The boardroom was alive with hushed murmurs and quiet chatter, the sound of papers flipping and pens tapping echoing softly across the long polished table. Every board member was seated, dressed in their usual sharp suits, eyes occasionally darting at one another while they whispered and speculated. Tension lingered in the air—it was the day everyone had been waiting for.
Then Victor walked in.
His presence usually turned heads, his smile often disarming and confident. But today, something was different. The room fell into a hush as they noticed it—his expression was tight, no trace of the usual calm swagger. He walked to his seat slowly, offering only a faint nod to those who greeted him. Clifford, seated not far from him, tensed immediately. He looked at Victor, hoping for a reassuring glance, a signal that the plan was still intact—but nothing came. Victor didn't even meet his eyes.
The meeting was officially called to order.
