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Chapter 16 Taking Charge
Faye’s Por
The boardroom was colder than usual.
Not the temperature–just the stares.
I stood at the head of the long glass table, flanked by executives and directors, every single one of them watching me like I was a mistake that needed fixing
The door clicked shut behind Anna, and I cleared my throat.}
Thank you all for joining me on such short notice,” I said, my voice calm but tight. “As you’re all aware, Alan Greene has pulled out of our energy contract, Berlin shipments are being held in customs, and Michael Lin has liquidated his shares.
No one spoke
I hated this kind of silence. Not the quiet kind. The kind that carried judgment and whispers hiding behind professional expressions. I looked around the room.
“I know what you’re all thinking,” I said. “You’re wondering if this is happening because of me. If I’m the reason for this disruption.” Someone shifted in their seat. Someone else sighed.
But I kept going..
“I didn’t ask for this war, but I’m not afraid of it either, I came here today not to beg or apologize but to tell you this company will stand. With or without those who jumped ship.”
Still, no one said a word.
I felt my chest tighten.
Then, finally, Mr. Donnelly our longest–serving board member–leaned forward.
His silver hair and calm gaze used to comfort me when I visited Grandpa as a kid. Now, his eyes held something else & Doubl
“but bravery doesn’t build trust. Strategy does. Experience does. And right now, we are bleeding-
“You’re brave, Miss Berkeley,” he said, “bu
“I’m aware,” I said. “Which is why I’m calling for a full audit of the past 48 hours. I want to know who leaked the announcement early. I want to know how customs were tipped off. And I want names. If there’s a rat in this company, I smoke them out.”
Some heads nodded.!!
But most of them just stared.}
“I’m also freezing all new external contracts until further notice,” I added. “We’re going to plug every hole before this ship sails again.” That finally got a reaction. A few mummurs, a few exchanged looks.
Good
Fear meant they were listening.
“Meeting adjourned,” I said, grabbing my notes!
As I walked out, I felt their eyes follow me
knew they weren’t convinced
Noi yeti
Back in my office, Anna poured me a glass of water while i sank into my chair.
“I don’t get it,” I muttered “How could everything fall apart on Day One? Who would benefit from this kind of chaos?”
Anna glanced at me. “Do you really want an honest answer?“}}
Hooked up “Yes “1”
fail before you even begin. Someone who p probably knows your
She hesitated, then said softly, “Someone who wants to see you fail befor weaknesses – and the company’s soft spots”
I swallowed hard
My mind flashed to Hunter’s face. His voice. His calmness. His warning
Was tas all just some twisted way to force my hand?
There was a knock on the door then my Grandparents barged in immediately
“Fae, are you alright? my grandmother asked womedly.
I nodded, “Of course I’m handling things theres no reason for you to be here
“Perhaps youte not ready, Princess Maybe let’s take a break With everything going wrong on your first day I don’t think it’s a good idea to “continue” my grandfather sad
I shook my head I be damned if I quit on my first day
“Trust me guys, go home, I can handle it,” I said to them
My grandparents stared at me and sighed then they nodded their heads
8:12 AM c
“We trust you!
Immediately they left, I stood up quickly.
“Anna, I need cybersecurity in here. Now. And send someone to check the mailroom and deliveries–personally.”
She nodded and darted off.
I stared out the window.
Two hours later, the head of cybersecurity. Mr. Niles, stood in my office with a tablet in his hands.
“We traced the first leak,” he said. “The tip about the customs issue came from an email inside the company Masked IP. Could’ve been routed, but it originated from this floor”
My chest tightened.
“Someone here?”
He nodded grimly.
“We’re still narrowing it down.”
I swallowed. “Keep digging. And keep it quiet. No one breathes a word until we know who’s playing us.”
After he left, I walked back to my desk.
I opened my drawer and pulled out the small, velvet–lined box I’d tucked away.
Inside was my parents‘ old company pen. Heavy. Gold–plated. Engraved with their initials.
1 held it tight.
And then I signed off on a new directive–an internal investigation with no mercy
