Jason reached toward the folder.
Counsel closed it before his fingers touched the paper.
That small movement broke something in him.
“This is insane,” Jason said.
“You’re taking the word of an emotional ex-girlfriend because she embarrassed herself and grabbed the richest man in the room.”
The insult was designed for the audience.
He wanted the donors, executives, and employees surrounding us to see a desperate woman who had turned rejection into revenge.
A month earlier, I might have tried to explain myself to every face in the room.
Instead, I looked at counsel.
“Is my name attached to the original invoice data?”
“No.”
“Did I select the vendor for review?”
“No.
The account appeared in the automated quarterly sample.”
“Did I know the beneficial owner before following the documented review process?”
“According to the audit log, no.”
Jason’s mouth opened.
I continued.
“Did I modify any source record?”
“No.”
“Then my relationship with Jason may need disclosure, but it did not create the invoice pattern.”
Grant’s eyes held mine for a moment.
There was no smile in them now, only respect.
Jason saw it too.
He changed tactics.
“Fine,” he said.
“Let the company investigate.
But Grant should recuse himself.
Whatever happened on that dance floor makes this compromised.”
“That is correct,” Grant said.
The answer startled everyone, including Jason.
Grant stepped away from the table.
“I will have no role in evaluating Emily’s employment, her report, or the vendor investigation.
The audit committee and outside counsel will handle all three.
Tonight’s interaction will be documented.”
Jason’s relief appeared too early.
Grant continued.
“The vendor’s system access was suspended before this gala began.”
Jason stopped breathing for a beat.
“The payment hold was issued at four twelve this afternoon,” counsel added.
“The relevant records have been preserved.”
“You had no authority to do that without notifying me.”
“We were not required to notify you before securing company assets.”
“I want my lawyer.”
Counsel’s face remained calm.
“You should contact one.”
The ballroom had gone almost completely silent.
Jason looked around and finally understood what his performance had cost him.
He had approached us publicly.
He had announced my former relationship with him.
He had attacked the investigation before anyone explained its contents.
Most damaging of all, he had reacted to a sealed folder as though he already knew what evidence was inside.
He tried to retreat.
Grant did not stop him.
The outside counsel did.
“One question before you leave,” he said.
