DANIEL POV

The boardroom feels smaller than usual.

Twelve faces around the mahogany table. Some are sympathetic—barely. Most hostile, their expressions carved from stone and judgment. All of them weighing my worth like I’m a stock they’re considering dumping.

The air is thick with expensive cologne and barely concealed contempt.

I take my seat at the head of the table, the leather chair creaking under my weight. Nathan sits to my right, his jaw already tight with tension. His tablet ...