Chapter 9: the board's Verdict
674 Words
The boardroom of Vance Enterprises was suffocating. Around the massive mahogany table sat the company’s top stakeholders and board members—all of them looking at Clara with sharp, critical eyes.
After the late-night moment they shared in the kitchen, Clara had barely slept. Now, standing by Ethan’s side in a sleek, professional dress, she had to play her role perfectly.
"Mr. Vance," one of the senior board members, a harsh-looking man named Mr. Sterling, spoke up, tapping his fingers on a newspaper. "The media is still questioning this sudden engagement. Miss Victoria Henderson was a known figure in high society. Her family brought massive shares to this merger. Suddenly, she is out, and your personal assistant is in. How can we trust that this marriage stabilizes our stock value?"
Clara felt her hands turn ice-cold. She looked down, but before she could show any sign of weakness, she felt a firm, warm hand clasp around hers under the table.
It was Ethan. He squeezed her hand gently, a silent command telling her to hold her ground.
"The Henderson merger is built on corporate contracts, Mr. Sterling, not just a name," Ethan’s voice rang out, steady, authoritative, and completely unbothered. "Clara has managed my schedule, my communications, and the inner workings of this company for over two years. She understands the logistics of Vance Enterprises better than anyone in the Henderson family ever could."
Ethan turned his cold gaze toward the board, his presence dominating the entire room. "My choice of bride does not weaken this company. It strengthens it. Clara is not just my assistant; she is the woman who ensures this empire runs smoothly every single day."
Mr. Sterling narrowed his eyes, turning his attention directly to Clara. "And you, Miss Clara? Are you prepared for the scrutiny? The lifestyle? The immense responsibility of being Mrs. Vance?"
Clara took a deep breath. She remembered the warmth of Ethan's touch from the night before and the confidence he just showed in her. She looked straight at Mr. Sterling, her eyes clear and unwavering.
"I understand that my background is different from what this board expected," Clara said, her voice clear and professional. "But for the past two years, my priority has been the success of Vance Enterprises. As Ethan's wife, that dedication will not change. I am here to support him, to protect this legacy, and to ensure our partners remain confident. If you doubt my capabilities, I invite you to look at our quarterly reports—reports that I personally finalized."
A brief silence fell over the room. The board members exchanged glances, some of them nodding in approval. Clara's sharp, corporate response left them with no room to argue.
"Very well," Mr. Sterling muttered, adjusting his glasses. "The stocks have stabilized this morning. We will monitor the public's reaction after the formal wedding this Saturday. Do not disappoint us, Mr. Vance."
As the meeting adjourned and the board members filed out, the heavy tension in the room finally lifted. Clara let out a long breath, her shoulders dropping.
Ethan let go of her hand, but he didn't move away immediately. He looked down at her, a rare, unreadable expression in his dark eyes.
"You handled that well," Ethan murmured, his voice surprisingly soft. "Most people crumble under Sterling's questioning."
"I learned from the best, Mr. Vance," Clara replied with a small, weary smile.
Ethan stepped closer, his dark eyes trapping hers. "What did I say about using my last name, Clara?"
"Right. Sorry... Ethan," she whispered, her heart starting to race again. The professional distance they kept during the meeting was dissolving, and the dangerous attraction from last night was creeping back.
"We proved we can handle the board," Ethan said, his voice dropping an octave as his eyes scanned her face. "But Saturday is the actual wedding. The entire world will be watching us. Be ready, Clara. There's no turning back now."
- Writer
