The executive boardroom on the top floor of the Vanguard tower was the epitome of corporate luxury. Huge glass windows overlooked the city skyline. Victoria Kline sat near the head of the long mahogany table, radiating absolute power. She was surrounded by senior board members and the CEO, Eleanor, ready to sign the papers to seal her promotion.
“The acquisition is flawless,” Victoria announced proudly, sliding the documents across the table. “This deal will secure our market dominance for the next decade. I will be honored to step into the CFO role.” Just as Eleanor reached for her pen, the heavy boardroom doors swung open.
Victoria didn’t look up immediately, expecting a secretary. But when she heard the slow, measured, and entirely confident footsteps approaching the table, she raised her head. Her jaw dropped, her expensive pen slipping from her fingers as her face lost all its color. Walking into the room, looking incredibly commanding in his bespoke charcoal suit, was Arthur Pendelton. “What on earth is this?” Victoria gasped, her voice cracking with sudden panic. “Eleanor, why is this senile old man here? He was fired from a grocery store last week for incompetence.”