Page 35 of Rekindling Desire

“As long as he is on probation…” Gloria began.

“Take a no-confidence vote,” Darius said, standing and speaking over the growing chatter. He looked around the room. “What shareholders here today were surprised by the low stock revenues the last quarter?”

Heads nodded.

He went on, “Anyone can make up statistics. The real numbers are the ones on our quarterly dividends, and they are obviously down.”

“Down,” Damien said, “because of reappropriating the funds. Revenue isn’t down.”

I took in the expressions of the board members. With each face, I was confident that Damien would survive the vote. I also knew it wouldn’t be unanimous, which in itself would be a ding against him.

“Madam Chairwoman,” I said, once again standing, “I move that a vote be tabled until I, as the Beta Kappa Phi campaign manager, have the chance to discuss the board’s concerns with the other CEOs of the coalition. It seems obvious that the voiced concern isn’t about Damien’s performance for Sinclair.”

“You can’t make a motion,” Darius said.

Standing taller, I repeated what Damien had told me yesterday. “As Damien’s wife, his property is my property. I’m now a shareholder in Sinclair Pharmaceuticals.”

“And that is the issue,” Amber added. “You can’t represent the entire coalition—”

Dani hit the gavel again. “We are not the coalition. I call for a verbal vote to table the no-confidence vote until we have more information making this discussion relevant to our board.”

“I second,” Lyn Sharp said.

“All of those in favor of tabling the call for a no-confidence vote, say yay.”

Responses came from the board and the room.

“Those opposed.”

Nays came from the room and front table.

Dani sat taller. “With a show of hands. Yays.”

My focus was on the board. Shareholders couldn’t vote. Art Hatfield, Lynwood Sharp, and Dani lifted their hands.

“Those opposed.”

Gloria, Rachel Stokes, and Grace Haas lifted their hands.

Dani nodded. “The decision is made. The vote will be tabled.”

“It was a tie,” Gloria said.

It was Lyn who addressed the concern. “Dr. Sinclair has the voting power of both Derek and Marsha Sinclair. That makes the vote four to three in favor of tabling the vote.”

“Thank you, Mr. Sharp. Is there any other business?” Dani asked.

“The addendum,” Damien said.

Dani nodded. “It was brought to my brother’s attention that there is an old addendum in the company bylaws, a clause that would allow the appointment of a CEO if the candidate were married. In essence, it would remove the remainder of Damien’s probationary period now that he is married, making him a permanent CEO.” She turned to Gloria. “That permanent appointment would demonstrate the strength you are concerned about.”

“We can’t put someone into a position of power with a no-confidence vote hanging over his head,” Gloria replied.

“I’ve never seen this addendum,” Mr. Hatfield said.

“Me either,” Grace Haas added.

Gloria turned to me. “The board would need proof of a marriage.”

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