THE REVENGE OF JOHN SMITH

THE AUDIO RECORDING

John looks around the room, trying to gather his thoughts. He knows that he has to be careful with his words, or he could be in even more trouble.

Finally, he speaks. “I don't know where Monica got her information,” he says, “but I can assure you that it is not true. I have never embezzled any money, and I have never set up a fake charity organization. I am innocent of all the charges made against me.”

Monica lets out a scoff and walks back to her seat, but Scott holds up his hand. "Please, let John speak," he says and Monica raises both of her hands in surrender.

John takes a deep breath, his face still neutral and calm before he continues “I know that you must be confused,” he says. “I understand that the evidence looks bad, but I swear to you that I am innocent. I have always been a man of integrity, and I would never do anything to betray the trust of this company. I advise you to consider the evidence carefully, and to not rush to judgment.” The board members look at each other, their faces still uncertain. Monica is watching John intently, a sly smile on her face.

“Can you prove your innocence?” one of the board members asks.

John nods. “I can, and I will,” he says. “I have meticulously kept records of all my transactions, both personal and professional. I have never done anything to violate the trust of this company, and I am prepared to share my records with you. Let me prove my innocence.” The board members consider it for a moment, then turn to look at John.

“Go ahead.” One of the board members gestured.

John opens his briefcase placed on a table and pulls out a file of documents. He places them on the table, carefully unfolding each one. “These are the original documents,” he says, pointing to the first page. “You'll notice that the handwriting is different from the one on the statement we just saw.” The board members lean in, examining the documents closely. John took the initiative and passed the documents to the board member next to him who went through it and passed it around.

It got to Monica's hands, she went through the documents and her eyes widened a bit in shock. A satisfied smile curled on John's lips.

“That evidence is proof that the handwriting on the statement doesn't match Lisa's normal handwriting.” John puts out in a calm voice. “I believe that she was coerced into signing the statement, and that she was under duress when she did so.”

The board members all turned to look at Monica and she stared directly at John, her eyes brimming with rage.

“That's not all,” he continues. "These documents are just the beginning. I have a lot more to show to you all.”

The board members look at each other, their faces etched with shock.

“Let's start with the bank statements,” John said, his voice calm and even. “I have copies of the original statements, and you'll see that they don't match the altered ones that were presented earlier.”

He pulls out a folder from his briefcase and hands it over to the man next to him. The board member opens the folder and began to look through the papers. As done before, he passes it over to the next person.

John continued, “Next, I have records of the donations that were made to the legitimate charity organization. These records show that I did not divert any money away from the charity or embezzle any from the company, as has been alleged.” He brought out another piece of documents and passed it onto the board members.

John took a deep breath and continued, “I also have receipts from charitable organizations that I've worked with in the past. These organizations have verified that I've never attempted to use them for personal gain, as has been alleged.” He paused, gathering his thoughts as he brings out another folder and hands it over to the board member from before.

“I understand that the allegations against me are serious, but I hope that the evidence I've presented will show that they are unfounded."

Monica's face was flushed, and her eyes flashed with anger.

"You're a liar," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I don't believe a word you've said!”

John was totally taken aback by Monica's words and so we're the board members. The room went silent as the board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats, unsure of what to believe. Scott looked back and forth between John and Monica, his brow furrowed. Finally, he spoke. ”I think we need to hear more from both of you,” he said. “You both have contradictory defenses that we can't tell which are real and which are not.

He turned to John. "Can you tell us more?”

John hesitated, then nodded. “I'll tell you everything I can,” he said. “But first, I'd like to ask my wife a few questions of my own.”

The room was dead with silence that even a pin dropped could be heard.

“Monica, why did you fabricate the evidence?” John asked, his voice firm but not unkind. “Why are you going against me? Why do you want me voted out by all means?”

Monica's eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “I have my reasons,” she said, her voice hard. “But I'm not going to share them with you.”

John shook his head. “You have to understand, this isn't just about us,” he said. “This is about the future of the company.”

Scott spoke up. "John, please respect your wife's right to privacy," he said.

“May I?” Monica asked and didn't wait for an answer as she went about to do what she wanted to.

She stood up to present her new evidence. The board members sat in their seats, their eyes fixed on Monica. She stood tall, her back straight and her shoulders squared. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small device. “I have something else to share with you,” she said, her voice steady and clear. “I have an audio recording of a conversation between John and his secretary.”

The room fell silent as Monica pressed play on the recording. At first, the board members could only hear muffled voices, but then the voices grew clearer. They heard John's voice, but it was hard to make out what he was saying. Then, the voice of his secretary came through, and they could hear her speaking in a hushed tone.

“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” she asked.

There was a pause, and then John's voice came through, sounding hesitant. “I know it's not right,” he said. “But I don't know what else to do.”

The board members could hear John's voice, sounding anxious and stressed. He was pleading with his secretary, asking her to do something that he knew was wrong.

The room was silent as the recording played on. John's voice grew more and more desperate, and the board members could tell that he was under a lot of pressure.

“What if they find out, Sir?” Missy asked nervously in the audio recording.

“Who are they?” John inquired, sounding stressed.

“The board members.” Missy answered in a rather hush tone.

“They won't know unless you tell them, I know I won't. Would you?” John asked Missy calmly.

As the conversation continued, the board members grew more and more tense. They could tell that something bad was about to happen. Then, there was a sharp intake of breath, and the board members sat up straight in their seats as if they knew what was coming next.

“But that is a huge amount of money, Sir!” Missy said in the audio recording with fear in her voice.

“I know.” John answered.

“How do you intend to hide it from the Finance Department? They would surely notice, Sir!” Missy said.

“I have my ways. Besides…I own the company!” John said confidently and the board members all gasp in surprise at John's words.

The board members sat in horrified silence, listening to the exchange between John and his secretary.

“Isn't this embezzling, Sir?” Missy asked.

“What are you talking about? It clearly is not!” John defended in the audio.

“But Sir, you are going to take out a large amount of money from the company.” Missy voiced out loudly

“Borrow, Missy. I am going to borrow it and return it back before anyone notices.” John stated in the audio.

“As much as a hundred million dollars!” Missy voiced.

“Quiet down, Missy! Don't let anyone, including George know about this!” John warned in the audio and George's eyes instantly filled with dissatisfaction.

“Please,” John's voice said on the recording. “You have to do this for me. If you don't, I'm ruined.”

There was a long pause, and then the secretary's voice came through. “I can't do it,” she said, her voice shaking. “It's not right.”

“Please,”John begged. “You have to. I'll do anything.”

“Why can't you just tell the board members about it, Sir?” Missy asked.

“They just won't understand!” John vented out.

“I…can't, Sir.” Missy said, almost sobbing.

Finally, the recording came to an end, and the room was deathly still.

Scott cleared his throat, and everyone turned to look at him. "That was... alarming," he said, his voice grave. "What do we do now?"

“Vote out John!” one of the board members voiced out.