Chapter 5: The Humbling of a King
Three weeks passed. The boardroom of Horizon Global—now rebranded as *Vance-Sterling Innovations*—smelled of polished mahogany and fresh beginnings.
I walked into the executive suite wearing a tailored midnight-blue maternity suit. The board of directors, men who had previously dismissed me as Tyler’s quiet, homemaking wife, stood up immediately, bowing their heads in deep respect.
"Good morning, gentlemen," I said, taking my seat at the head of the table. "Today, we liquidate all vanity projects. We are redirecting thirty percent of our tech patents toward developing low-cost clean water filtration systems for underdeveloped communities."
"Madam Chair," Jonathan Sterling said, leaning forward. "There is one administrative matter. Mr. Tyler Hayes is downstairs in the lobby. He has been sitting there for six hours, begging for five minutes of your time."
I paused, looking out at the city skyline. "Send him up."
When Tyler entered the boardroom, he looked unblemished by luxury and hollowed out by reality. His white designer shirt was wrinkled and stained; his eyes were sunken with dark purple rings. He hadn't shaved in days.
He didn't look like the ruthless prince who had kicked my suitcase down the stairs. He looked like an empty shell.
"Elena," he choked out, his voice cracking. "Please. Just listen to me."
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"Sit down, Tyler," I said evenly. "You have three minutes."
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