Page 158 of Dirty Damage

It’sours.

I clear my throat and begin. “It seems that our CEO has not been entirely transparent with any of us. Pavlov Industries wasthisclose to a deal that none of us had signed off on…”

The projector hums to life behind me, numbers flooding the screen. It’s proof that Boris was in the process of putting a bid in on Cordova Group, one of the Martineks’ businesses.

The second I uncovered the deal, I understood why Boris refused to back my surveillance project—all of his money was tied up in this lost cause of a company.

He was about to throw away everything. Probably because the Martineks have something on him. He had no choice.

It’s also why Boris’s face is growing grayer by the second.

He splutters like he’s choking on his own bullshit. “I am the CEO! I have every right to make decisions that will benefit the company!”

“Except this deal wouldn’t have benefited anyone but our rivals.” I gesture to the projector screen, where the numbers tell their own damning story. “Any fool can see buying this asset would have lost us millions.”

“That… You can’t… It’s not clear?—”

“Look at the numbers,” I tell the board. “You don’t have to take my word for it.”

“Th-this was an… opportunity… I’ve negotiated down the price and?—”

“Actually, the deal won’t be going through,” I announce. “Oksana and I withdrew your offer this morning. Pavlov Industries will not be sinking millions into a rival firm’s failed pet project.”

“You did not?—!”

“We most certainly did.” My mother joins me at the head of the table. “My goal has always been the successful future of this company. You were about to plunge us into ruin, Boris. I was forced to act.”

“You betrayed me,” he hisses.

I step between them, towering over my uncle’s suddenly diminished shape. “No. You’re the one who committed the betrayal. Lucky for you, I found out in time to stop the deal.”

My mother places both hands on the table. “My son not only saved us untold millions, but he also saved our company’s reputation.”

Boris opens and closes his mouth like a fish gasping for air.

Before he can find his voice, my mother turns to the rest of the room. “I propose a new vote.”

I tense, caught off-guard. This wasn’t part of the strategy session this morning.

“Boris didn’t believe that Oleg’s security system was a worthwhile investment—he didn’t believe it was the right path forward for Pavlov Industries. But now that you’ve seen the path Boris did choose—the one he tried to take behind your backs and to your detriment—I think it’s time we make a decision on my son’s dream. Especially now that our cash reserves aren’t tied up in lost causes.”

Well, I’ll be damned.

“I object!” Boris blusters, his jowls quivering. “We already voted on this issue?—”

“And now, I’m calling another vote.” My mother’s voice could freeze hell itself. “Oleg and I will adhere to the board’s decision. Will you?”

Boris white-knuckles the table edge. “Th-this is… unnecessary.”

“I suppose we’ll find out.” Mother turns to address the board. “All in favor of backing Oleg’s surveillance system?”

Hands rise around the table one by one. Even Boris’s most loyal dogs lift their paws. The only hand that stays down belongs to my uncle.

“This is preposterous?—!”

“You can posture all you want, Uncle,” I interrupt. “But the decision has been made. We are officially moving into the twenty-first century.”

Boris lurches to his feet. His glare sweeps the room, promising vengeance, before he storms out.

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