11!I will be back!

ZARA

“You can’t just barge into a meeting,” Monica said, trying to keep her voice even. “And expect us to roll with it.”

“She is a senior panther, Monica,” an older man spoke. “Of course she expects us to roll with him,” he continued, and she scoffed. 

“Well, I’m a senior panther as well, remember,” she said, and I looked at her confused. “I have just as much authority as she does.”

“No one is disputing that,” another panther said. “She deserves the same respect as you do,” the man repeated, his voice calm but firm.

Monica clenched her jaw. I could tell she didn’t like being challenged in front of everyone. But she didn’t say anything. Instead, she sat down slowly, adjusting her blazer like she needed control over something.

I looked around the room. There were maybe ten people seated at the long, polished table. Some looked curious. Others tried not to show their thoughts. A few nodded at me with quiet acknowledgment.

I took a deep breath.

“I know this is unexpected,” I said. “But the truth is, I’ve spent too long watching from the sidelines. My father trusted this firm with everything he had. And now it’s mine to protect too.”

A man with silver hair near the end of the table leaned forward. “Your father was a brilliant man. He built part of this firm with his bare hands. If you carry even half of that fire, then you’re welcome here.”

“Thank you,” I replied softly.

Vic gave me a look of encouragement from the corner. She didn’t need to speak, her presence was enough. It reminded me I wasn’t alone.

“We were in the middle of reviewing quarterly figures,” someone said. “Would you like to stay and be briefed?”

I nodded. “Yes. I’m here to learn. I don’t expect you to hand me anything. I’ll earn my seat at this table.”

That seemed to shift something in the room.

Even Monica blinked, surprised.

For a moment, the tension settled.

Papers shuffled. A few laptops opened again. People cleared their throats and turned back to the task at hand.

I leaned back in my chair, watching, listening. I didn’t understand everything they were saying, the numbers, the terms, the quick back-and-forth between departments, but I paid attention. I wrote things down in the notebook Vic handed me.

I was here now. And I would catch up.

At one point, Monica passed me a file without looking at me. I took it without a word. She didn’t need to like me. I wasn’t here for approval. I was here for Hazel. For my father. For myself.

And I wasn’t going anywhere. 

I read through the document Monica had handed to me, and something caught my eye. 

“I see that all through this past year, the firm has only taken high profile companies or people as clients,” I said, and everyone looked at me.

“We take the people that come to us,” Monica responded, and I nodded.

“Of course, I understand that, but there has been no mention of Pro Bono cases,” I said, and there was a large hit on the table by Monica.

“Okay, enough!” She yelled, getting up. “We allowed you in, but that doesn't mean you are welcomed,” she said, and I scoffed.

“Allow me in,” I said. “I have a stake in this firm, and I can walk through those doors anytime I want.”

“You have a stake yes, but it doesn't belong to you yet,” she said, and I swallowed hard. How does she know that?

“Yes, I know all about it, Zara. I didn't know who you are facially, but I knew about the clause in your father's will,” she said, and moved closer to me. “About Matthew,” she whispered.

“This has nothing to do with him,” I said as she walked past me.

She shrugged her shoulders and looked at everyone at the table with her head high. “Yes, that's right. Her father gave her his shares in his will, but she doesn't have access to it because of a clause in the will.”

“What clause?” Someone from the table asked, and she smirked.

“Don't say it, Monica. It's not yours to explain,” I said to her, fidgeting.

“For the shares to be fully allocated to her, she has to,”

“Let's go, Zara,” Vic said, walking towards me. 

“No, I want to hear her say it,” I said, standing up. “I want to hear her tell my own story,” I looked at her with my head high. 

I know she won't be able to say it. If she knows about the clause then she knows I'm to marry Matthew to get access to my shares, and she wouldn't want that to happen.

Monica smiled thinly, her hands folded in front of her. She looked around the room, clearly enjoying the attention. “The clause in the will is quite... unusual,” she said slowly. “Zara doesn’t have full control of her father’s shares yet. Not until she fulfills a certain condition.”

Murmurs filled the room. A few people leaned forward. One woman scribbled something on her notepad. The man with silver hair looked confused. “What kind of condition?” he asked.

Vic stood stiff beside me, ready to step in again. But I raised my hand gently to stop her.

“It’s okay,” I said. Then I turned to the table.

“She’s right,” I said clearly. “There’s a clause in the will that puts a condition on the transfer of shares.”

Monica smiled wider, but I kept talking.

“My father... he believed in commitment. Legacy. And because of that, he made a decision I don’t fully agree with.” I swallowed, keeping my voice steady. “In order to have full ownership of the shares, I have to marry someone he chose. Someone he thought he could trust.”

The room went completely silent.

I didn’t look at Monica. I didn’t give her the satisfaction.

“I’m not here to argue about whether it’s fair. I’m here because I want to understand this firm. Because I plan to earn my place here, with or without those shares fully in my name.”

One of the older women in the room nodded thoughtfully. “That’s a heavy condition,” she said. “But your honesty speaks volumes.”

Monica sat down again, looking mildly annoyed that I had taken control of the moment. She crossed her arms but didn’t say another word.

“I’m not here to make anyone uncomfortable,” I added. “But I won’t be pushed aside. My father built this place. His name matters. And now, mine does too.”

“Well, this meeting is for shareholders with actual shares, you have to leave,” she said, and I smiled.

“I will leave, but I will be back,” I said, and turned to the rest of the shareholders. “It's an honor to meet you all,” I said, and walked towards the door.

“Miss Taylor,” I heard my name and turned. “I'm Gabriel Seager, a friend of your father's,” he said, and walked away.

“That went better than expected,” Vic said as we walked out of the building.

“You think,” I said, and brought out my phone.

“This is Zara,” I answered.

“Miss Zara, it's Charles,” I heard, and rolled my eyes.

“Mr. Charles, if you are calling to have me reconsider my decision…”

“No, not at all,” he cuts me off. “I just wanted to let you know there was one other person who wanted you to have your father's will just as much as Matthew,” he said.

“Who is it?” I asked, intrigued.

“A Mr. Gabriel Seager,” he said, and my eyes widened. “He said he was a friend of your father.”

“This is good Mr. Charles, thank you,” I said, and ended the call.

“What was that, you sound excited,” Vic said.

“You have no idea,” I replied giggling.