Main Lead

Collins Pov

The air in the boardroom was heavier than usual. The kind of heavy that sits on people’s shoulders and makes them adjust in their seats without realizing it.

I could hear nothing but the faint tick of the antique clock on the far wall, each second tapping louder than it should.

Twelve board members sat around the table, all of them waiting. No one spoke, not until the man at the end of the room, my father, finally did.

He sat there with his usual stillness, fingers steepled under his chin, back straight, face unreadable.

His voice came low and even, but with enough weight to draw everyone's attention. He said the board would like to know what I’ve found so far.

Then he paused, like he wanted to be sure we were all aware he was watching, before adding, don’t we all?

One or two nodded. A few more added murmurs of agreement. I didn’t speak. Not immediately.

I leaned back in the chair, eyes on the gleaming surface of the table, one hand slowly rolling a heavy me