Chapter 7 - Fourteen Percent
The fourteen percent became a problem larger than Marcus expected.
Until that week, shares were numbers in business articles.
Now he learned that Linda’s old ownership interest in Vale Holdings had carried real voting power.
When she signed the settlement agreement, those shares moved into a family trust controlled by Richard.
Over the years, the trust voted largely with Caroline.
Vale Development was preparing to combine with a private infrastructure fund.
If Linda’s fourteen percent reverted to her, the balance of voting power could shift.
Caroline’s planned promotion to chief executive might fail.
Suddenly the watch incident looked even less impulsive.
Marcus sat in Rebecca’s office while she explained.
“If the old agreement was procured through fraudulent evidence, Linda may have claims.”
“Does she automatically get the shares back?”
“No.”
“Could Caroline go to prison?”
“Possibly for conduct that falls within applicable criminal law, depending on what prosecutors can prove and limitations periods. But old misconduct and current misconduct are different legal questions.”
Marcus nodded.
Rebecca spoke to him like an adult without pretending the law was magical.
“What about planting the watch?”
“That was recorded. Whether it results in charges is separate. Richard owns the watch. Marcus did not possess it knowingly. The larger consequence may be evidentiary and professional.”
Linda sat quietly.
Marcus looked at her.
“Do you want the shares?”
She seemed surprised.
“I haven’t decided.”
“It’s millions of dollars.”
“It is also a piece of a company that destroyed your father’s reputation.”
“Companies don’t do things.”
Linda looked at him.
He continued.
“People do.”
Richard had told him that.
Marcus had corrected it in his head.
Now he believed it.
That evening, the Vale board held an emergency session.
Caroline was temporarily removed from the restructuring committee pending independent review.
She remained a director.
She remained a shareholder.
No dramatic expulsion.
No guards escorting her from the building.
Just a resolution.
Seven votes to two.
Richard returned to the penthouse after midnight.
Marcus and Linda were still there because heavy rain had flooded several subway lines.
He found them eating leftover Chinese food in the kitchen.
“You’re still here.”
Marcus lifted a carton.
“Your refrigerator is terrifying.”
Richard almost smiled.
“How?”
“You have six kinds of mustard and no normal food.”
“That is normal food.”
“No.”
Linda watched them cautiously.
The relationship between Marcus and Richard had not yet earned warmth.
Small jokes felt almost dangerous.
Richard poured himself water.
“The board voted.”
Linda’s body tightened.
“And?”
He explained.
Then he looked at Marcus.
“Caroline sent a statement to the directors accusing me of using an old family grievance to alter corporate succession.”
Marcus asked, “Is she wrong?”
Richard looked surprised.
Linda said, “Marcus.”
“What? He was already thinking about replacing her before this?”
Richard answered.
“No.”
“So the evidence did change corporate succession.”
“Yes.”
“Then part of what she said is true.”
Richard sat.
“You are annoyingly precise.”
“Thank you.”
“It wasn’t praise.”
“It sounded like it.”
Linda almost laughed.
Then Richard’s expression became serious.
“Caroline also claims Julian is lying to avoid his own liability.”
Marcus shrugged.
“He probably is trying to help himself.”
Richard nodded.
“That doesn’t mean he’s lying.”
Exactly.
A selfish witness could still possess real evidence.
A frightened witness could still tell the truth late.
A loving mother could still hide something damaging.
Marcus’s world had become less comfortable.
It also felt more accurate.
His phone buzzed.
A classmate had sent a link.
LOCAL BUSINESS HEIR ACCUSED IN DECADES-OLD CORPORATE THEFT DISPUTE.
Marcus stared.
The story included Daniel’s name.
Linda grabbed the phone.
“Oh no.”
Someone had leaked information.
The article said Daniel Hale, deceased former Vale employee, had “previously confessed to stealing confidential materials.”
The new evidence was mentioned only vaguely.
Marcus felt sick.
Eleven years of silence.
And now his father’s name was publicly attached to theft again.
Richard read the article.
His face hardened.
“I’ll issue a statement.”
Marcus looked at him.
“Saying what?”
“That new evidence calls the original findings into serious question.”
“No.”
Richard stared.
Marcus stood.
“Don’t say ‘calls into question.’”
“Marcus—”
“If you believe Dad was framed, say it.”
“We need the investigation completed.”
“Then say you were wrong to treat the old confession as final.”
Richard did not answer.
Marcus understood.
Corporate language was another hiding place.
He pushed his chair away.
“That’s the difference between you and Dad.”
Richard’s face changed.
“What?”
“Dad signed a lie because it protected us.”
Marcus held up the article.
“You’re hiding behind uncertainty because it protects the company.”
Then he walked out of the kitchen.
His phone buzzed again.
Another message.
This time from an unknown account.
A photograph loaded.
Daniel Hale leaving Vale headquarters eleven years earlier.
Below it:
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON.
Marcus stared at the screen.
May you like
For the first time, the family lie had followed him outside the penthouse.
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