.”
“Some alarming news has come to my attention, news that the board must sift through for the long-term security and longevity of Sinclair Pharmaceuticals. As vice-chair, it’s my responsibility to expose the concerns even if the timing is awkward.”
“Awkward,” I repeated. “You called a meeting when you knew that two members of the executive board would not be present. My name is Sinclair. I only have the best interest of this company in mind.” I took a breath. “I apologize, I forgot to congratulate you on the marriage of your daughter. I suppose that now makes you a Sinclair by proxy.”
“I would say that you missed your chance.”
“With Amber? No, Gloria, I passed. You’ll both learn that Darius isn’t an equal. She didn’t just swap one Sinclair for another.” I peered across the room, meeting Ella’s gaze, and back to Gloria. “I too am married. If it comes to it, be prepared to discuss the addendum.”
“Do you have proof?”
“Other than my beautiful bride, yes.”
A hush fell over the room as Darius and Amber entered. Mentally, I cringed at the sight of my brother’s face. The bruising was more than I’d realized. One eye was practically swollen shut.
“Darius…” Questions came from members of the board and stockholders alike.
What happened?
Are you seriously injured?
Did you file a police report?
Ella was back at my side. In a whisper, she said, “At least he’s sticking with the mugging story.”
“Oh good,” Gloria said, “Art Hatfield is here. Everyone is accounted for.” She looked at her watch and spoke to the room, “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s about time to call this meeting to order.”
A smile curled my lips as Lynwood approached Gloria. As parliamentarian, it was his duty to be certain that our meetings were conducted properly, and we followed Robert’s Rules of Order . Under normal circumstances, when the chairman was absent, the vice-chair would take charge.
These weren’t normal circumstances.
Ella, Dani, and I watched as Lyn Sharp explained the legal work that transpired yesterday, giving Danielle Sinclair the power as chairwoman. While they kept their voices low, body language suggested that Gloria was caught off guard. Amber walked over to her mother. If she were a cartoon, I imagined smoke coming from her ears.
I whispered to Ella and Dani. “In our game of chess, I believe that is check.”
Dani stepped forward. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming today. I was made aware that our vice-chair, Gloria Wilmott, has a few new matters to discuss with the board. If everyone can take a seat, we’ll begin.”
“She’s good,” Ella whispered.
She was. My sister was first and foremost a scientist with her PhD in chemistry. She innately understood the side of Sinclair Pharmaceuticals that I did not. She was as at home in a laboratory as I was in a boardroom, yet when push came to shove, Dani was a Sinclair and as such, could competently navigate the boardroom, much more than I could a laboratory.
The front table filled, with Dani sitting in for the chairman. Gloria took her seat as vice-chair. Rachel Stokes was secretary, Art Hatfield, treasurer, and Lyn Sharp took his seat as parliamentarian.
Danielle gaveled the meeting to order. “Mr. Sharp, could you please stand and address the board, explaining why I am here in this place of honor.”
Lyn stood. “Dr. Sinclair is obviously well-versed in many aspects of Sinclair Pharmaceuticals. As of yesterday, Dr. Sinclair was given the legal power of attorney to speak for her father, Derek Sinclair, and her mother, Marsha Sinclair. Accordingly, she will be conducting our meeting as ad hoc madam chairwoman.”
“Thank you, Mr. Sharp,” Dani said. “As a matter of order, Mrs. Stokes will read the minutes from our last meeting.”
As Rachel Stokes stood and spoke, I watched the uneasiness of Gloria. A quick turn of my head and I saw her displeasure mirrored by her daughter and son-in-law.
“Do we have any reports to share?” Dani asked.
The answer was no.
“Our next item of business is time-sensitive situations.”
“Madam chairwoman,” Gloria said. “I have a time-sensitive matter to discuss. It’s the reason I called this meeting.”
“Ms. Wilmott, the floor is yours.”
Gloria cleared her throat as she stood. “On a personal note, Dr. Sinclair and both Mr. Sinclairs, the board’s thoughts and prayers are with your parents at this difficult time.”
My nostrils flared as I inhaled.
Dani was kind enough to acknowledge the comment.
“News of Mr. Derek Sinclair’s illness has reached the masses,” Gloria went on. “His precarious health status has been reported by social media posts, news agencies, and financial media. Sinclair Pharmaceuticals appears weak in the eyes of the pharmacological world.”
“We are not weak,” Dani injected before I could stand.
“We are not, but we appear as such,” Gloria said. “As a board, we must stand behind the best leader for this company. It is obvious that Derek’s children are torn, their attention divided.”
Children?
All three of us?
Ella and I exchanged looks of confusion.
“Damien,” Dani said, “Mr. Damien Sinclair, you are CEO of Sinclair Pharmaceuticals. Please address the board as to your attention.”
Standing, I tugged at my suit coat before stepping away from my seat and walking to the front of the room. After flashing Gloria a smile, I addressed the board as well as the stockholders. “Thank you for your concern, Ms. Wilmott. Our father is on the road to recovery. It’s true that my siblings and I have spent many hours in the hospital in Florida. We love our father. That in no way means that Sinclair Pharmaceuticals has been neglected. I am the CEO, and I intend to continue my position. Under my leadership…” I went on to tout the accomplishments and financial gains over the last five years.
“You’re still under a probationary period,” Gloria said. “One your father felt was necessary to adhere to.”
“I am,” I admitted.
“Having a probationary CEO does not instill confidence,” Gloria said. “I believe it is time for a vote of no confidence.”
“Excuse me,” I said, “who doesn’t have confidence?”
“Me,” Darius said, standing.
“And me,” Amber added.
Slowly multiple other members of the stockholders stood to their feet. It wasn’t close to a majority; nevertheless, it was upsetting.
Dani pounded her gavel. “We just heard from our CEO as to what he has accomplished. I’d like to hear from some of you who want this no-confidence vote as to your reasoning.”
Amber raised her hand.
“Ms. Wilmott,” Dani said.
“Mrs. Sinclair,” Amber corrected.
A din of chatter filled the room.
“Order,” Dani said. “Mrs. Sinclair, you have the floor.”
“It has come to my husband’s attention that his brother, Damien, has and continues to compromise the integrity of Sinclair Pharmaceuticals.” Before anyone could comment, she added, “He’s working with our competitors.”