iana

ghty-second floors of sheer glass above Man

vision. I wore an impeccably tailored charcoal pantsuit, my dark hair pulled into a sleek, razor-sharp ponytail, carrying only

under her breath. "Word got out that Desmo

ithout breaking stride. "Gossip

table sat twelve senior directors, led by Robert Miller-the R&D director whose

by executive HR that you'd be joining our committee. Though considering the... unfortunate personal developments

he projection console, set my briefcase down

d, my voice cutting through the stuffy air of the room. "Fa

ating the main wall with an intric

emotion. "You based Apex Ventures' projected three-year ROI on a fifteen percent supply-chain margin from European raw-mat

ss faltering. "Those are s

gulatory bulletin. "Which means your supply chain costs will balloon by thirty-two percent by Q3. Under your

e room. The senior analysts sc

. "You didn't verify the supply chains because you rushed the tender to hit your qua

g, "You have no authority to le

requires," a crisp, chilling vo

f executive aide, stood framed in the entrance, h

a Sullivan has been appointed Senior Special Director of Strategic Acquisitions. Her authority over the Apex po

e a respectful, sligh

er looked as though he had swallowed glass. I c

th adjusted margin models," I s

iumph. I was making my way toward my new corner office when th

ut: Marcus Black

ewly recognized Alpha whose pack had just secured Sullivan backing. But the moment hi

in disbelief. "What the hell are you d

ile touching my lips. "Working, Gabe. Some of

irl. We came to meet the Sinclair Investment board to pitch the Blackwater i

jacent suite holding a thick, leather-bound portfo

ssment dossier for the Blackwater infrastructure bid is ready for your signature. The exe

or drained from his face un

l pages without looking at them. Then, I looke

ur pack's financial lifeline sits entirely at my desk. Make sure your n

the corridor, suffocating under the sudden realization that the woma