Nobody moved.
Then I noticed the documents in front of them.
At the top were four words.
**EMERGENCY LEADERSHIP TRANSITION PLAN.**
My stomach tightened.
I picked up the first page.
It proposed temporarily removing me from executive control.
Appointing Malcolm as acting chief executive.
And establishing Trevor as successor.
I looked around the table.
“Who authorized this meeting?”
Malcolm looked uncomfortable.
“We were discussing possible contingencies.”
I placed the paper down.
“Contingencies for what?”
He hesitated.
“Your health.”
I stared at him.
Then I slowly removed my sunglasses.
The bruising around my cheek was still visible.
“This is what happened to my health.”
Nobody spoke.
I looked directly at Trevor.
“Your proposed successor did this.”
My son’s face went white.
One director pushed back his chair.
“Gloria, we weren’t told—”
“I know.”
My voice remained steady.
“That’s why I’m telling you now.”
***
The meeting ended quickly.
The directors refused to approve the proposed transition without independent review.
