Deceived by You

by Marilyn Williams

  “I’m sorry I hurt you.” She reached up and cupped his face. “I was a lousy mother before and after Jack died. I would love to make up for the lost time, and I believe you would too. If not, you would have cut me completely out of your life long ago.”

  Justin jerked his head, forcing it out of his mother’s embrace. He turned to hide the tears begging to fall. He dabbed his eyes before facing her. “It’s much too late, mother. The damage you caused cuts too deep.”

  “It’s never too late, Justin. I will always regret how I failed you as a parent. I made you feel unloved, by allowing the men in my life to dictate our relationship. For that, I’m sorry. You are my son, and I love you.”

  He looked into his mother’s teary eyes and relented. Without saying a word, he placed his arms around her.

  “I allowed your father to steal precious time from us. Please don’t allow him to steal anymore,” she cried. “I want us to begin anew.”

  Justin thought about how much time he and his mother had lost. It was time to put the past where it belongs. “I forgive you, mother.”

  “Oh…” She burst into more tears.

  Justin led her inside and handed her a box of tissues. “You were right when you said we avoid whatever we don’t want to face. I’ve done it to Ava more than once, and she has forgiven me each time.”

  Corrine wiped her face. “It’s because of her I had the courage to see you. She convinced me to make this trip to talk to you.”

  “Family is important to her. She lost her father when she was in college. They weren’t close, and she didn’t have the chance to resolve their issues before he died. It took her years to come to terms with it. That’s why she pushed us to resolve our issues.”

  Corrine smiled and cupped her son’s face. “She’s a special one.”

  “I realize that more each day.” He placed a kiss on his mother’s hand. “I should go find her. Will you be okay?”

  “I’m better than okay. However, I am tired from the flight.”

  “Did Ava help settle you into the guest room?”

  “Yes. I’m on the main floor, right next to the library.”

  “Okay. Rest and we’ll talk later.” Before he could walk away, Corrine pulled him into another embrace. As he held on to his mother, his eyes filled with tears of happiness. He doesn’t believe all their problems will disappear in a day; but forgiveness was an excellent start. He pulled away and watched as she disappeared down the hall.

  When he reached his bedroom, Ava sat snuggled underneath a blanket on a chair with her tablet. “Hey,” he said, getting her attention.

  “Hi.” She closed the cover of her tablet and looked at him with her eyes full of anticipation. “So, what happened?”

  He sat on the chair facing her. “We had a breakthrough.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. We hashed out our issues, and I forgave her. We still have a way to go, but it’s a start.”

  Ava’s lips formed a grin, she then closed them like she was stifling herself from speaking.

  “Go ahead, you can say it.”

  She shook her head and smiled.

  “Go ahead.” He tried hard not to return her smile.

  “I said I wouldn’t.”

  He rested his back on the chair as he waited for the words.

  “I told you so!” she blurted. “Don’t you feel as if you’ve lifted a weight off your shoulders?”

  “I do,” he smiled.

  “Where is she now?”

  “Resting.” He reached for her and pulled her towards him, placing her on his lap. “I accused her of doing exactly what I did to you.”

  “What’s that?” Her fingers played with his hair.

  “I avoided sharing things with you because it was too difficult to face. I didn’t tell you about Lindsey and most importantly, my brother. That’s something I should’ve shared with you long ago. You forgave me, so I had to forgive her.”

  “Your father is a powerful man who uses fear, money, and control to get what he wants. There’s no doubt he forced your mother out of your life. He needs a big dose of reality.”

  “That’s what I plan to do. I think it’s time we listen to what’s on the flash drive.”

  “I’ll go get it.” Ava rummaged through her purse, retrieving a chrome USB drive. She turned on her laptop and inserted the drive. “Are you ready?”

  Justin nodded his head, and seconds later his father’s voice filled the room.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  “Are you sure this will work?” asked Corrine.

  “Yes, mother. We have the recording. There’s no way he can get himself out of this,” said Justin. He, his mother, and Ava stood in the lobby of Steele Pharmaceuticals. It’s been two weeks since he first heard the words of his father’s voice on the secret recording. Afterward, he knew what he had to do. He’d contacted each board member and requested an emergency meeting. Because his dad was out of town on business, Justin scheduled the meeting on the day of his return. In less than an hour, Christopher Harrington will no longer be CEO of the company he inherited from Justin’s grandfather.

  “Do you think we should tuck Corrine away until the meeting?” asked Ava. “We don’t want your father to know she’s here.”

  Justin and Corrine traded a glance. “I checked with his assistant, and he’s busy in his office on the top floor,” said Justin.

  “I think Ava is right,” added Corrine. “I know every nook and cranny of this building. I can find somewhere to hide until it’s time.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course. There are friends I’ve been dying to catch up with. Just send me a text when I’m needed.” She gave Justin a quick hug before heading down the corridor. Corrine Harrington was back to her fiery self. She’d dyed her gray hair brown, false eyelashes framed her eyes, ruby red lipstick enhanced her lips, and she strutted around in a black Dolce & Gabbana jumpsuit like she was on a runway in Paris.

