Outside, the headlights of a black luxury sedan illuminated the long driveway. Two uniformed security officers stepped out, accompanied by Arthur himself, holding a sleek leather briefcase. The doorbell rang twice, precise and authoritative.

Arthur entered the dining room, nodding respectfully toward me. “Good evening, Chairwoman. The operational freeze is complete. Security is outside to oversee the transition of company property, and the legal notices have been served.”

Brendan dropped into his chair, burying his face in his hands as the reality of his total ruin set in. Diane tried to speak, but no words came out as Arthur presented her with the formal notice of contract termination.

I walked past them without looking back, stepping out into the cool evening air toward the waiting vehicle. The power they thought they held over me had vanished in less than ten minutes, replaced by the quiet strength I had possessed all along.