were standing along the walls. The air buzzed with nervous energy. The Apex employ

of folding chairs. She kept her head down, her hair falling forward to sh

to her could hear it. Her palms were slick with sweat. Sh

le doors

ked different here, in his element. He wore a dark gray cashmere sweater and t

r the crowd like a searchlight. Helena shrank back

of Nexus Dynamics, the strategic value of the Apex acquisition, and the "synergies" they would create. He was

ting in her gut. This was not the man she had left behind

shot up, asking safe, corporate questions about stock options and repo

drifted to the

that made her entire body tense. His eyes locked onto hers, and for a split second, h

ay. He leaned int

said, his voice casual but cutting through the room like

e weight of a hundred stares pressing down on

structed, his tone leavi

stood, her knees trembling, feeling li

introduce yourself. Tell us your name, your position, and... for the benefit of those wh

st words, a subtle c

e back of the chair in front of her, her knuckles white

ing from Baruch College. For the past four years, I've be

, sibilant, and cutting. In a room full of MBA graduates and certifie

degree, followed by a... significant career detour. Finance is the backbone of this or

"Cynthia, I trust our hiring criteria moving forward will be laser-focused on ca

to Helena, but to Cynthia. It was a

ed red. "Mr. Armstro

dismissive. "Welcome to Nexus, Ms. Ayers. Nexus is built on a foundation of excellence. As we integrate, we will be eva

The blood was rushing in her ears. She stood there, exposed a

with absolute certainty, that her time at Nexus Dynamics was over. Keven had jus