Blood in the Boardroom
802 Words
Zay stood silently in the vast corridor outside the executive boardroom, his shoulders tense, heart pounding with a mix of anger and exhaustion. The sleek glass doors reflected his image back at him — a man caught between duty and betrayal. He took a slow, steadying breath before pushing the doors open.
Inside, Micheal was already there, seated casually behind the polished mahogany table. His sharp eyes glittered with cruel amusement as he caught sight of Zay.
A slow smirk spread across Micheal’s face.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the prodigal son,” Micheal sneered, voice dripping with sarcasm. “What is an animal like you doing here? I didn’t realize Golden Age Corp had become a zoo — hosting creatures with no morals, no discipline. Or are you here just to entertain us by being your usual self?”
Zay’s eyes burned with cold fury, but he remained silent, his lips pressed tightly together. He could feel the weight of the entire room pressing down on him — the legacy of his father, the expectations, the whispered doubts.
Slowly, Zay turned toward the door. He would not dignify Micheal’s insult with a response.
But Micheal wasn’t done.
“You know, you were given the crown… but I was born for it,” Micheal said, rising with a confident swagger. “Watch your throne. Not that you have to worry — it’s already been taken from you. The CEO position is mine, and everyone knows it.”
Zay paused for a heartbeat, then without a word, he left the room, the sound of the door closing behind him sharp and final.
Alone in the quiet hallways, Zay’s mind raced. His footsteps echoed as he made his way to his father’s office, a sanctuary now clouded with memories.
The heavy door creaked open, revealing the dimly lit room that once held the presence of a man who’d built an empire with his bare hands and unwavering spirit. Zay ran his fingers along the desk, feeling the ghosts of his father’s guidance.
“You are the future,” his father’s words echoed in his mind. “The legacy must be protected. But more than that, you must become more than a name. You must become a leader worthy of this company.”
Zay swallowed hard. His father was gone, and the throne he left behind was slipping away.
He was about to leave the office when muffled voices stopped him at the far end of the corridor.
Hiding in the shadows, Zay listened as Micheal spoke quietly with two company executives.
“That boy is hopeless,” one executive muttered. “I honestly wish you were Mr. Cruz’s son instead of Zay. He’s not cut out for this—too reckless, too soft. The company needs a strong hand.”
Micheal chuckled softly, the sound full of bitter satisfaction.
“I don’t wish to take what’s mine by blood from my cousin,” Micheal said carefully. “But I am doing this for the company. My father worked hand in hand to build this empire, even if he was never CEO. It will be an honor to carry on their work. The company deserves a leader who’s truly fit—someone like me. Someone willing to do what’s necessary.”
The footsteps faded, and Zay was left in the cold silence of the hallway, fury burning beneath his skin.
He gripped his fists tightly, the sting of their words cutting deeper than any blade.
Across the office, in a more peaceful room, Rhea stood with Mrs. Cruz, the tension on their faces almost palpable.
“Ma’am, your son will come around,” Rhea said gently, her voice filled with quiet confidence.
Mrs. Cruz’s eyes were clouded with worry as she shook her head.
“I hope so,” she whispered. “But it’s not like he can just walk in here and say, ‘I want to be part of the company.’ It’s… complicated.”
Rhea nodded. “I know. But sometimes, the hardest part is simply showing up.”
The office door suddenly swung open with a sharp creak.
Zay stood in the threshold, his posture stiff but determined. His voice rang out clear and steady across the room.
“I want to be a part of the company.”
The words hung in the air like a challenge, shaking the room with their quiet power.
Mrs. Cruz’s eyes widened in surprise. Rhea’s lips curled in a small, approving smile.
Zay took a step forward.
“This company is my father’s legacy. It’s my responsibility, whether they want to see it or not.”
He glanced at Micheal’s office across the hall, the battle lines drawn.
“I’m not here to ask for permission. I’m here to claim what’s rightfully mine.”
- Writer
