“What a touching speech, Frederick,” I said clearly. My voice cut across the room and even the orchestra stopped. “Too bad ambition sometimes makes people forget details.”
Every head turned toward me. I pressed one button.
The huge screen behind the stage changed. The company logo disappeared and was replaced by a notarized legal document stamped by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Frederick went stiff. “Violet, this isn’t the time,” he said with a tight smile.
“Oh, I’m very clear,” I replied, standing up slowly from the wheelchair. Gasps rippled across the ballroom as I stood straight without any help. “I wrote the original bylaws of Lawson Hospitality Group myself when we incorporated under the Johnson Family Trust in Boston. And tonight, you triggered Section Twelve. The Integrity Preservation Clause.”
Lawyers in the audience leaned forward.
“That clause states that if minority shareholders try to fake medical incompetence of the majority owner to seize control, the company dissolves automatically. All assets revert to the founding trust. Which I control.”