Lucian's POV
The second time I walked into the Cross Media Entertainment boardroom that day, everything had changed. The same twelve people sat around the same mahogany table, but the dynamic had shifted completely. Where there had been cold calculation before, now there was nervous energy. Where there had been judgment, now there was respect.
And where I had been desperate before, now I was in complete control.
"Gentlemen," I said, taking my seat at the head of the table like I'd never left. "I understand you'd like to discuss my reinstatement."
Webb cleared his throat. "Lucian…”
“Mr. Cross.” I cut him off.
“Sorry, Mr. Cross, we owe you an apology. The board acted precipitously this morning. We failed to consider the full scope of the situation."
"You mean you failed to consider th
