I rose slowly from the chair and the murmurs died down. All eyes pressed on me, curious, skeptical, impatient.
I took a breath, let the silence weigh a moment, then spoke.
“First and foremost,” I began, my voice steady but firm, “I would like to thank each and every one of you for your unwavering support for Aurelius… and for my mother, Selene Aurelius, when she was conscious. You stood by her, even when the tides grew rough. For that, I am grateful.”
A few faces softened slightly.
I continued, letting my gaze sweep across them.
“I am fully aware of the reality we’re facing. We are one step away from bankruptcy. A single push… and Aurelius could fall into the hands of another firm. And I will not allow that to happen.”
I straightened.
“If this company is acquired, you all know what
