Chapter 8 - THE BOARDROOM BATTLE
The boardroom erupted into chaos. Board members shouted over each other, but Daniel raised one massive hand, and the room instantly fell silent. The man had built this empire with his bare hands, and his presence still demanded absolute respect.
“Daniel, you are out of your mind,” Robert hissed, trying to mask his panic. “You’re a criminal. And you—” he sneered at the board, “—are you going to listen to a man who can’t even read the agenda in front of him?”
Gasps echoed around the table. The ultimate secret was out.
Daniel didn’t flinch. He stood tall, his shoulders squared. He looked at Claire, who nodded at him with fierce, unwavering pride.
“It’s true,” Daniel said, his voice deep and steady. “For most of my life, words on a page have looked like broken glass. I am severely dyslexic. I hid it because I was ashamed. And Robert Hale used my shame to hijack this company.”
“He’s lying!” Robert yelled. “He’s an illiterate fraud!”
“I couldn’t read the words, Robert,” Daniel said, stepping forward, “but I built the engines. I know every mathematical equation, every stress test, every alloy limit in this building. And now... I know my letters, too.”
Daniel reached into his jacket and pulled out the forged transfer document Robert had tried to use to steal his house. He placed it on the table and put on a pair of reading glasses.
The room held its breath.
Daniel traced his finger under the words, speaking slowly, deliberately, his voice booming with hard-won victory.
“Article... four. Sec-tion... two. In the event of... fraud-u-lent transfer... the sign-a-tory forfeits all shares... and faces im-med-i-ate ter-min-a-tion.”
Daniel took off his glasses and stared dead into Robert’s eyes. “You forged my signature in black ink, Robert. I only use blue. And I have the recording of you admitting to the safety breach fifteen years ago.”
Claire pressed play on the recorder. Robert’s arrogant, younger voice filled the room, confessing to the crime that had haunted Daniel for a decade and a half.
Robert backed away from the table, his face devoid of blood. He bumped into the glass wall, looking desperately for an exit.
The boardroom doors opened again. Two FBI agents, led by a very smug-looking Walter Briggs, stepped inside.
“Robert Hale?” the lead agent said, holding up a pair of handcuffs. “We have a warrant for your arrest for corporate espionage, forgery, and manslaughter.”
Robert Hale was dragged out of the room, kicking and screaming, his pristine suit rumpled and ruined.
The board members sat in stunned silence. Finally, the chairman stood up, looking at Daniel with profound respect. “Daniel... we had no idea. What do you want to do now?”
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Daniel looked at Claire. He walked over, took her hand, and kissed her knuckles.
“I want to go home,” Daniel said. “I have homework to do.”
