Chapter 13 - When the Family Broke
Adrian stopped answering calls.
At nine Wednesday morning, his attorney notified Hart Hospitality that Adrian would temporarily step away from board responsibilities.
At ten, reporters gathered outside headquarters.
At eleven, Lorraine Hart was taken to a hospital after suffering a panic attack.
At noon, Hart Hospitality stock in private secondary markets began dropping as lenders questioned whether the Hart Square scandal involved historical financial misstatements.
Derek called an emergency board meeting.
Evelyn attended.
The room felt hostile.
Patricia Wynn began.
“We are not deciding guilt today.”
Derek nodded solemnly.
“We are deciding whether Evelyn’s handling of this matter is threatening the company.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“You leaked Martha’s theft file.”
Derek smiled.
“Prove it.”
“You threatened her housing.”
“I did not.”
“You offered her three million for evidence.”
“That was an acquisition offer.”
“Of course.”
A director interrupted.
“This is exactly the problem. Every conversation becomes personal.”
Evelyn looked around.
“My father’s disappearance was covered up using company resources.”
“We don’t know that conclusively.”
“We have recordings.”
“From 1995.”
“We have financial records.”
“Then let authorities investigate.”
Derek leaned forward.
“Meanwhile, Hart Square needs governance.”
There it was.
He wanted the project separated from the scandal.
Evelyn said, “The project itself is built on the fraud.”
Derek shook his head.
“No court has ruled that.”
“The original option was approved through false declarations.”
“An allegation.”
Naomi spoke.
“The title concerns are substantial.”
Derek replied, “Then litigate them after closing.”
Evelyn almost laughed.
“After your perpetual participation right becomes effective?”
Several directors turned toward Derek.
He had not disclosed that detail broadly.
Patricia frowned.
“What perpetual right?”
Derek’s face hardened.
Evelyn explained.
Eight percent commercial-revenue participation if redevelopment approval occurred before October 15.
Potential value: hundreds of millions.
One director stared at Derek.
“And your company owns twenty-two percent of Harbor Meridian?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t disclose this conflict?”
“It was contained in the project data room.”
“That is not the same as highlighting it to the board.”
Derek snapped, “Everyone here has attorneys.”
His mask slipped.
The directors saw it.
But Evelyn’s victory lasted only seconds.
Derek distributed another document.
A sworn declaration from Adrian Hart.
Evelyn stared.
It claimed Henry had voluntarily approved the original Harbor Meridian strategy before his disappearance.
“That is a lie.”
Derek replied, “Your brother signed it yesterday.”
Evelyn’s stomach dropped.
Adrian was still protecting himself.
Derek continued.
“And Mrs. Lorraine Hart has reaffirmed her 1995 declaration.”
Evelyn stood.
“My mother is in a hospital.”
“She signed two days ago.”
Naomi looked at the signature.
“It should be independently reviewed.”
Derek smiled.
“Review anything you like.”
A motion was introduced.
Temporarily suspend Evelyn’s authority over Hart Square pending independent investigation.
Voting began.
Five supported Evelyn.
Five supported suspension.
Patricia Wynn held the deciding vote.
Evelyn looked at her.
Patricia closed her eyes.
Then said, “Suspend.”
The motion passed.
Derek exhaled.
For the first time since the parking lot, he had regained formal power.
Hart Square oversight transferred to a special committee.
Derek’s financing process could continue.
Evelyn left without speaking.
Outside, Martha waited.
“What happened?”
“I lost.”
“For now.”
“No.”
Evelyn looked at her.
“I lost control of the project.”
Martha took her arm.
“We still have the truth.”
Evelyn laughed bitterly.
“Truth without votes is a speech.”
Martha stared.
“Your father didn’t believe that.”
“My father disappeared.”
The words came out cruelly.
Martha’s face fell.
Evelyn immediately regretted them.
“I’m sorry.”
Martha nodded.
“I know what anger does when it needs somewhere to land.”
The parking lot again.
Derek’s failed business call.
The overturned cart.
Evelyn looked ashamed.
Martha continued.
“Don’t become him because he’s winning.”
Evelyn’s phone rang.
Sarah.
She was crying.
“Mom’s apartment was searched.”
Evelyn froze.
“By whom?”
“Police.”
Martha grabbed the phone.
“Why?”
Sarah answered.
“Someone reported stolen Hart documents.”
Martha’s face went white.
Police had found a box in Martha’s storage closet.
Inside were original Hart Hospitality financial records dated 1995.
Records Martha insisted she had never seen.
Naomi arrived within the hour.
Chain-of-custody questions made the discovery immediately suspicious.
But headlines did not wait.
ELDERLY HART ACCUSER FOUND WITH STOLEN COMPANY FILES.
Derek’s strategy was obvious.
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Destroy Martha’s credibility.
And this time, he had given law enforcement physical evidence.
