Chapter 5 - The Boardroom Coup
While my home life was transforming,
my empire was under attack.
The Board of Directors at Sterling Enterprises had noticed my absence.
They had seen the photos of me sitting on the floor.
They didn't see a father.
They saw a man losing his edge.
"David,
the investors are nervous,"
Frankie warned me in the car.
"They think you're distracted."
"Marcus Thorne is making a move for the chairmanship."
"He’s telling everyone you've had a breakdown."
I looked at the window,
watching the rain wash over the glass.
A year ago,
this would have sent me into a rage.
I would have spent the night planning Thorne’s destruction.
Now,
all I could think about was the way Leo had hummed earlier that morning.
A low,
soft sound that vibrated in his chest.
"Let them talk,"
I said.
"I have a meeting at three,"
Frankie reminded me.
"The quarterly review."
I walked into the boardroom at three-oh-five.
The air was thick with ambition and the scent of expensive cologne.
Marcus Thorne sat at the end of the table,
a smug smile on his face.
"David,
glad you could join us,"
he said,
his voice dripping with false concern.
"We were just discussing the leadership stability."
"We hear you've hired a...
maid...
to run your household?"
The other members chuckled,
avoiding my eyes.
I sat down,
but I didn't open my laptop.
I didn't present the charts.
"Her name is Savannah,"
I said,
the room falling silent.
"And she’s doing more for my family than any of you have done for this company."
"If you think my devotion to my son makes me weak,"
"then you don't know what strength is."
"Thorne,
if you want my chair,
take it."
"But know this,"
"while you're counting your dividends,"
"I'll be counting the smiles of my son."
I walked out,
leaving them stunned.
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It was the first time in my life I had felt truly powerful.
Because I finally knew what I was willing to lose.
