The morning sun filtered through the tall glass windows of the Drake Industries skyscraper, casting a warm golden hue across the boardroom. But the atmosphere was anything but warm. Tension rippled through the space like a live wire. Sophia Drake sat at the head of the long oak table, her fingers steepled, her eyes cold and sharp.
"Status update," she said calmly, though her voice carried the undercurrent of a threat.
Maxwell, her legal advisor, swallowed hard. "The Board is fractured. Some are leaning toward Ava, especially after the media exposé. The shareholders are restless. They're asking for a vote."
"A vote?" Sophia's lips curled. "I built this empire. They dare to challenge me?"
Maxwell didn't respond.
