The boardroom felt different long before the meeting officially began, and Adrian noticed it the moment he stepped through the doors, conversations stopped, eyes shifted away, and people who had once greeted him immediately now remained seated.
The change was subtle, but it was impossible to miss. For years, his presence had controlled every room he entered. People adjusted themselves around him without thinking. Executives measured their words carefully. Board members waited for his opinions before expressing their own.
Today, nobody looked intimidated; they looked prepared. Adrian walked to his seat at the head of the table and placed a leather folder on the polished surface. Around him sat twelve board members; some avoided eye contact, and others met his gaze directly, and that was new.
Marcus took the chair beside him. "The attendance is complete," Marcus said quietly.
Adrian nodded.
