42. The Black Thing

Avalyn

The conference room Nik led me to was on the same floor.

It was a big room with a big U-shaped table facing a projector screen. The seats were occupied by a mix of middle and old-aged men and women. There was another desk set up in front of the screen that faced the table.

Nik and I took a seat on that desk. The atmosphere in the room was so serious and sombre that I felt slightly uncomfortable.

Nik placed a comforting hand on my thigh and I relaxed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would first like to introduce my wife, Avalyn Volkov. She is now a part-owner of this company," Nik introduced me and I offered everyone a smile.

They all let out murmurs of congratulations and smiles, but it felt fake. I could feel the dread rolling off them. I could smell their uneasiness and fear.

"Thank you," I said and nodded with a smile.

Nik took a moment to look at everyone and then decided to be blunt as usual. "We know why we are here today. Twenty million dollars was stolen from my