Chapter 12: The Boardroom
Tuesday morning, the glass-walled executive boardroom buzzed with nervous energy. Julian stood at the head of the long mahogany table, projecting an aura of calm, unshakeable authority. Mara, flawlessly playing the role of the supportive wife, sat elegantly in a corner observer's chair.
Before Julian could begin his address, the heavy double doors swung open. Marcus Thorne strode into the room, a smug, predatory grin plastered across his face. He was flanked by a team of sharp-suited corporate lawyers.
"Julian," Marcus announced loudly, tossing a thick dossier onto the center of the table. "Your company is officially insolvent. But I'm here to offer a generous buyout. Sign the transfer of assets, or I expose your fraudulent Project Apex records to the SEC today."
