Marcus gave a humorless laugh. I wish it was a ghost. That bad? Marcus turned the laptop around. Daniel read the recovered logs, then read them again.
His expression changed instantly. No way. That's what I thought. Daniel shook his head slowly. If this is real, the board situation is only part of the problem.
Marcus nodded. The board had been a battlefield. This was something deeper. This was rot inside the foundation. Meanwhile, 48 floors above the city, Evelyn sat alone in her office after another exhausting day of meetings.
Her executive team had spent hours discussing Harbor Crest integration plans, investor concerns, and acquisition timelines. Yet, she could barely focus on a single presentation. Every face around the conference table now carried a question mark. Every smile seemed rehearsed. Every conversation felt layered with possibilities she could no longer ignore.
For years, she had trusted instinct as much as data. Now both were at war with each other. Her gaze drifted toward the framed photograph sitting on a shelf near the window. It showed Crown Spire's leadership team 5 years earlier during the opening of a flagship luxury resort. Everyone was smiling.
Everyone looked proud. Everyone looked united. Evelyn stood and walked toward the frame. Slowly, she studied each face. Somewhere in that photograph stood the person helping destroy her.
The realization hollowed her chest. Betrayal from enemies hurt. Betrayal from family left scars. Her office phone buzzed. Olivia Trent.
Evelyn answered immediately. Tell me you have good news. Olivia sounded tired. Depends how much bad news you can tolerate first. Evelyn closed her eyes.
Go ahead. Grant Whitaker just submitted another request. For what? An accelerated leadership review. Evelyn's jaw tightened.
He's still pushing. Harder than before. Olivia paused. Which means he's scared. That got Evelyn's attention.
Olivia rarely speculated. Why? Because people don't rush unless they think time is working against them. Evelyn turned back toward the city. Somewhere across town, Marcus was digging into evidence.
Somewhere inside the company, someone was panicking. The pieces were moving faster. Now, "What aren't you telling me? " Evelyn asked. Olivia hesitated.