I explained to the shocked audience that Northstar had begun evaluating Aurelia Systems after lenders threatened liquidation because the company possessed excellent engineers but lacked honest executive control. Julian angrily moved toward the stage demanding that I come down to discuss this at home but
hotel security quietly closed the aisle to block his path. I reminded him firmly that he lost the right to give me orders when he placed his hands on me in anger earlier that evening. Camilla stepped away from him and claimed she had nothing to do with his actions. I agreed but pointed out that her own choices involved nineteen fraudulent invoices from a fake consulting company registered to her brother. I explained that while reviewing the confidential corporate books I had noticed recurring market access fees just below the threshold requiring board approval. Julian had approved every single payment while hotel records proved that corporate funds covered their weekend trips disguised as fake client meetings. The screens behind me displayed a clear timeline of the fraudulent payments and unauthorized luxury bookings
Julian pointed at me with a shaking hand and insisted that I could not fire him because his contract guaranteed five years of generous executive compensation. I smiled for the first time that evening and informed him that his protection only applied if he were dismissed without cause. The general counsel opened her black folder and listed the investigative findings including fraudulent expense reports and undisclosed conflicts of interest alongside vendor kickbacks. Because the company supplied components under federal contracts the board had already referred the undeniable evidence to the appropriate authorities for formal prosecution. Camilla panicked and grabbed Julian by the sleeve reminding him that he promised the invoices were protected. Malcolm read the board resolutions stating that Julian was terminated for cause effective immediately with all his unvested equity canceled and bonuses revoked. Camilla was suspended pending termination proceedings and both were permanently barred from company property. Security and local police officers escorted Julian out of the building because his physical aggression toward me had been captured by the hotel ballroom cameras and witnessed by multiple guests.
