Chapter 3 - The Boardroom Summoning
"No, let her speak, Alexander," I said, my voice cutting through the tense air like a razor. "I want to hear all about this partnership."
Before Camila could double down on her arrogance, the heavy double doors at the far end of the executive suite swung open. Arthur Vance—senior managing board member and head of the compensation committee—stepped out into the hallway, followed by three other directors.
Arthur stopped when he saw the tableau in the hallway: Alexander sweating profusely, Camila looking smugly defiant, and me standing quietly in my navy dress.
"Ah, Mrs. Montalvo," Arthur boomed, offering a warm, respectful smile that made Camila’s eyes widen in absolute horror. "The board has been reviewing your operational handover notes from the Chicago plant. Outstanding work, as always. Are you ready to take your seat at the head of the conference table?"
Camila stumbled backward, her shoulder hitting the glass wall of the office. "Mrs... Mrs. Montalvo?" she choked out, looking at Alexander as if seeing a ghost. "What is he talking about?"
Alexander couldn't even look at her. He stared at the floor, his entire career flashing before his eyes.
I looked at Arthur and nodded calmly. "Thank you, Arthur. Let's go in. There are a few urgent compliance matters we need to address before we open the floor to the regional directors."
I turned and began walking down the corridor toward the grand glass-walled boardroom.
"Evelyn, wait!" Alexander cried out, chasing after me like a desperate dog. "Please, just five minutes! We can resolve this between us! You can't bring the board into our personal life!"
"This isn't personal anymore, Alexander," I said, not slowing my pace for a second. "When corporate funds are funneled into personal luxuries and executive abuse runs rampant under your direct supervision, it becomes a federal compliance violation."
As I reached the threshold of the boardroom, I paused and looked back at Camila, who was standing frozen in the middle of the hallway, her face completely drained of color, staring down at the white ceramic watch on her wrist as if it were burning her skin.
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"And as for the service elevator," I added smoothly, "don't worry, Camila. You won't have to worry about anyone dirtying up the executive car anymore."
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