Art of Misalignment

Chapter 27 Sham Review

The boardroom felt like a courtroom wrapped in corporate politeness. Jeffrey sat at the head like a judge, fingers steepled. Charlie leaned back, scrolling through his phone with half-lidded eyes. Ellis, the oldest, tapped a silver pen against his notepad and watched everything with quiet suspicion. The rest of the room—department heads, technical advisors, and two junior analysts—sat stiff and silent.

Chloe stood at the front, projector remote in hand, posture straight even though exhaustion still clung to her bones. Her voice stayed steady and precise. Behind her, the big screen showed clean 3D renders of the restored theater—elegant curves, reinforced structure, and preserved Art Deco details glowing under soft lighting.

“Thank you all for being here,” Chloe began, clicking to the first slide.

She moved through the presentation with clear, surgical steps.

Chloe clicked to the final render—warm, inviting, alive. “This design respects history and delivers profit. Projected ticket revenue increases 28% with the improved acoustics and flexible seating. Questions?”

A few technical advisors nodded visibly. One older engineer even murmured, “Impressive data.” Jeffrey’s expression stayed neutral, but he gave a single, slow nod. Charlie glanced up from his phone for the first time.

Ellis leaned forward. “Solid work, Chloe. Thorough.”

Chloe allowed herself the smallest exhale of relief as she returned to her seat. Her team exchanged quick, hopeful glances. For the first time in weeks, the weight in her chest felt a fraction lighter.

Then Sarah rose.

She moved to the front with easy grace. A confident, almost seductive smile curved her lips as she connected her laptop.

“Thank you, Chloe. That was… very detailed,” Sarah said, voice smooth and warm, like honey over broken glass. The screen lit up with her renders—clean lines, yes, but flat, boxy, soulless. The theater looked like any generic event space in a shopping mall.

Sarah clicked once. “While Chloe’s approach is charmingly artistic, we need to be realistic. My proposal cuts construction costs by 19% through simplified materials and removes unnecessary decorative elements. Modern audiences don’t care about preserved molding—they want comfort and i********:-worthy spaces.”

She gestured elegantly. “Look at these seating configurations. Maximum capacity increased by 12%. Revenue projections? Up 31%. Simple. Efficient. Profitable.”

Charlie’s eyes lingered on Sarah a beat too long. Jeffrey raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Ellis frowned slightly at the stripped-down visuals.

One advisor cleared his throat. “The acoustic modeling in your version seems… lighter. Any data on sound quality?”

Sarah’s smile never faltered. It only deepened, charming and disarming. “We prioritized practicality over nostalgia. Live sound tests from similar venues show audiences are perfectly satisfied. Besides,” she added with a soft laugh, “heritage features drive up insurance premiums. Why pay for beauty no one notices?”

Chloe’s fingers tightened around her pen. The contrast was painful. Her own presentation had been thick with data, passion, and precision. Sarah’s felt hollow—yet delivered with such polished confidence that the room seemed to lean in.

Sarah turned directly to the board members, eyes bright. “Gentlemen, this is a business decision. My design delivers faster ROI and lower risk. Chloe’s version is lovely, but it’s expensive sentimentality. We’re architects, not museum curators.”

Jeffrey finally spoke, voice measured. “Both presentations are noted. We’ll review the full packets and vote within the hour.”

As Sarah returned to her seat, she passed close to Chloe. Their eyes met. Sarah’s smile was perfect—warm on the surface, razor-sharp underneath.

“Nice try,” she whispered, just loud enough for Chloe to hear.

Chloe held her gaze, refusing to look away.

Sarah’s soft laugh floated behind her as she sat down, crossing her legs with practiced ease. The room buzzed with quiet murmurs. Technical staff still favored Chloe’s numbers, but the executives exchanged glances that spoke louder than words—comfort, cost, speed.

Dave leaned toward Chloe, voice low. “You did everything right. The data doesn’t lie.”

Chloe stared at the screen where both proposals now sat side by side. Hers rich with soul. Sarah’s sleek and empty. Yet Sarah sat back relaxed, checking her nails with that same flawless smile, completely unbothered.

The vote loomed like a guillotine.

Chloe felt the familiar ache return—not just for the project, but for every time she had poured her heart into something only to watch someone with better connections and fewer principles walk away smiling.

The board members began their private discussion at the far end of the table. Jeffrey, Charlie, and Ellis spoke in hushed tones.