The atmosphere in the sleek boardroom of Hale Industries was suffocating. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a sprawling view of Manhattan’s skyline, but inside, the tension was palpable.
Sebastian sat at the head of the long, polished table, his expression granite-hard as his senior executives flanked him. Across from him, his PR manager, Derek Lowe, shifted uncomfortably, his tablet glowing with the latest headlines.
“Your name’s everywhere, Sebastian,” Derek said, his voice tight. “But not for the right reasons.”
Sebastian’s jaw ticked. “How bad is it?”
Derek flicked through the slides with grim efficiency:
“Hale Industries CEO in Custody War: Business or Battle?”
“Public Feud Tarnishes Hale Industries’ Image.”
“Boycott Hale Industries” trends as public opinion divides.”
Worse, th
