The boardroom had never looked more polished.
Dark walnut panels glowed under the overhead lights. The oval table gleamed. Polished leather seats lined each side, spaced evenly, water bottles perfectly aligned, nameplates glinting in silver. Everything was clean. Professional. Predictable.
Leo stepped in first.
His hand froze for a second on the door handle before he fully entered. He stood by the threshold for a moment, letting his eyes sweep across the room. The long mahogany table. The chandelier overhead. The familiar faces already seated. His throat tightened.
He had walked into this room a thousand times. But this time felt different. This time, it wasn’t just about strategy. It was survival.
He moved to his usual seat. It was near the head of the table—not quite the chairman’s
