CHAPTER 5

ZENDAYA'S POV

I spent the rest of that week avoiding Malachi like my life depended on it. And Adrian noticed the tension, of course. How could he not?

"Did something happen between you two?" he asked me one morning over breakfast.

My heart nearly stopped. "What? No. Why would you think that?"

"You're avoiding him even more than usual," Adrian observed. "And Mal seems... I don't know. Off."

"We just don't get along," I said quickly. "You know that. Oil and water, remember?"

Adrian didn't look convinced, but he let it drop. Thank God.

Now, sitting in the boardroom of Morrison Industries, I wished Malachi was the only thing I had to worry about.

The room was exactly as I remembered from the few times I'd sat in on meetings with my father—massive mahogany table, leather chairs, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Fifteen board members sat around the table, their expressions ranging from curious to skeptical to outright hostile.

And at the far end, looking far too smug, sat Victor. My cousin. The man who'd been circling the CEO position like a vulture for years.

Adrian stood at the head of the table, his hands resting on the back of his chair. "Thank you all for coming. As you know, I called this meeting to officially step down as CEO and transfer the position to its rightful heir—my sister, Zendaya Morrison."

I sat in my wheelchair at his right hand, trying to project confidence I didn't feel. My hands were clasped in my lap to hide their trembling.

"Zendaya has been groomed for this position since she was sixteen," Adrian continued. "Our father prepared her extensively, and she has the vision and capability to lead Morrison Industries into the future."

"If I may interrupt," Victor said, standing up smoothly. His smile was pleasant, but his eyes were cold. "I'm afraid I have to object to this transition."

The room went silent.

Adrian's jaw tightened. "On what grounds?"

"On multiple grounds," Victor replied, buttoning his suit jacket. "First and foremost, Zendaya is not a suitable candidate for CEO."

"That's ridiculous—" I started, but Victor cut me off.

"Is it? Let's look at the facts, shall we?" Victor walked around the table, every inch the confident businessman. "This company has been led by men for three generations. Strong, capable men who built Morrison Industries into what it is today. Now, I'm not saying a woman couldn't lead—in theory. But Morrison Industries has traditions, has a certain... image to maintain."

"This is the twenty-first century, Victor," Adrian said coldly. "Gender has nothing to do with capability."

"Perhaps not," Victor conceded. "But even if we were to overlook tradition, there's still the matter of practical leadership. Our clients, our board, our shareholders—they expect a certain type of leadership. And historically, when women have led major corporations, they've had strong male partners to advise them, to provide balance."

"What are you suggesting?" I asked, though I already knew.

"I'm suggesting that if we're going to take the unprecedented step of appointing a female CEO, she should at least be married," Victor said bluntly. "She should have a husband who can provide counsel, who can represent the company alongside her. But you're not married, are you, Zendaya?"

The board members began murmuring among themselves.

"That's completely irrelevant," Adrian argued, his voice rising. "Zendaya is the rightful CEO. She's our father's chosen heir. She has his blood, his training, his vision for this company."

"Blood doesn't make a leader," Victor countered. "Action does. Commitment does. And where has Zendaya been for the past three years while you've been running the company, Adrian? She abandoned her responsibilities. She walked away when the company needed her most."

"I had an accident—" I started.

"Yes, a tragic accident," Victor interrupted, his tone dripping with false sympathy. "And we all sympathize with your situation. But that doesn't change the fact that you haven't been here. You haven't worked for this company, haven't proven yourself capable of handling the demands of CEO. You're asking us to hand you control of a multi-billion dollar empire based on nothing but your last name."

"She's proven herself today," Adrian said desperately. "She handled the investor call brilliantly. She knows this business inside and out."

"One phone call doesn't qualify someone to be CEO," Victor replied. He turned to address the board directly. "Ladies and gentlemen, I respect the Morrison family. I respect their legacy. But we have a responsibility to this company, to our shareholders, to our employees. Can we really afford to take such a massive risk on someone so... unproven?"

The murmuring grew louder. I could see the doubt spreading across their faces like a disease.

"I am the rightful heir," I said, my voice stronger than I felt. "My father chose me. Trained me. This is my birthright."

"Birthright doesn't guarantee competence," Victor said smoothly. "I propose we put it to a vote. All in favor of appointing Zendaya Morrison as CEO, raise your hands."

My heart pounded as I watched hands slowly rise around the table. Four. Five. Six people voted for me.

"And all in favor of eliminating Zendaya as a candidate due to her lack of experience and unmarried status?"

More hands rose. Seven. Eight. Nine.

I felt sick.

"The majority has spoken," Victor said, unable to hide his satisfaction. "I'm sorry, Zendaya, but—"

"You can't do this," Adrian interrupted, standing up. "This is completely unethical. You're discriminating against her based on gender and marital status."

"We're making a business decision," one of the older board members said. "Nothing personal."

"It's entirely personal," I said, my voice shaking with anger and desperation. "You're eliminating me because I'm a woman in a wheelchair who isn't married. Tell me how that's not personal."

The head of the board, Mr. Richardson, cleared his throat. "I'm afraid the vote is clear. We'll need to consider alternative candidates—"

The boardroom doors burst open.

Everyone turned as Malachi strode in, his presence commanding immediate attention. He looked every inch the powerful businessman in his tailored suit, his expression hard and determined.

"You have no right to eliminate her," Malachi announced, his voice carrying across the room.

"Mr. Hayes," Mr. Richardson said, clearly confused. "This is a private board meeting—"

"Not when you're discriminating against my fiancée," Malachi interrupted.

The room exploded.

"What?"

"Fiancée?"

"Since when?"

I stared at Malachi in complete shock, my mind unable to process what he'd just said. Adrian's mouth had fallen open. Victor looked like someone had punched him.

"That's right," Malachi continued, walking to stand behind my wheelchair, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder. "Zendaya and I are engaged. Have been for several weeks now. We've been keeping it quiet, but given the circumstances, I think it's time we made it public."

My heart hammered against my ribs. What was he doing?

"Well," Mr. Richardson said after a long pause, clearly thrown. "This is... unexpected news."

"Is it?" Malachi challenged. "Zendaya Morrison, daughter of one of the most successful businessmen in the country, engaged to the heir of Hayes Industries. Seems like a perfectly logical match to me."

Victor's face had gone red. "This is convenient timing."

"Is it?" Malachi's voice went cold. "Or is it convenient that you decided to bring up her marital status as a reason to eliminate her just as we were about to announce our engagement?"

Silence fell over the boardroom.