Chapter 12 - THE FIRST BOARD MEETINGFive days after Grandfather’s funeral, the Mercer Systems board met.
Special session.
Damian attended remotely because his attorneys advised distance from me while the physical-assault investigation remained open.
I attended in person.
My bruises were gone.
My lungs were fine.
The room still felt dangerous.
Independent chair Helen Cho opened:
“We are not here to decide family morality.”
Good.
“We are here to determine whether company resources or processes were used to support unauthorized transactions involving a director’s securities and whether conflicts connected to the Helix proposal were properly disclosed.”
Damian’s counsel objected to calling them unauthorized transactions.
Helen corrected:
“Unauthorized by Ms. Mercer.”
Precise.
The board suspended further Helix-related work involving Damian’s private financing vehicle.
Not the acquisition itself.
Mercer Systems could still evaluate Helix through other structures.
Damian temporarily stepped back from the transaction committee.
Not removed from the board.
Not fired.
Investigation first.
Then Jonathan Pike, CFO, said something surprising.
“I told Damian Mara had not consented.”
The room became still.
“When?”
“Six weeks ago.”
“What was his response?”
Pike looked toward counsel.
Then:
“He said Elias would handle her.”
May you like
Grandfather never did.
That phrase became important.
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