INICIAR SESIÓN"Sir, may request po para sa isang special board session."Napatingin si Darius sa assistant na kararating lamang sa kanyang office."From whom?""One of the directors, sir. Regarding internal board deliberations and shareholder participation."Kinuha ni Darius ang ipinadalang proposal.Binasa niya ang agenda.Procedures for directors-only discussions.Handling of confidential financial information.Preparation of resolutions requiring shareholder approval.Wala namang kakaiba sa mga paksa.Pero may isang bagay na agad niyang napansin."Why now?"The assistant hesitated."According to the director, sir, the recent emergency meeting highlighted the need for clearer procedures."Darius leaned back."The emergency meeting.""Yes, sir."Muli niyang binasa ang proposal.Hindi mahirap hulaan kung anong pangyayari ang tinutukoy nito.Ang mga tanong ni Serenity.Ang pagtatalo nila ni Cele.At ang meeting na natapos nang walang naaprubahang restructuring."Has Legal reviewed this?""Only the p
"Are these the complete financial statements?"Napatingin ang finance director ng Heavenwood Holdings sa lalaking nakaupo sa kabilang dulo ng conference table."Those are the latest reports available, sir."The director frowned."That's not what I asked."Bahagyang natahimik ang silid.Nasa harap niya ang ilang financial documents na ipinadala ng management bilang tugon sa formal request niya.Isa siya sa mga board directors na may hawak na nine percent ng Heavenwood Holdings.Sa tabi niya ay ang isa pang director na may seven percent ownership.Pareho silang dumalo sa emergency meeting kung saan kinuwestiyon ni Serenity ang restructuring proposal.At ngayon, gusto nilang personal na suriin ang mga numerong ipinakita ng management."The independent valuation?" tanong ng nine-percent director."Still being finalized, sir.""And the complete liabilities schedule?""In preparation."The seven-percent director slowly closed his folder."Then what exactly did you bring us?"The finance dir
"Another request?"Napatingin si Darius sa assistant niyang nakatayo sa harap ng desk."Yes, sir. Two board directors have submitted formal requests for additional financial information."Darius frowned."Who?""The directors holding nine percent and seven percent of Heavenwood Holdings."Napahinto siya."Both?""Yes, sir."Iniabot ng assistant ang dalawang sulat.Binuksan ni Darius ang una.Request for independent valuation.Complete subsidiary obligations.Details of the proposed asset transfers.Binuksan niya ang pangalawa.May karagdagang tanong tungkol sa projected revenue at repayment assumptions.Darius leaned back."They already raised these concerns after the emergency meeting.""Yes, sir. They're now requesting the documents formally."Napahawak si Darius sa noo.Naalala niya ang dalawang directors na lumapit sa kanya pagkatapos ng magulong meeting.Hindi sila nakisali sa pagtatalo nina Serenity at Cele.Pero malinaw na nakinig sila sa mga tanong ni Serenity tungkol sa finan
[Do you know how much of Heavenwood Holdings Serenity actually owns?]Matagal na nakatitig si Cele sa message na ipinadala niya kay Victor Salcedo.Nasa sariling kwarto siya sa Heavenwood villa, nakaupo sa harap ng dressing table.Bahagya nang nawala ang pamumula ng kanyang pisngi, pero hindi pa rin nawawala ang galit niya.Muli niyang naalala ang nangyari sa boardroom.Ang mga matang nakatingin sa kanya.Ang katahimikan matapos siyang sampalin.At ang huling sinabi ni Serenity.Make sure you actually own a share.Cele gritted her teeth."Who does she think she is?"Biglang tumunog ang phone.Victor.[Thirty percent.]Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Cele.Thirty?Mabilis siyang nag-type.[Are you sure?][Yes. Her grandfather left those shares to her.]Cele stared at the screen.Alam niyang may iniwang inheritance si Octavian Heavenwood kay Serenity.Pero hindi niya inaasahang ganoon kalaki.Thirty percent.Halos kasinglaki ng family-controlled shares nina Darius at Aurelia.[How much does our
"Make sure you actually own a share."Hindi na hinintay ni Serenity ang sagot ni Cele.Tumalikod siya at naglakad palabas ng conference room kasama ang kanyang legal adviser.Sa likuran nila, nanatiling tahimik ang ilang directors na nakasaksi sa nangyari.Walang humabol.Walang pumigil.Hanggang sa—"Serenity!"Napahinto ang legal adviser.Pero si Serenity ay nagpatuloy lamang sa paglalakad.Mula sa likuran, muling narinig ang galit na boses ni Aurelia."I'm talking to you!"Huminto si Serenity sa tapat ng elevator.Dahan-dahan siyang lumingon.Nakatayo si Aurelia ilang hakbang ang layo, kasama si Cele na hawak pa rin ang namumulang pisngi."What is it?" tanong ni Serenity.Aurelia's eyes flashed."You think you can just walk away after what you did?"Serenity looked at her."The meeting is over.""That's not what I'm talking about!""Then be specific."Aurelia took a step forward."You humiliated your sister in front of everyone!"Serenity glanced at Cele.Then back at Aurelia."She
"Choose your next words carefully, Celeste."Nanigas ang mukha ni Cele.Sa harap ng mga directors, shareholders, at senior executives ng Heavenwood Holdings, hindi niya inaasahang pagsasalitaan siya nang ganoon ni Serenity."Are you threatening me?"Serenity raised an eyebrow."Did I threaten you?""You just told me to watch what I say!""Because you're interrupting a formal meeting."Cele's face reddened."I'm trying to help this company!""Then perhaps you should start by respecting its procedures.""Serenity!""Celeste."Hindi tumaas ang boses ni Serenity.Pero sapat iyon para muling tumahimik ang conference room.She glanced at the meeting secretary."Please continue recording the proceedings.""Yes, Ms. Heavenwood."Cele stared at her."You think you're so important because Grandpa left you some shares?"Serenity looked back."Important enough that management needs my vote, apparently."May isang director na napaiwas ng tingin.Hindi niya napigilang mapangiti.Cele noticed.Lalon







