director Sheila Grant, had submitted a written statement that afternoon after seeing Lucas’s termination message.
She confirmed that he had repeatedly demanded changes to Camille’s forecasts and had threatened to remove her accounts.
The third witness was a junior analyst named Noah Price.
Noah joined the call from a small apartment, wearing headphones and a wrinkled blue shirt.
He looked terrified.
“I was asked to export the revised pipeline file,” he said.
“Mr.
Bennett told me to delete the earlier version from the shared drive.”
“Did you?” Evelyn asked.
“No.
I saved a copy because the totals did not match the contracts.”
Lucas leaned toward the camera.
“Noah, be very careful.
You signed a confidentiality agreement.”
Evelyn’s voice became quiet.
“Lucas, do not threaten a witness during a recorded board investigation.”
Noah’s face went pale, but he kept speaking.
He described being called into Lucas’s office the previous evening.
Lucas had asked whether Camille had copied any documents and whether she had discussed the forecast with the CFO.
When Noah said he did not know, Lucas told him that loyalty would be remembered when promotions were considered.
Then Noah uploaded the original forecast file.
Its metadata showed Camille as the author.
The revised version showed Lucas’s office as the source of every inflated figure.
Robert pushed back from his desk.
“How long has this investigation been active?” he asked.
“Six weeks,” Evelyn answered.
“And no one told me?”
“You were informed that the audit committee was reviewing forecasting controls.
We did not identify the suspected employee because he was your son.”
Robert flinched at the final word.
Evelyn continued.
“We needed evidence that could withstand scrutiny.
Camille agreed to preserve records and follow lawful instructions while the review continued.
Her cooperation was confidential.
Her termination has now exposed the investigation and created a retaliation claim.”
Lucas stared at Camille.
“You were spying on me.”
“I was protecting the company from you.”
He laughed again, but there was no confidence left in it.
“You think these people care about you? They used you.
The moment the clients return, they will replace you with someone cheaper.”
David bent closer to Camille, but she did not need reassurance.
For months, Lucas had relied on one weapon: making other people doubt their worth.
That weapon looked small now.
Camille opened the retention agreement.
“Grey Links asked me to sign this after the Northstar contract,” she said.
“It states that any termination during the retention period requires approval from the CEO, human resources, and two independent directors.
It also guarantees eighteen months of compensation if the agreement is breached.”
Monica nodded.
“No approvals were requested.”
Robert looked at Lucas.
“Did you read her contract?”
“I had authority over operations.”
“That is not what I asked.”
Lucas said nothing.
The general counsel, who had remained silent until then, finally spoke.
“The termination is invalid.
The messages also support claims for retaliation, defamation, breach of contract, and intentional interference with client relationships.
The fabricated disciplinary records increase the company’s exposure substantially.”
Lucas turned toward his father.
“You are going to let them destroy me over a text message?”
Robert’s voice was low.
“This is not about one text message.”
“It was a joke.”
“You fired a senior manager on her wedding day and called it a present.”
