The invented notary's room held a long table and two files tied with ribbon. Notary Sifa placed the original register in one file and the new company's submission in the other.
Amina, Musa, and Hamisi sat on one side. Baraka and Mama Njeri did not come, but they sent messages saying their proxies would appear. Saidi sent an adviser as an observer.
"I will verify what exists and what does not," Sifa said. "I will not settle a family quarrel."
"I want a formal objection to the changed membership and the use of undated proxies," Amina replied.
They began with the original register. Four founders' names were written in old ink. Amina's signature appeared beneath the opening date. The next page recorded an ordinary meeting, not her removal.
Musa opened the company submission. Amina's name had been removed, and Baraka was listed as the controlling representative. The minutes said Amina had been notified by phone.
Sifa opened the notice register. Amina's number did not appear on the meeting date. The old number ending in 447 appeared elsewhere, but its delivery status was blank.
"So the notice is not verified," Amina said.
"It is not verified by this record," the notary corrected. "Do not add a conclusion."
Musa produced the resignation letter attached to the submission. Its signature resembled Amina's from a distance, but the spacing was different. Amina placed beside it a passport copy and her signature from Hamisi's lease.
Sifa used a small magnifying lens. "The pressure differs. I am not a handwriting expert."
"I want the record to say the signature conflicts, not that it was forged," Amina said.
Hamisi confirmed that the lease still belonged to the original company. He added that Baraka had brought a renewal letter before showing valid minutes.
Saidi's adviser asked whether membership could be settled before investment.
"That is why we filed the objection," Amina replied. "The membership meeting must not use a letter that is absent from the original file."
In the proxy file, two papers carried signatures from members said to have moved away. Neither had a date. One bore the new company stamp; the other had a witness signature but no contact number.
"Without a date, what decision does this proxy represent?" Amina asked.
"That is the problem I will record," Sifa said.
Amina's objection requested four things: suspend the control transfer, confirm the original register, exclude undated proxies, and call a lawful meeting within twenty-four hours of new notice.
"I am requesting a process, not a court judgment against Baraka," Amina said.
Sifa called Mama Njeri's number. She did not answer. Baraka sent a short message: *Everyone knew Amina had left.* The notary preserved it as a sent communication, not proof of notice.
Saidi's adviser said the committee needed to know whether the dispute could end. "The hold continues until the quorum is verified," he said.
Sifa stamped the objection. The sound was small, but Amina felt it as a door closing against the rush of the new company.
"Because of this objection," the notary said, "these proxies cannot be used as final votes. The meeting must wait twenty-four hours."
Baraka called Musa. "Is this how you protect salaries?"
"I am protecting the record," Musa answered.
Amina took the phone. "Your debt will be heard at the meeting. Not through a proxy made in haste."
"If you want your name back, you will break the school."
"The name will return through the record. The school will remain through a process."
As Sifa closed the file, she produced one last paper. The final proxy had been signed by Mama Njeri one day before Baraka told Amina that no meeting had been called.
Amina stared at the date. Sifa said, "This is the proxy with the greatest discrepancy."
Amina received a copy of the objection and the stamped order. She left with a process that could protect her name without stopping lessons, knowing the next day would test every vote.
The objection protected Amina without pretending the notary had decided every question already. Sifa placed the objection in a stamped file with the date of the waiting period. # End of Chapter
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