  “Wow, you two have come a long way,” said Ava. She smiled like she was proud of her handy work.

  Justin slipped his free hand into his pants pocket, while the other gripped his briefcase. “Baby steps,” he frowned. “It’s incredible how your life can turn upside down in an instant. I’m at odds with my father, and my mother and I have made amends.”

  “After today, you and Chris will become more further apart than ever. Are you sure you have the votes?”

  “Once everyone hears what my father has done, he’s finished as CEO. I only need eight out of fifteen votes for removal. I’m positive that’s something I can accomplish.”

  “And he doesn’t know why you requested the meeting?”

  “I kept my communication with the board vague. I said I’d uncovered information of the utmost importance that could not wait until the next scheduled meeting. I’m sure my father is aware of the subject matter but has no idea what we’ve uncovered.”

  “Knowing him, he probably has his get-out-of-jail-free card ready?”

  “It doesn’t matter, because what I have will blindside him.”

  Ava rubbed his arm. “It’s almost time. We better go up.”

  “Do you understand why you can’t be in the boardroom?”

  “Fully. You said there’s a sitting area where I can wait, right?”

  “There’s a lounge-type area with a sofa, chairs, and a beverage station. The conference room wall is glass therefore you’ll see the fireworks, but it may be difficult to hear.”

  “It’s fine. I have my Ipad to keep me busy.”

  Justin and Ava rode the elevator to the twelfth floor. He silently followed the other members into the boardroom, while Ava made herself comfortable on a chair that faced the room.

  Each member glanced at the other with wonder in their eyes, as if they were trying to decipher why he’d requested a meeting. Justin nodded politely at everyone as he sat at one end of the grand oak table. It had six black swivel chairs on each side along with a chair on each end of the
table.

  Awaiting his father’s arrival made Justin anxious inside. His eyes perked when Nina entered the room. He stood and approached her before she could sit. “I’m glad you could make it,” he said, pulling her aside.

  “I assume this meeting is about Chris.”

  “Yes, I rather you learn why we’re here along with everyone else. I’m sure once you heard what I’ve uncovered, you’ll do the right thing.”

  “And what would that be?” she asked.

  “Listen to the evidence and vote your conscious.”

  Nina walked away as he peered out at Ava. Her eyes remained glued to her tablet to notice him staring. When he asked her to leave all she had known behind and join him in San Diego, he imagined they would have the time of their lives getting to know one another on a deeper level, creating a home they could love and grow in together. He expected them to travel to places she’s never been, allowing him to introduce her to new experiences. Instead, it has been one battle after another since they’d arrived.

  “Son, can you explain why you disrupted everyone’s schedule with a groundless meeting?” asked Christopher, bringing Justin out of his thoughts.

  He turned and met his father’s eyes. “That’s a matter of opinion, isn’t it?”

  His father smirked as he took his seat. “As Chairman, I’m calling this meeting to order,” said Chris.

  Justin faced his father at the opposite end of the table. He kept direct eye contact with him as he stated the date and time of the meeting for the record. The Secretary then conducted a formal roll call of the members in attendance.

  “Vice-Chairman, Justin Harrington, has called this emergency meeting. I will now give him the floor,” said Chris. A smirk encompassed his face as he leaned back in his chair.

  Justin rose to his feet, thanking everyone for attending on such short notice. “Recently, egregious conduct made by our Chief Executive Officer has been brought to my attention. I felt it was imperative to bring this information to the board’s attention. I take no pleasure in doing so, because the CEO is also my father, but I had no choice.”

  His father continued to eye him with the same smug look. Justin knew for sure he had an ace up his sleeve. He continued to explain to the board all he had uncovered concerning his father’s actions with the FDA. He expressed the harm he has put the company in by failing to conduct clinical trials, ignoring failed clinical trials, and bribing his way to approval. As Justin spoke, he noticed the faces of concern on some board members and knew he could sway their vote. The others sat stone faced. Those were his father’s loyalists and would be harder to crack.

  “I know many of you here find what I’m presenting to the board hard to believe. I understand, because I had a hard time coming to terms with my father putting my family’s legacy in jeopardy. Therefore, I would like this audio I obtained to put it in perspective for you.”

  Justin inserted the flash drive into his laptop. Before he opened the file, he glanced in his father’s direction. For the first time, he noticed creases of worry on his forehead. Chris leaned forward in his chair, waiting along with everyone else for him to press play.

  “Thanks for meeting with me, Chris.”

  “When Senator Gavin Kincaid calls, you better make time.”

  “Cut the senator bullshit. Tonight, it’s two old friends getting together.”

  “Scotch?”

  “No thanks, I rather get to why I called you here,” said Gavin.

  “So, it’s not old friends sharing a drink,” said Chris.

  “Yes and no. I heard rumblings in the Capitol halls.”

  “What sort of rumblings?”

  “You, FDA, and money changing hands.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “You know your company is the enemy right now. Everyone’s complaining about the cost of medication, the opioid crisis, and everything else under the sun your industry has no control of.”

