The morning sunlight spilled unevenly across the boardroom of Empire Brands, illuminating the sleek mahogany table that had once symbolized authority and unity. Now, it felt brittle, fragile, like the very company itself. Courtney walked in first, heels clicking lightly against the polished floor, her pulse steady but her mind racing. She could feel the weight of every pair of eyes on her — skeptical, anxious, and hungry for chaos.
Dwayne followed behind her, suit impeccably tailored, eyes scanning the room with sharp precision. He carried himself like a general entering a battlefield; calm, controlled, yet ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Courtney took a deep breath. Every subtle movement, every glance, every shift of the board members' postures was a signal. Some were worried about the media backlash, some were trying to hide their ambitions, and some — the dangerous few — were ready to betray at the first opportunity.
