Chapter 11 - THE TRAITOR AT ASTERION
Camille stood at the head of Asterion Systems' boardroom.
The morning sunlight reflected across the glass walls.
Below, employees hurried through the headquarters, unaware that their company's future had nearly been sold without their knowledge.
Around the table sat eight directors.
People Camille had trusted.
People who had helped build Asterion.
People who now watched her with varying degrees of concern.
Thomas Renard sat beside her.
Sofia Bennett occupied a chair near the door.
Evelyn Brooks had joined remotely.
Camille looked at each director.
Then she spoke.
“Someone inside this company has been cooperating with an outside group attempting to acquire control of Asterion.”
Silence.
Marc Vautrin's chair was empty.
He remained unreachable.
Camille continued.
“We have evidence of unauthorized access to confidential records, undisclosed financial relationships, and an attempted deletion of company files.”
One director, Philippe Dumas, leaned forward.
“Camille, are you suggesting someone here committed fraud?”
“I'm saying we have serious evidence of misconduct.”
Philippe frowned.
“Then why involve the entire board?”
“Because the proposed acquisition involved information that only certain directors could access.”
Another director shifted uncomfortably.
Camille placed a document on the table.
“Meridian Strategic Partners.”
Philippe's expression changed.
It was brief.
But Camille noticed.
She had spent nine years negotiating with investors.
She knew how people reacted when they recognized a name they hoped would remain hidden.
“Does anyone know this company?” she asked.
No one answered.
Then Philippe cleared his throat.
“I've heard of them.”
Camille turned toward him.
“In what context?”
“Investment banking.”
“Have you worked with them?”
“No.”
“Are you certain?”
Philippe's jaw tightened.
“Of course.”
Camille nodded toward Sofia.
Sofia opened a folder.
“Mr. Dumas, we have records indicating that a holding company associated with your family received consulting payments from Meridian.”
Philippe stiffened.
“That doesn't mean anything.”
“Then perhaps you can explain the payments.”
He folded his arms.
“My family's investments are private.”
Camille remained calm.
“Not when they create undisclosed conflicts involving this company.”
Philippe looked around the table.
“This is outrageous.”
Camille pressed a button.
A screen displayed a transaction summary.
Payments totaling 2.4 million euros.
A consulting agreement.
And a confidentiality clause.
Philippe's face drained of color.
Thomas spoke.
“We've also identified communications between your private email account and Marc Vautrin.”
Philippe stood.
“I want my attorney.”
Camille nodded.
“That's your right.”
She looked toward the other directors.
“Effective immediately, I've requested that the independent directors consider suspending Philippe's access to confidential information pending investigation.”
Philippe stared at her.
“You can't do this.”
Camille's expression hardened.
“I built this company to help hospitals operate more safely. Four hundred families depend on it for their livelihoods.”
She paused.
“I won't let anyone turn their futures into a bargaining chip.”
Philippe looked toward the door.
Two security professionals waited outside.
He gathered his belongings.
Before leaving, he turned toward Camille.
“You think Victor is the only one involved?”
Camille felt a chill.
“What does that mean?”
Philippe smiled bitterly.
“You have no idea how many people wanted your company.”
Then he walked out.
The room remained silent.
Camille looked toward Sofia.
“Find out what he meant.”
Sofia nodded.
By evening, the investigation had expanded.
Financial records showed that Meridian had approached several Asterion shareholders months earlier.
The offers had been unusually generous.
Some shareholders had declined.
Others had signed preliminary agreements.
Camille realized Victor's plan was broader than the thirty-two percent Julien expected to receive.
He had been quietly accumulating influence from multiple directions.
If the marriage agreement succeeded, Julien's shares would provide a decisive advantage.
If it failed, Victor had other options.
But there was a weakness in his strategy.
He needed the company to appear financially vulnerable.
And Asterion was profitable.
Its hospital contracts were growing.
Its technology was valuable.
Its employees were loyal.
Victor needed a crisis.
Camille turned toward Thomas.
“Review every major contract scheduled for renewal.”
He nodded.
“Why?”
“Because if Victor can't take control through marriage, he may try to damage our revenue.”
Thomas's expression changed.
“Our largest hospital network contract renews next month.”
Camille felt cold.
“How much?”
“Forty million euros over five years.”
“Who manages the relationship?”
Thomas hesitated.
“Marc Vautrin.”
Camille closed her eyes.
Of course.
That evening, Camille received a call from the hospital network's procurement director.
His voice was apologetic.
“Ms. Delcourt, I'm afraid we have a problem.”
Camille gripped the phone.
“What kind?”
“We've received allegations concerning Asterion's financial stability and data security.”
Her stomach tightened.
“From whom?”
“The information was submitted anonymously.”
Camille looked toward Sofia.
“What allegations?”
The director hesitated.
“Claims that your company is facing an undisclosed insolvency event.”
Camille felt anger rise.
“That is false.”
“I understand. But our compliance department has requested an emergency review.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
Camille closed her eyes.
Victor had made his move.
He couldn't obtain the shares through Julien.
So he was attacking the company's credibility.
She thanked the director and ended the call.
Then Thomas rushed into her office.
His face was pale.
“Camille, we have another problem.”
She turned.
“What now?”
He held out a tablet.
A news article had just appeared on a financial website.
The headline read:
ASTERION SYSTEMS FACES QUESTIONS OVER FINANCIAL STABILITY AND INTERNAL GOVERNANCE.
Camille stared at the screen.
The article cited anonymous sources.
It referenced the canceled marriage agreement.
It suggested serious internal conflict.
And it implied that Asterion might be seeking emergency financing.
Camille's hands tightened.
“Victor leaked this.”
Sofia nodded grimly.
“Probably.”
Then Camille's phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
She answered.
Victor Lemaire's voice filled the line.
“Camille.”
She went still.
“Victor.”
He sounded almost cheerful.
“I hear you're having a difficult week.”
Camille gripped the phone.
“What do you want?”
“Only to help.”
She laughed bitterly.
“You tried to steal my company.”
“Such an ugly way to describe a business opportunity.”
“I'm not selling.”
Victor sighed.
“Your mother was stubborn, too.”
Camille's blood ran cold.
“Don't talk about her.”
A pause.
Then Victor spoke softly.
“Madeleine had a chance to make a sensible decision.”
Camille's heart pounded.
“What decision?”
Victor ignored the question.
“I suggest you reconsider your position before tomorrow.”
“Why?”
May you like
His voice became colder.
“Because at nine o'clock, your largest customer is going to receive evidence that could destroy Asterion's reputation permanently.”
