Chapter 13 - The Board Meeting
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The grand boardroom of Santoro Holdings was located on the top floor of a glass skyscraper overlooking the Boston harbor. It was a room designed to intimidate, featuring a massive mahogany table and panoramic views of the city.
The twenty members of the board sat in heavy silence. Bruno Santoro stood at the head of the table, projecting an aura of complete, arrogant confidence.
“Gentlemen,” Bruno began, his voice echoing with false sorrow. “We are facing a crisis of leadership. The devastating attack on our southern warehouse proves that my nephew, Rafe, lacks the strength to protect our assets. I am calling for an immediate vote of no confidence to transfer executive power to myself.”
Several board members nodded in agreement. They were businessmen, and they responded to strength.
The heavy glass doors of the boardroom swung open.
Rafe walked in, wearing a bespoke, razor-sharp black suit. He radiated an aura of absolute, terrifying control.
But he was not alone.
Nell walked right beside him. She was no longer wearing a gray maid’s uniform. She wore a stunning, tailored crimson dress, her hair swept up elegantly. She looked like a queen stepping into her court.
“I apologize for my tardiness, gentlemen,” Rafe said smoothly, taking his seat at the opposite end of the table and gesturing for Nell to sit beside him.
Bruno’s face drained of color when he saw Nell. He looked frantically toward the door, expecting Teddy Vain to appear and explain his failure.
“What is the meaning of this, Rafe?” Bruno demanded, his voice cracking slightly. “This is a closed corporate meeting. You cannot bring domestic staff into this room.”
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“Miss Whitaker is not staff,” Rafe corrected, his dark eyes locking onto his uncle. “She is a vital witness to the hostile takeover you attempted to orchestrate last night.”
The boardroom erupted into hushed, panicked murmurs.
