The boardroom was suffocating. Not from heat, but from the tension. The glass walls did nothing to soften the jagged air. Around the table sat men and women in sharp suits, murmuring as if afraid to speak too loudly in the presence of a ghost.
At the head of the table was Damien's chair — untouched. His nameplate still sat there, cold and gleaming, like a gravestone.
Sebastian Cross sat to the left, elbow on the armrest, jaw tight, his eyes trained on nothing. Beside him, Marcel ran a hand down his face, exhaling as if he'd aged ten years in one month.
The legal officer stood.
"We are gathered to finalise the leadership transition of CrossCorp in light of Mr. Damien Cross's untimely passing. As per his written intentions, the role of CEO is to be transferred to Miss Chloe Bennett."
The name hung in the room like smoke.
Sebastian's gaze flickered — barely — as the doors opened.
Chloe stepped in.
