Chapter Six
943 Words
Stephanie’s POV
Stephanie stared at the message for a moment longer than necessary.
Then she opened the document.
It wasn’t the “revised framework notes” Mark had mentioned.
Not even close.
It was a formal communication.
Hale Group: Request for confirmation of leadership structure before proceeding.
Stephanie leaned back slightly.
Of course.
They would want confirmation of leadership before moving forward.
Before any contracts or commitments.
Adrian Hale didn’t seem like the type to skip formalities.
So she didn’t know why she was surprised.
Her lips curved faintly.
“Good,” she murmured.
She tapped her desk once, then picked up her phone.
“Mark.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Schedule a board meeting. Tomorrow morning.”
A pause.
“Make it hybrid. I want full attendance.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Stephanie ended the call and set her phone down.
They wanted structure.
She would give them structure.
The morning meeting was tense.
Predictably so.
Arguments circled.
Positions repeated.
Nothing moved.
So when Brennan suggested they reconvene later for a final vote—
Stephanie didn’t argue.
“We should meet again this evening,” he said. “Full attendance.”
Stephanie looked at him.
“Of course,” she replied calmly.
Cole leaned forward.
“We need time to… align.”
“Or persuade?” she asked lightly.
No one answered.
Stephanie leaned back.
“You want time to speak to my father.”
Brennan didn’t deny it.
“That would be advisable.”
Stephanie nodded once.
“Then take it.”
That was all she said.
And just like that
She stopped.
No more pushing or explaining.
She had already done her part.
If they still hesitated
That was on them.
The evening meeting felt different the moment she walked in.
Full attendance.
Her father was already seated.
Stephanie acknowledged him with a small nod and took her seat.
At the far end of the table
Adrian Hale.
So they had invited him.
Of course, they had.
They needed him now.
Stephanie didn’t look at him again.
The meeting began.
Brennan spoke first.
“We’ve taken time to review the situation more thoroughly.”
Cole added,
“We’re not disputing the value of the project.”
That was new.
Whitmore followed.
“But we still have concerns about long-term stability.”
Stephanie said nothing.
Her father spoke next.
“The issue isn’t capability,” he said.
“It’s continuity.”
Stephanie’s gaze flicked to him briefly.
Then away.
“This project requires a leadership structure that reassures investors,” he continued.
Cole nodded.
“Exactly.”
Victoria’s voice came through the screen.
“And reassurance, in this case, means what exactly?”
A pause.
Then
“Marriage,” Cole said.
Just like that.
No one softened it this time.
Stephanie didn’t react.
Not outwardly.
The room continued.
Arguments repeated.
Positions defended.
Her father didn’t commit.
Not fully.
But he didn’t support her either.
Across the table, Adrian remained silent.
Watching.
Not involved.
Just present.
Until he stood.
And everything stopped.
Stephanie’s gaze lifted.
“This debate over clear competence and perception delays this project unnecessarily.”
His voice was calm.
“If it isn’t resolved internally by the end of business today—”
A pause.
“Hale Group will actively pursue this project with another company.”
This time, it didn’t feel like pressure.
It felt like a consequence.
Adrian didn’t wait.
Didn’t explain.
He turned
And walked out.
The door closed.
No one spoke immediately.
Stephanie leaned back slowly.
Folded her hands.
And stayed silent.
She had done her part.
She had the numbers.
The results.
The proof.
And still, they hesitated.
Fine.
If they lost the contract now, it would be on them.
Not her.
Stephanie didn’t leave immediately after the meeting ended.
She stayed seated for a moment longer.
Not because she had anything left to say.
But because she didn’t.
The room had emptied slowly.
Voices low. Movements quieter than usual.
No one wanted to be the first to acknowledge what had just happened.
She stood eventually.
Picked up her tablet.
Walked out.
“Stephanie.”
Her father’s voice stopped her just before she reached the elevator.
She stopped.
Turned.
“Come to my office.”
She followed him.
The walk was quiet.
His office door closed behind them.
He remained standing.
She did too.
“This doesn’t have to be difficult,” he said.
Stephanie said nothing.
“If you were married,” he continued, “this would be resolved already.”
“The board would have no grounds to hesitate. No reason to delay. No excuse.”
Stephanie stood still.
“You’ve done the work,” he went on. “You’ve proven your capability. But this is not just about results.”
“It’s about stability. About perception. About what people can trust.”
Stephanie did not respond.
“A husband, a steady home, he said, “removes doubt.”
He stepped closer.
“You are very close to losing this because you refuse to make a simple decision.”
That was when she spoke.
“I don’t know what’s worse.”
Her voice was even.
“Watching my father side with insecure men to bring me down after all my hard work, or watching incompetent board members think they have a chance because you’re supporting them.”
He didn’t interrupt.
“They have only embarrassed me publicly and, somehow, made us appear indecisive, unprofessional, and divided to Hale Group, all because of my marital status.”
A brief pause.
“I am not getting married.”
“So don’t think twice when voting against me.”
She turned.
And walked out.
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