THE OFFER
276 Words
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Chapter 8: The Offer
The news didn’t stop.
For 48 hours Aurelia Ventures was all over every headline. Reporters camped outside the building. Employees whispered in the hallways. The board called an emergency meeting.
Aria didn’t attend.
She watched from home as they voted to remove Keith as acting CEO. Effective immediately. The company needed a face. A name people trusted.
Her phone buzzed. Board Chairman.
"Ms. Stone," he said carefully. "We would like to offer you your position back. Interim CEO. Full reinstatement. We are prepared to announce it today."
Aria laughed once, with no humor. "You want me to clean up the mess you made?"
"We were misled," he said. "By Keith. By Chloe. The company needs you."
She was quiet.
98 days. That’s all she had left with the experimental treatment. If she took the job, the stress could kill her faster. If she didn’t, Keith’s people would try again.
"Terms," she said finally.
"Full control. No board oversight for 6 months. 10 percent equity grant. And security. 24/7."
"Done," Aria said. "Announce it at noon. And get Chloe out of police custody. I want to talk to her first."
She hung up.
By noon her name was back on the door. CEO.
The office felt different. Colder. But it was hers.
That evening, a black car pulled up to her building. Two officers got out with Chloe in handcuffs.
"She asked for you," one officer said.
Aria nodded. They put Chloe in the lobby conference room.
Chloe looked up, eyes red. "I didn’t know he would try to kill you. I swear."
Aria closed the door.
"Then tell me everything."
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- Writer