  “Somebody has to be the bad guy,” laughed Chris.

  “There’s a watchdog group making a lot of noise. They’re not only targeting other pharmaceutical companies, but yours is on top of the list.”

  “Gavin, there will always be a group, run by a bunch of loser assholes, who wants to give my company negative press. Let them! Why should I give a damn?”

  “Because they are powerful and making a lot of noise. Election year is around the corner, and if the wrong person gets an inkling what you’ve done, they could make it their platform to run on. Do you really want a spotlight on yourself and your company right now?”

  “It sounds like you have a suggestion.”

  “Cut me in.”

  “In, what?”

  “I can make it all go away, Chris. The head of that group. What’s their name? Oh yeah, Alliance of Accountability. They called my office seeking a meeting. They’re looking to attach themselves to someone hungry for re-election. I can lead them on and down the wrong path. We can help each other.”

  “And I thought we were friends.”

  “I’m sure the person sitting on that committee is also your friend.”

  “I can’t just write an elected official a check.”

  “No, but you can make an enormous campaign contribution. What’s your arrangement with your other guy?”

  “This is between us?”

  “If I screw you, I’m essentially screwing myself.”

  “For a handsome fee, he ensures every drug that goes before the committee is submitted for approval. In some cases, the drug hasn’t had a single clinical trial.”

  “No, shit?”

  “I have several members in my back pocket. So, if you keep those hound dogs off my ass. I could show my appreciation with a generous contribution.”

  Justin stopped the audio and tried not to grin in response to the expression on his father’s face. His face was beet red, and teeth were clenched. He looked as if he were about to explode.

  “I don’t know where you obtained that recording, but that is not me!” shouted Chris. “Has it been authenticated?”

  “I think everyone here knows your relationship with the senator and without a doubt know it’s your voice,” said Justin.

  “But, have you authenticated it?”

  He couldn’t believe the game he was playing. “We could waste everyone’s time and authenticate the recording. But, if we do, then we’re opening the company up to scrutiny. You don’t want that, do you?”

  “What are you suggesting we do?” asked Nina.

  “We all here know what needs to be done. I motion to remove my father as CEO from Steele Pharmaceuticals.”

  Nina gasped, as her eyes grew wide.

  Chris stood, meeting Justin’s glare. “Alright son, let’s put it to a vote.”

  His smugness didn’t deter Justin one bit. He knew it was all a cover. “Let’s do it.”

  “All those in favor of my removal as CEO raise your hand.”

  Justin raised his hand, and his eyes, along with everyone else’s, jetted around the table to count the raised hands.

  “Let the record show there are six yeas,” said Chris, with a smile.

  Justin frowned and quickly texted his mother while the secretary recorded the information.

  “All those in favor for me to remain in position as CEO raise your hand.”

  Chris raised his hand.

  Justin frowned at Nina’s raised hand. He could feel the knife twist in his back.

  “Let the record show there are seven nays. Along with the two voting proxies I have for Corrine Harrington, that brings the total to nine nays. I’m sure you’ve forgotten I had control of your mother’s proxy when she’s not present. Isn’t that right, son?”

  “Actually, I’m aware of the two votes mother has. One for herself, and the other that belonged to Jack. The judge granted it to her in the divorce. I underestimated the board’s ability to see the truth.” He shot Nina a look.

  “You wasted enough of our time. Here it
is an hour later, and I’m still CEO,” he grinned.

  “Not so fast!” Gasps filled the room as Corrine burst through the door of the boardroom.

  “What in the hell are you doing here?” asked Chris.

  “I’m here to vote your ass out!” She dragged a chair to the table beside Chris. “You have not adjourned the meeting and according to the bylaws we can conduct a second vote since the first vote included a proxy.”

  Chris grimaced and glared at Corrine as he requested raised hands for his removal. The six that voted before remained unchanged. That number along with Corrine’s two votes, equaled eight votes for Chris’ removal. With the nays at seven, it was official his father was no longer CEO. In response, Chris muttered several obscenities underneath his breath.

  “Because the board has officially removed our Chairman, as Vice-Chair I will immediately assume the duties of the Chair,” said Justin. “My first motion I would like to appoint Corrine Harrington as interim CEO. All in favor, raise your hand.” After all the votes were counted his mother had enough to become interim CEO.

  “This is complete bullshit!” shouted Chris.

  Justin ignored him and sprinted towards Corrine to hug her.

  “This was all your doing,” said Chris to Corrine.

  Justin attempted to intervene, but his mother held him back. “I’ve got this handle.” She dragged Chris into a corner. In all the commotion, he’d forgotten to adjourn the meeting. “Meeting is adjourned, everyone. Thank you.” He watched as Nina stood and gathered her things. He moved closer to her. “What does he have on you?” he asked.

  “Excuse me, what are you talking about?”

  “You voted twice in his favor. I thought you and I were friends.”

  “I’m sorry, Justin. I can’t get behind you on this.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because this is all about Ava.”

  “You ignored all my father’s destructive behavior because of the person I’ve chosen to be with?”