Assuming I would simply flee in tears, Daniel instructed security to escort me from the premises, completely missing the sudden panic washing over Chairman Robert Lang. I calmly dried my face and used my phone to contact our corporate counsel Eleanor Price, instructing her to terminate the new director immediately. Daniel laughed at my apparent desperation until the ballroom doors opened to reveal Eleanor flanked by Chief Executive Officer Martin Shaw, the head of human resources, and two prominent board members. Martin marched straight to my husband and announced that his promotion was rescinded and his employment was terminated, prompting a wave of absolute shock across the room. When Daniel demanded to know why company lawyers were speaking with me, Eleanor firmly explained that I represented the largest voting block in the entire organization. Chairman Lang stepped forward to verify my identity as the primary restructuring investor, watching Daniel finally realize that his constant mockery of my rural background had been directed at the woman who literally owned his career.
