Chapter One Hundred and Ninety Seven - Explaining to the Board

The board meeting followed the directives, Adian had put in place and all the topics of discussion were dealt with, even the concern of a known child molester impersonating a security officer roaming the Mall's corridors.

The Chairman gazed around the board, his brows joining together as he frowned deeply.

"How did" Mr. Jumam, the board's Chairman, glance down at the agenda in front of him, "Ellis Clarke, enter our security department in uniform?" He asks and I lifted my eyes to meet Ameila's, her expression dark and guarded.

Taking a deep breath, I decided I'm not going to allow myself to be backed into a corner anymore.

"There are security footage available" I responded to the chairman, but kept my eyes on Ameila, whose expression didn't waver, as she continues starting at me.

Why isn't she concerned that she could be linked to Ellis?

"Right" the Chairman agreed, "call for the footage to be available immediately, following this meeting." He instructed someone, who I assume was his secretary, before addressing the board members again.

"After I have seen the security footage I will call a follow up meeting to put measures in place to ensure this, never happens again." Mr. Juman continues as the other members, confirms their agreement with one syllable responses.

"Uh em" Amelia clears her throat, still holding me captive with her intimidating gaze.

"I have a question," she says, opening the file in front of her and I know she has something planned to throw me off, still, I couldn't look away.

Leaning closer to me, "remember, you will always have the upper hand and she's the enemy" Caleb reminds me, whispering softly in my ear. I turned to him, as if I'm now waking up from a trance.

I nod and return my focus to the meeting, but this time, I kept my eyes averted on the table top.

"As you know, Hailey is my daugher-in-law and as such I know a bit about her and her past," Ameila starts and my chest starts to close up.

"Hailey, do you know Mr. Ellis Clark?" Ameila asks, instantly throwing me off and I glance around the table realizing everyone's attention, was now on me and Amelia's wearing a smug smile.

I can't let her do this to me! I just can't!

"Hailey?" Mr. Juman calls me and I met his frown with a nervous smile.

"You've got this!" Caleb whispers besides me.

Straightening myself in the chair, I leaned back and nodded.

"Yes sir, I do" I responded, politely to the Chairman.

"Yes Hailey maybe you should tell the board how, you and Ellis are acquainted," Ameila emphasised, fully aware that I won't get through telling the board about my ordeal without breaking down.

"Ellis Clarke, raped the young daughter of a woman he was involved with, multiple times." I started softly, hearing gasps and swearing around the table.

Suddenly Ameila's eyes widen in surprise. Did she not know? Or didn't she expect me explain my acquaintance with Ellis Clarke from the very beginning?

"And what does that have to do with you?" A female board member asked me gently and I smiled sadly as I met her gaze, my mind returning to that dreadful night, I'll never forget.

Taking another deep breath, "after a neighbour realize what was happening to the child, she alerted child services where the matter went before the court." I continued, staring ahead, but seeing nothing." I said, taking another deep breath.

"Ellis Clarke was a drug addict, who ending up facing a short sentence and time in rehabilitation, because his lawyer used his drug problems. He claimed Ellis Clarke was dealing with mental issues at that time when he raped Emmy. Emmy was placed in foster care." I continued, pulling my hands off the table and started twisting it nervously on my lap, under the table.

I was aware that I had the attention of the entire board, even Amelia Knights, but she was waiting for me to break and if I do in front of the board, she can immediately prove me incompetent to be involved in my father and husband's place.

But I can't afford to break! Not here! Not now! Not ever!

Smiling sadly to myself, "because of the trauma Emmy had been through, she couldn't adapt to foster care and strange men appearing in her life." I added.

"Yes, yes, that's understandable," Mr. Juman agrees, like everyone else who hummed their agreement.

"Emmy ended up at a children's home, where I have been volunteering for the few years and we bonded." I explained.

"When Ellis came out of prison and rehab, he along with her mother fought to get her back, but I used my funds along with Mr. Peters of Fantasy Shipping to help keep Emmy in the system and away from her abusers. When Ellis got wind of my involvement, he along with two other men attacked me in the park, but I was saved by a few guys exercising." I continued, praying I can finish what Ameila started without breaking.

"Ellis Clarke has been on my case ever since. Actually he followed me into the bathroom area of a restaurant where Adian and I were having lunch at one time and Adian made sure he regretted it." I finished looking at the shock in Ameila's face.

What part shocked her? I don't know and I honestly don't care anymore!

"What does that have to do with him being in the Mall yesterday?" The same woman frowned, confused.

Narrowing my eyes, I also looked at her. So no one knows why the meeting was actually called.

"Do you know why my husband called this meeting?" I asked looking around the table.

Leaning forward the chairman stared at me just as confused, "from what I understand, one of the store securities became suspicious about a guard they didn't recognize and it was brought to your husband's attention." Mr. Juman explained.

Nodding, "yes, the pharmacy security" I added, smiling at him.

"Emmy and I were at the Mall yesterday with my husband and his sister." I started explaining yesterday's events turning to stare at Ameila. "At some point I was separated from the group when my sister-in-law dragged her brother and Emmy into a store, While searching for them I realized I was being followed but didn't turn around, even when Ellis Clarke, who was walking behind me, mocked and threatened me." I kept my eyes on Ameila, who didn't flinch or appear surprised.

"I tried to get the assistant of a security but he appeared to be friends with Ellis Clarke, so I sought refuge in the Pharmacy, which brought on this meeting." I concluded, hoping it ends here.

I looked at the same female board member as she taps the table with a pencil thoughtfully.

"So he's been following you?" She asks, "You and the little girl, uh Emmy?" She says and I shook my head.

"From the investigation done so far, we know for a fact, that someone alerted him to where we were and someone with connections to the Mall got him on the inside as a security officer." I concluded.