leaves outside her window. The weight of responsibility still sat heavily on her chest, and though she had slept, it had been a restles

ilip Porter. He had been one of her father's closest confidants and had maintained a sharp focus on

nancial reports she had left open the night before. His presence was oddly comforting, yet unnerving-especially given the complexity of th

sing the room to pour herself a

, continuing to scan the reports with a level of

a mess, Rosa. There are several red flags here-deals your father made with some q

sipping her coffee as she process

the extent of the company's exposure, we'll be vulnerable. But it's not just the investments. There are also some key

s absence, the board members and high-ranking executives were circling like sharks. The prospect of betrayal was real

"The board is already questioning my le

don't know you. They don't

f the responsibility he was placing on her. She couldn't afford to second-guess hers

he asked, refocusing

ed to take control of the narrative. The board's already been given a glimpse of the company's financial troubles, but we can't afford to let them see t

nt. "You think we shoul

ting costs, shoring up weak investments, and increasing liquidity. We'll position it as a 'restructuring plan,'

nd of thoughts racing through her mind. "What if they

voice resolute. "You have to show them that you're in control-that yo

that the balance between truth and deception was precariously thin. But what choice did she have? The co

aid finally.

of pride in his eyes

-

t even more imposing than usual, the long oak table stretching between them like a chasm. Rosa had already gone over the reports multipl

s early fifties, sharp-featured and well-dressed, with the kind of authority that came from years of climbing the corporate ladder. He h

seat at the table. His eyes flickered toward Alex but quickly re

s more clearly. There are several discrepancies in the overseas investments, an

company's international dealings have always been handled with the utmost care

hese partnerships are linked to offshore accounts. These ac

s before he quickly regained his composure. "There are always complex elements in international business, Ms. Kin

at what you call it? These 'unconventional methods' are

tension. "There's nothing to hide," he said, his voice cool, but there was an und

nies? Why hide the financials from the board? This isn't j

omething darker-something that made her stomach tighten. He was hiding

o protect the legacy of this company.

voice cold. "Show me everything.