Chapter 2 - The Silent Exit
I did not scream. I did not shed a single tear.
I took a slow, deep breath, reached into my purse, and pulled out a clean linen handkerchief. I wiped a drop of green liquid from my chin, turned on my heel, and stepped back into the executive elevator.
Chloe watched me through the closing glass doors, her hand resting on her hip, tapping the face of the white limited-edition watch against her fingernails.
"Have a nice day, intern!" she called out, her voice dripping with triumph as the doors sealed shut.
As the elevator descended toward the parking garage, I pulled out my phone. My hands were perfectly steady.
I dialed a direct line.
"Madam CEO," the voice on the other end answered instantly. It was Arthur Pendelton, the senior chairman of the global parent board that held eighty percent of the company's voting shares.
"Arthur," I said quietly. "Cancel the 10:00 AM welcome gala."
There was a brief silence on the line. "Is something wrong, Evelyn? The board members have already arrived from London."
"Nothing is wrong," I replied, staring at my reflection in the elevator glass—dripping, stained, but entirely unbroken. "I have simply decided to perform a personal audit before taking my seat at the head of the table. Have legal prepare a full freeze on all executive discretionary funds, effective immediately."
May you like
"Consider it done," Arthur said without hesitation. "And President Julian?"
"Let him enjoy his morning," I said, stepping out into the garage toward my waiting sedan. "It will be his last."
