The boardroom doors closed with a heavy thud.

Aria had never seen a room feel this tense before.

Long polished table.

Ten board members.

Serious faces.

And Kael standing at the head of the room like a man walking into a storm he already expected.

Aria sat quietly near the wall with Leo.

She leaned toward him.

Aria: “Why does everyone look like they’re about to fire someone?”

Leo: “Because they are.”

Aria: “…That’s not comforting.”

Across the table, an older man adjusted his glasses.

Board Member 1: “Let’s begin.”

The chairman folded his hands.

Chairman: “This emergency meeting has been called to address serious concerns regarding CEO leadership.”

Aria glanced at Kael.

He looked completely calm.

Almost bored.

Chairman: “Mr. Dev, the board has reason to believe your recent decisions have placed Orion in a vulnerable position.”

Leo whispered quietly.

Leo: “Translation: someone is trying to kick him out.”

Aria swallowed.

Aria: “Who?”

Leo gave a small shrug.

Leo: “That’s the mystery of the week.”

The chairman continued.

Chairman: “Specifically, the delay of the Zenith Project.”

Aria’s eyes widened.

That project again.

Kael finally spoke.

His voice calm.

Kael: “The delay was necessary.”

Board Member 2: “Necessary for what?”

Kael: “To prevent Orion from signing a contract that would bankrupt us.”

The room exploded with murmurs.

Board Member 3: “That’s an outrageous claim!”

Kael pressed a button on the table.

The large screen lit up.

Financial documents appeared.

Aria leaned forward.

Her brain immediately began scanning the numbers.

Something felt… wrong.

Very wrong.

Chairman: “These numbers are speculative.”

Kael looked directly at him.

Kael: “They’re verified.”

The chairman smirked.

Chairman: “And yet you delayed the project without board approval.”

He leaned back in his chair.

Chairman: “That is grounds for removal.”

Aria’s stomach tightened.

The chairman turned to the other members.

Chairman: “All those in Favor of removing Mr. Voss as CEO - ”

Suddenly Aria stood up.

The entire room looked at her.

Including Kael.

Her brain screamed why did you do that.

But her mouth kept going.

Aria: “Those numbers are wrong.”

The chairman frowned.

Chairman: “And you are?”

Aria: “Aria Vale.”

She pointed at the screen.

Aria: “These financial projections are missing a major cost factor.”

Kael watched her carefully.

Interested.

Board Member 1: “What cost factor?”

Aria walked closer to the screen.

Her confidence grew as she spoke.

Aria: “The licensing fee.”

The room went silent.

Aria: “If Orion signs the Zenith contract, the licensing clause will triple operational expenses within two years.”

Several board members began whispering.

One quickly checked the document.

His eyes widened.

Board Member 4: “She’s right.”

The chairman’s expression darkened.

Board Member 2: “That clause wasn’t included in the summary report.”

Aria crossed her arms.

Aria: “It’s buried on page 73.”

Leo muttered proudly.

Leo: “Chaos tornado strikes again.”

The room erupted in arguments.

Votes began shifting.

The chairman slammed his hand on the table.

Chairman: “This is irrelevant!”

But it was too late.

The momentum had changed.

Finally -

Board Member 1: “The removal vote is postponed.”

Aria exhaled slowly.

Kael remained silent.

Watching her.

The meeting ended in chaos.

Board members slowly left the room.

When the doors finally closed -

Aria turned toward Kael.

Aria: “I might have made things worse.”

Kael walked toward her.

Slowly.

Then stopped in front of her.

For a moment he said nothing.

Then - He laughed.

Aria blinked.

Aria: “Why are you laughing?”

Kael: “Because you just saved my job.”

She crossed her arms.

Aria: “Accidentally.”

Kael: “I don’t think so.”

Leo walked in dramatically.

Leo: “Well, congratulations Aria.”

Aria: “For what?”

Leo grinned.

Leo: “You just made a lot of powerful enemies.”

Before Aria could respond - The boardroom door opened again.

A man walked in slowly.

Older with Sharp eyes.

Dangerous presence.

Kael’s expression changed immediately.

Cold.

Aria looked between them.

Aria: “…Who is that?”

The man smiled faintly.

Unknown Man: “Hello, Kael.”

Kael’s voice dropped.

Kael: “Uncle.”

Aria’s heart skipped.

The same name.

The same person.

The mysterious man from the parking garage suddenly appeared behind him.

And pointed directly at her.

Parking Garage Man:

“That’s the girl I told you about.”

The uncle’s eyes slowly moved toward Aria.

Then he smiled.

A very dangerous smile.

Uncle: “So… you’re the one interfering with my plans.”