down his spine and causing beads of sweat to form on his foreh

comfortably in their seats, avoid

n who always maintained her composure, but

g in itself, a reminder of th

dire consequences, a fact that kep

g beads of sweat to form on his forehead. The room

comfortably in their seats, avoid

n who always maintained her composure, but

icy glare. A shiver ran down his spine, halting his speech midway. His e

spite his efforts to sound confident. He forced a pleasing sm

and to the level of his chest, a subcon

tinued, the tremor in his voice more pronounced now as he s

dn't help but sneer, her exp

as she regarded William, tilting her head slightl

slightly, her posture c

mile. Her gaze settled on William, and the intensity

ink under the weight of her unspoken threat. They understood that

t the silence stretch, enjoying the discomfort it caused. Final

lp you," she said, her voice dri

steely determination. She tapped the arm of her cha

a sentinel, moved. She walked to the door with purpose,

ay, and three imposing bodyguard-like men e

, their presence alone enough t

Esme, their movements sy

to her in unison, a gesture of respe

otion, they threw the bound

as

ryone except Esme. Chairs scraped against the floor as those arou

e silence, the kind that makes

n unchanging. She surveyed the scen

through the silence like a knife, "

hat moment, it was clear to everyone tha

compliance was no longer optio

d, his movements frantic and desperate. He dropped to h

people. They were the ones who asked me for this

as he pointed a trembling finger

t his words. Anger quickly replaced their initial sh

king about?" they shouted, their voices

med to disse

unfold with a calm, a

ssing the man kneeling before he

r palpable, while the accused board m

ned unmoved, her eyes flicking bet

n, their expressions impassive,

efore her, her expression inscrutable. "Is tha

She leaned forward slightly, her eyes locking onto

he glanced around the room, seeking s

ed, his voice barely a whisper. "Email

ugh the room, a mix o

exchanged glances, their ange

chair, her fingers drumm

gs," she commanded, her

t the threat hang in the air, t

antically, scramb

id, his voice shaking. He backed away, his eyes nev

d her gaze back to the remaining board me

sked, her voice a whisper of menace

tension almost tangible as E

ortably in their seats, casting

ntrast to the calm and composed fig