The Call Boy I Met in Paris – Episode 66
The boardroom doors opened onto a gathering arranged to resemble judgment. Sophie’s father sat near Robert Cooper, while Stella and Karen occupied chairs along the wall as if their family connection entitled them to witness corporate decisions. Several directors avoided Sophie’s eyes.
She took the chair at the head of the table and placed Kendall’s packet before her. “Thank you for attending on such short notice.” Her calm greeting denied Cooper the satisfaction of seeing her surprised.
“You called this meeting,” Cooper said. “Do not pretend it is a courtesy.”
“Then we will begin.” Sophie distributed the first report. “For the past two years, Swift Enterprise’s financial statements have been a mess, and our market share has declined rapidly. Can someone explain why?”
The directors turned pages filled with delayed projects, unexplained expenses, and contracts approved before Sophie became chief executive. Responsibility led directly toward her father’s management team and Cooper’s oversight.
Cooper pushed the report aside. “What is the meaning of this? Are you trying to blame and oust your father and sister from the company?”
Sophie met his anger without raising her voice. “You are the vice president, Mr. Cooper. I did not realize you lacked even the most basic professional manners.”
His face darkened. “You always mix business with personal grievances.”
“Everything I mentioned is a business matter. Revenue, market share, expenses, and contracts are not family feelings.”
Karen stood from her chair. “You little bitch. You become CEO and suddenly dare to speak arrogantly to a veteran who served this company before you understood what one was.”
Sophie looked at her with deliberate confusion. “Pardon me. Who are you?”
The insult silenced the room more effectively than shouting. Karen’s face went rigid.
“Do you own shares?” Sophie continued. “Are you an officer, employee, adviser, or invited representative of any shareholder?”
“I am your father’s wife.”
“That is not a corporate position.” Sophie turned to security waiting outside the glass doors. “This is a board meeting. Anyone without authorization must leave.”
Karen stepped toward the table, but the guards entered before she reached Sophie. “Do not touch me,” she snapped, wrenching her arm away. “I can walk by myself.”
Stella hurried after her mother, then spun back toward Sophie. “How can you treat her like this?”
Sophie closed the financial report. “This is a board meeting, not a parent-teacher conference. You did graduate high school, did you not?”