Chapter 5 - Cracks Beneath the Glass Tower
Monday morning arrived with unusual tension.
Executives from every department filled the top-floor boardroom.
No agenda had been distributed.
No financial reports had been requested.
Even veteran managers whispered among themselves.
Daniel adjusted his expensive tie confidently.
"If this is another compliance meeting," he joked, "let's finish before lunch."
Nobody laughed this time.
The atmosphere felt different.
Outside the boardroom, Arthur Vance slowly stepped out of a private elevator, accompanied by two members of the Board of Directors and the company's chief legal counsel.
Employees straightened immediately.
Many had never seen Arthur in person.
Despite his age, his presence silenced an entire hallway.
Inside the room, conversations stopped.
Arthur entered without greeting anyone.
He simply took his seat at the head of the table.
His expression revealed nothing.
The legal counsel distributed sealed folders to every executive.
"Do not open them yet."
Daniel exchanged confused looks with Claire.
Then Arthur finally spoke.
"For several months, I have conducted an independent assessment of this company's leadership."
Every executive looked uneasy.
Arthur continued.
"What I discovered concerns me more than declining profits ever could."
No charts appeared.
No sales reports.
No quarterly projections.
Instead, the conference room lights dimmed.
A large screen illuminated the wall.
The title on the first slide contained only six words.
Leadership Integrity Evaluation — Confidential
Daniel frowned.
He had never heard of such a review.
Arthur folded his hands.
"Before we discuss numbers, I would like everyone here to meet the individual responsible for this assessment."
The doors at the back of the boardroom slowly opened.
High heels echoed across the silent room.
Daniel turned casually toward the entrance—
—and the color immediately drained from his face.
Standing in the doorway, holding the same leather folder no one had bothered to open, was Margaret Hale.
May you like
She looked exactly as she had during the interview.
Only this time, every member of the Board stood to welcome her.
