جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 60

*Wednesday | 8:00am | Carter Holdings, 40th Floor*The floor was too quiet for 8am, and that was the first thing that told Board Member 1 that something had already shifted before anyone said a single word. The assistants were at their desks, but their eyes kept flicking to the executive suite like they were waiting for a door to slam. Board Member 6 set her coffee down and looked at Board Member 8. Board Member 6 said, “Did you sleep at all last night because I didn’t, and if you tell me you did I’m going to be very annoyed with you.” Board Member 8 said, “I slept for maybe two hours, and it was mostly me staring at the ceiling wondering if we were about to make the biggest mistake of our careers or the only right decision we’ve made in five years.” Board Member 1 said, “It’s the right decision. I’ve been on this board for twelve years and I’ve never seen someone walk into a room and dismantle a company in ten minutes just to prove they could, and I’m not going to sit there and

*Friday | 11:47pm | Elena’s Apartment*The apartment was quiet. Elena sat at her kitchen table with a cold mug in front of her. The city was loud outside, but in here it felt like nothing was moving. Three days since the vote. Garrison was CEO. She was still COO. Maya came in with two fresh mugs. Maya said, “You’re going to make yourself sick.” Elena looked up. Elena said, “I’m fine.” Maya sat down. Maya said, “You haven’t slept. You haven’t eaten. And you’ve been here since nine.” Elena picked up the mug. Elena said, “I was thinking about Leonard.” Maya said, “Hayes?” Elena nodded. Elena said, “He was the only one who called me kid. Even when Victoria was losing it. Even when Ryan was gone for months. He’d just say, ‘Come eat, kid.’ Like I actually mattered.” Maya said, “He was good to you.” Elena said, “He was the only one who was.” They sat in silence for a bit. Maya said, “And your dad?” Elena shook her head. Elena said, “Leonard Carter. He never knew I existed.

Elena’s blood went cold. Because that notebook was from her storage unit. From the apartment she moved out of 3 weeks ago. A place Victoria had no right to be. Sunday | 7:00am | Elena’s ApartmentThe TV was still on mute. Victoria. Smiling. Holding the black notebook. Elena sat on the floor. Coffee cold. Maya came in and turned the TV off. Maya said, “You’ve been watching it for 3 hours.” Elena said, “She broke into my storage.” Maya said, “I know.” Elena said, “Three weeks ago. While I was in court.” Maya said, “What’s in it?” Elena said, “Notes. Budgets. Things I wrote when I came back. Nothing illegal. But she’ll twist it.” Maya said, “Then we sue.” Elena nodded. Elena said, “After work.” ---Sunday | 9:30am | Carter Holdings, COO OfficeThe office was full. Board Member 1 said, “She’s calling you a thief.” Board Member 6 said, “She’s saying you’re unfit to run a company.” Board Member 8 said, “The board is getting calls about the baby.” Elena looked up. Elena

*Wednesday | 8:00am | Carter Holdings, COO Office*Two men in suits were already waiting. SEC. Badge and all. Elena said, “Ms. Carter?” Elena said, “Yes.” Agent 1 said, “We’re here about Blackwood Holdings. Embezzlement. $40 million.” Elena nodded. Elena said, “Come in.” Maya closed the door. Agent 2 said, “We need to speak to Ryan Hayes.” Elena said, “He’s my employee.” Agent 1 said, “He’s a suspect.” Elena’s jaw ticked. Elena said, “He’s in a meeting. You can wait.” ---*Wednesday | 8:15am | Conference Room*Ryan sat across from two SEC agents. No lawyer. Yet. Agent 1 said, “Mr. Hayes. On August 3rd, 6 months ago, you authorized a $10M transfer to Cayman account 7741.” Ryan said, “I didn’t.” Agent 2 slid a paper. Agent 2 said, “This is your digital signature. And your login.” Ryan looked at it. Ryan said, “Someone used my credentials.” Agent 1 said, “Who?” Ryan said, “I don’t know.” Agent 1 said, “You were VP of Strategy. Only 3 people had access. You, CFO Elli

*Friday | 6:00pm | Victoria’s Penthouse, Dining Room*The table was set for 4. Crystal. Silver. Too quiet. Victoria was at the head. Wine glass in hand. Sophia sat to her right. 8 months pregnant. Rubbing her back. Ryan sat across from them. He hadn’t touched his food. Victoria said, “Eat, Ryan.” Ryan said, “I’m not hungry.” Victoria sighed. Victoria said, “We need to talk.” Sophia looked at Ryan. Soft smile. Sophia said, “Baby, we’re worried about you.” Ryan didn’t look up. Ryan said, “Don’t call me that.” Victoria put her glass down. Victoria said, “The SEC called me today.” Ryan’s head snapped up. Ryan said, “What did they say?” Victoria said, “They’re leaning toward dropping the case. For now.” Ryan exhaled. Ryan said, “Why?” Sophia said, “Because we gave them something better. Ellison’s wife. She signed off on the transfers.” Ryan frowned. Ryan said, “That was never in the report.” Victoria smiled. Victoria said, “We made it be.” The room went cold. Ryan