"Can we begin?" he asked.
Victoria nodded.
Alexander walked to the head of the table and connected his laptop to the presentation screen.
"Today, we're discussing the acquisition of Northbridge Technologies," he announced. "This deal will transform Sterling Global and position us as the dominant player in the industry."
A slide appeared displaying projected profits, estimated market growth, and a proposed purchase price of $480 million.
Several executives nodded.
Alexander continued.
"The seller has agreed to our terms. We have already completed preliminary negotiations, and all that remains is final approval."
Victoria slowly opened her folder.
"Before anyone approves anything, I would like to discuss the financial records."
Alexander sighed.
"Here we go."
She ignored him.
"According to the documents submitted last week, Northbridge has outstanding liabilities that were not included in your valuation."
Alexander turned toward her.
"Those liabilities are being handled."
"By whom?"
"Our legal department."
"Which legal department?"
He frowned.
"Excuse me?"
Victoria removed three printed documents from her folder.
"The legal department has not authorized these transactions. In fact, the chief financial officer specifically requested that the acquisition be delayed until an independent audit could be completed."
The room became quiet.
Alexander's expression changed.
"That is not what I was told."
"Then perhaps you should start asking better questions."
A few executives lowered their eyes.
Alexander stepped away from the screen.
"You're making this unnecessarily complicated."
"No," Victoria replied calmly. "I'm making sure we don't spend nearly half a billion dollars buying a company whose reported financial position may be fraudulent."
His jaw tightened.
"Do you have any idea how difficult it is to move this company forward when every decision has to pass through someone who is terrified of change?"
Victoria looked directly at him.
"Change is not the problem, Alexander. Dishonesty is."
His face turned red.
"You should be careful about making accusations."
"And you should be careful about signing documents you haven't properly examined."
The meeting ended without an agreement.
But Alexander was not finished.
As the directors began collecting their papers, he approached Victoria's chair.
"We need to talk privately."
She closed her folder.
"If this concerns the acquisition, you can schedule another meeting."
"It concerns your attitude."
"My attitude?"
"You've been undermining me for months."
Victoria stood.
"I have been questioning decisions that could put thousands of employees at risk."
Alexander leaned closer.
"You don't understand how business works anymore."
Victoria studied him for a moment.
Then she picked up her folder and walked toward the door.
"Perhaps you should learn how it works before trying to teach me."
Alexander watched her leave.
For the first time that morning, he looked genuinely furious.
CHAPTER 3: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
At 10:30 a.m., Victoria returned to her private office.
Her assistant, Emily Carter, was waiting outside.
Emily was twenty-seven, intelligent, hardworking, and one of the few people in the building who knew Victoria's entire professional history.
"How did the meeting go?" Emily asked.
"About as well as expected."
Emily hesitated.
"Mr. Reed has been asking about you."
Victoria placed her folder on the desk.
"What does he want?"
"He asked security whether you had scheduled any meetings with the board chairman."
Victoria looked up.
"Did you tell him?"
"No. I told him I wasn't authorized to discuss your schedule."
"Good."
Emily lowered her voice.
"There's something else."
Victoria waited.