Oh God.
Oh God oh God oh God.
I’m going to cry. I can feel the tears building, hot and traitorous, and I absolutely cannot cry in front of Martin Hale and the entire board of directors.
Helena Vasquez is actually smiling.
“I’m implementing Bree’s foundation proposal,” Nico says, turning back to the board. “The full restructuring plan will be on your desks this week. And when the dust settles, we’ll be having a very different conversation about Ms. Dawson’s role in this company.”
Martin sputters. “You can’t just derail a governance vote with some claptrap from a subordinate you’re having an inappropriate rel—”
“She’s not a subordinate I’m having an inappropriate relationship with.” Nico’s voice goes cold. “She’s the strategic mind that’s been saving this company while I took credit for her work. A long overdue recognition that changes today.”
I grip my laptop so hard my knuckles go white.
He just said that. In front of everyone. In front of Martin freaking Hale and the board and God and everybody.
Two board members are exchanging glances. One of them is actually nodding. Helena looks like she’s about to applaud. Paloma, meanwhile, seems ready to throw up.
I don’t know what my face is doing, but it’sprobably something embarrassing. Pride and shock and overwhelming emotion all fighting for dominance while I try very hard not to burst into tears in the middle of a hostile takeover attempt.
This is how he planned to make it up to me?
All those conversations about not being able to give me credit without making things worse.
He was waiting for this.
For the moment when it would matter most.
Nico’s eyes meet mine across the boardroom. Just for a second. Just long enough for me to see the vulnerability beneath the cold corporate exterior.
Then he turns back to the board. “Now, before we vote on anything, there’s one more matter I need to address.” Nico’s jaw tightens and his hands flatten on the conference room table. “Let’s talk about how this story actually reached the press, shall we?” His gaze lands on Martin like a guided missile. “And your sister’s role in orchestrating it.”
29
Nico
The boardroom goes silent.
Martin Hale’s confident expression flickers. Just for a second. Most people would miss it. But I’ve spent years reading rooms, reading faces, reading the subtle tells that separate the predators from the prey.
I’ve got him.
“The initial leak,” I continue. “The one that started this whole mess. The internal slide deck that landed on a public forum and nearly destroyed donor confidence in this company.”
“The leak was traced to a junior employee,” Martin interjects. “Remy Durant. Nothing to do with me.”
My forensics team finally learned who the leaker was this week. But Martin is leaving something out...
“You’re right. Remy Durant did leak those slides.” I turn to Dashiell, who’s been waiting with the patience of a man who knows exactly what’s coming. “Dash. If you wouldn’t mind.”
My CFO stands, picks up a stack of folders fromthe table beside him, and begins distributing them around the room. One for each board member. One for Larissa. One for Paloma.
One for Martin.
Even though he already knows what’s inside.
“What is this?” Helena Vasquez opens her folder first. Her eyes scan the first page, then widen.
