Page 125 of Sinclair Duet

“You will have information regarding all the companies within the coalition. I assume you and your husband will share a bed?—”

“Objection,” Damien said. “What you’re insinuating would benefit Sinclair, not be a detriment if it were to occur. However, it will not. My wife is a professional, and as for our wedded status orsleeping arrangements” —he emphasized the words— “there will be no effect on the coalition in any way other than an added incentive for the campaign to be successful. That would be for all the companies in the coalition.”

I took my seat as Dani banged her gavel. “If this was the smoking gun, Ms. Wilmott…”

“This could reflect poorly on Sinclair if with this new campaign,” Gloria said, “other companies grow uncomfortable with the relationship Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair share?—”

Dani interrupted. “That is not our concern.”

“It is if Sinclair is seen in a less-than-stellar light within the pharmacological community. More than that,” Gloria went on, “I’m concerned with Mr. Damien Sinclair’s lack of communication with the board of directors. As CEO he must answer to the chair.”

“At this moment,” Dani said, “that would be me. Damien has communicated with me each step of the way. If the pharma coalition is concerned about their campaign, that is their business, not that of Sinclair Pharmaceuticals.”

“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.”

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