Chapter Seven
700 Words
The moment Damien left Laurent Dynamics, the atmosphere inside the building changed.
The whispers became louder.
Employees who had been pretending to work were now openly discussing the news.
Some were sympathetic.
Others were curious.
And a few looked at Raven as though she were a stranger.
She ignored all of them.
For five years, she had built Laurent Dynamics from nothing.
A news headline wasn't going to make her lose control.
At least that's what she kept telling herself.
An hour later, Raven sat in a conference room reviewing quarterly reports with several executives.
On the surface, everything looked normal.
Numbers.
Growth projections.
Future contracts.
The usual discussions that came with running a successful company.
But nobody in the room was truly focused.
Every now and then, someone would glance at their phone.
Others exchanged uneasy looks.
The news was still spreading.
Raven noticed every single one of them.
Yet she continued the meeting as if nothing had happened.
"The Singapore expansion remains our priority," she said calmly.
"We'll finalize the partnership next week."
The executives nodded.
Then suddenly, she felt a light tap on her shoulder.
Raven looked up.
Her assistant stood beside her.
Pale.
Nervous.
The kind of nervous that meant trouble.
"Ms. Laurent," she whispered.
Raven immediately knew this wasn't good.
"What is it?"
"The board is requesting your presence."
The room instantly became quiet.
Several executives looked away.
Others pretended not to listen.
Raven closed the report in front of her.
"Requesting?"
Her assistant swallowed.
"They've called an emergency board meeting."
Of course they had.
The timing couldn't have been more predictable.
The news broke.
The investors panicked.
Now the board wanted answers.
The question was how much they already knew.
Raven slowly stood.
"Continue without me."
The executives nodded immediately.
Nobody argued.
Nobody even looked relieved.
Because everyone understood the situation.
Something serious was happening.
A few minutes later, Raven entered the executive boardroom.
The atmosphere felt different the moment she stepped inside.
Tense.
Expectant.
Dangerous.
Every seat was occupied.
The chairman sat at the head of the table.
Several directors avoided eye contact.
Others stared openly.
Waiting.
Watching.
Judging.
The chairman gestured toward an empty chair.
"Please sit."
Raven remained standing.
"I'd rather hear why I've been called here."
A brief silence followed.
Then one of the directors slid a tablet across the table.
The screen displayed the same headline that had been flooding the internet all morning.
DEAD HEIRESS ALIVE? SHOCKING CONNECTION TO LAURENT DYNAMICS CEO.
Raven didn't react.
The director frowned slightly.
"We assume you've seen it."
"I have."
Another board member leaned forward.
"Then perhaps you'd like to explain."
The room fell silent.
Every eye focused on her.
Waiting for a mistake.
Waiting for fear.
Waiting for confirmation.
Instead, Raven calmly folded her arms.
"Explain what exactly?"
The chairman sighed.
"The allegations."
"The rumors."
"The connection between you and Raven Vale."
The name echoed through the room.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Raven smiled.
Small.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
"A news article is now considered evidence?"
Several board members shifted uncomfortably.
The chairman wasn't amused.
"This company has shareholders."
"And shareholders deserve stability."
Another director nodded.
"The market is reacting."
Raven looked around the room.
One by one.
Studying each face.
Measuring their intentions.
Most weren't interested in the truth.
They were interested in protecting their investments.
There was a difference.
Finally, she spoke.
"Laurent Dynamics has exceeded every target this board has ever set."
Nobody argued.
Because it was true.
"Our profits have increased."
Silence.
"Our expansion plans remain on schedule."
More silence.
"Our investors continue making money."
The chairman rubbed his temple.
"That's not what we're discussing."
"No," Raven replied calmly.
"It isn't."
For the first time, irritation appeared on the chairman's face.
Because she wasn't giving them what they wanted.
An explanation.
A confession.
Anything.
Instead, she was forcing them to reveal their hand first.
And none of them liked it.
The chairman leaned forward.
His next question was direct.
Cold.
And impossible to misunderstand.
"Ms. Laurent."
A pause.
Then:
"Are you Raven Vale?"
The room became completely silent.
Not a single person moved.
Everyone waited for her answer.
And Raven knew whatever happened next would change everything.
- Writer
