Chapter 10 - The Public Suspension|
Julian took a shaky step toward the stage, his hands raised in a desperate gesture of appeal.
“Audrey... listen to me. This is a misunderstanding. It’s an internal accounting dispute. We can fix this in private!”
“There is no misunderstanding,” Audrey replied. “And there is no private fixing.”
She looked over at Chairman Malcolm Reed, who gave her a single, firm nod.
“Effective immediately,” Audrey announced, her voice echoing clearly through the speaker system, “Julian Vance is suspended from all executive duties at Aurelia Systems, pending the completion of a full criminal investigation.”
Julian’s eyes bulged.
“You can’t suspend me! I built this strategy!”
“Northstar owns fifty-eight percent of the voting shares, Julian,” Audrey said flatly. “I can, and I just did.”
“And by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors forty minutes ago,” Malcolm added, stepping up to the mic, “Camilla Price is also suspended indefinitely without pay.”
Camilla let out a choked sob and covered her face with her hands.
“This is insane!” Julian yelled, turning to the sea of employees behind him, hoping to find support. “Are you all just going to stand there and watch this happen? I’m your Chief Strategy Officer!”
Not a single employee spoke.
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Near the middle of the room, a senior software engineer slowly raised his hands and began to applaud. Within five seconds, the applause spread like wildfire, building into a deafening roar of clapping and cheers from the eight hundred workers who had suffered under Julian’s budget cuts.
Julian backed away from the stage, his face turning a dark, bruised shade of purple.
