Arthur Bell nodded. “Go ahead, Mrs Hart.”

“I propose that Daniel Hart is suspended as chief executive, effective immediately, until a full independent audit is complete.”

“You can't do this,” Daniel said. His voice cracked. “This is my company. I've worked eighteen-hour days for twelve years while you sat at home—”

“Raising your son,” I said. “Running your house. Hosting your clients for dinner. Remembering your mother's birthday. Reading every report you sent to my father's company, and never once asking for credit.”

I stood up.

“You said I never contributed anything. Daniel, I contributed the company.”

Nobody laughed this time.

“All in favour,” said Arthur Bell.

My hand went up. Then Arthur's. Then, one by one, the other board members. Even the finance director, who had once ignored me at a Christmas party for two hours.

“Motion carried.”

Daniel looked around the table for one friendly face. There wasn't one.

Vanessa stood up so fast her chair fell over. “I'm not taking the blame for this. He told me it was fine. It was all his idea.”

She grabbed her bag and walked out. She didn't look back at him.