The morning of the board meeting arrived with a sharp clarity that made everything feel more serious.
The sky above the city was clear and bright, and sunlight poured through the tall windows of the headquarters building. From the outside it looked like any other business day. People hurried along the sidewalks. Taxis moved through traffic with impatient horns. Coffee shops were full of professionals starting their morning routines.
Inside the building, the atmosphere was different.
Everyone knew the board meeting was happening today.
The news had already spread across financial media. Several networks were speculating about what Hawthorne Capital might present to the directors. Some analysts believed the hedge fund would push aggressively for leadership changes. Others expected a more
