Chapter 13:The United Front
713 Words
The boardroom felt smaller today, suffocated by an unspoken accusation. Marcus Sterling’s intrusion into Jace’s private suite had not gone unnoticed. Twelve pairs of eyes—including my father’s former associates—watched us as we entered, searching for any crack in our armor.
Jace walked to the head of the table, her presence a silent, terrifying force. I took my place two paces behind her chair, my hands clasped, my spine ramrod straight. The silver bead at my neck felt like a brand, a visible declaration of allegiance.
"I understand there are questions regarding a... security breach this morning," Jace began, her voice calm, almost bored. She didn't look at anyone directly, yet her gaze seemed to pierce through every man in the room. "Let me assure you, the trespasser has been dealt with. And he will face criminal charges for corporate espionage."
"Corporate espionage?" Chief Okoro scoffed, pushing back from the table. "Jace, we heard Marcus Sterling claiming you have Associate Vance living in your private quarters. That’s not espionage; that’s a conflict of interest. It’s a scandal. It suggests you’re using company assets for personal... arrangements."
The word "arrangements" hung in the air, thick with insinuation. My cheeks flushed hot, but I didn't dare move. I looked at Jace’s back, waiting for her command.
Jace finally turned, her gaze sweeping over the men like a predator sizing up its prey. "Chief Okoro, are you implying that my decision to house my Associate on-site, where she is available 24/7 to manage the most complex merger in Vantage Holdings' history, is a 'personal arrangement'?"
She walked to the edge of the table, her hands flat against the polished mahogany. "Or are you implying that the woman who just secured a billion-Naira deal for this company, the woman who found the loopholes you all missed, is merely a plaything?"
Her eyes, dark and dangerous, landed on me. "Associate Vance, tell these men how many hours you worked yesterday on the Sterling transition. Tell them what time you finally finished the audit transcription."
I stepped forward, meeting her gaze directly. "I finished the transcription at exactly 2:00 AM, Director. I then reviewed the preliminary integration reports until 4:00 AM, as per your instructions. I have been on-site and fully available for Vantage Holdings for the last forty-eight hours."
Jace’s lips curved into a faint, satisfied smile. "There is no 'conflict of interest,' Gentlemen. There is only an Associate with unparalleled dedication, who is executing her duties to the letter. My 'personal arrangements' are my own business, but her professional performance is your profit."
She turned back to the board, her voice dripping with ice. "Marcus Sterling's presence here this morning was an attempt to destabilize the Sterling integration, costing this company millions. Any further questions about my Associate's residency will be taken as an act of corporate sabotage. Do I make myself clear?"
The men sat in stunned silence, their eyes darting nervously between Jace and me. No one dared to speak. The "United Front" had won.
When the meeting finally adjourned, and the men filed out, looking thoroughly chastised, Jace didn't move. She waited until the doors were closed, then she turned to me.
"Your father's name was whispered in that room, Elena," she said, her voice quiet. "They were trying to remind you of your old life, to make you doubt my command."
"It didn't work," I replied, meeting her gaze. "I chose you. I chose the command."
Jace walked toward me, her hand reaching out to touch my cheek. Her fingers were warm, sending a shiver down my spine. "Good. Because the next thing they’ll try to do is isolate you. They’ll invite you to lunches, to dinners. They’ll try to remind you that you don't belong here, that you’re still the 'Princess.'"
She leaned in, her lips brushing my ear. "You will refuse every invitation. You will eat only at my table. You will remember that your loyalty is a shield, and your obedience is your strength. You are my Associate, Elena. And I own every piece of that truth."
As I walked out of the boardroom ahead of her, the silver bead at my neck felt heavier, warmer. The command wasn't just a burden anymore. It was a belonging.
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