The boardroom was silent, but not the normal kind. It pressed against the walls, seeped into the chairs, thick enough to choke anyone who dared speak. Even the air seemed to wait.
Not the normal kind.
This silence pressed. It settled into the walls, into the chairs, into the people seated around the long table. It wasn't empty—it was waiting.
At the head of the table, Dorian sat.
Mr. Chairman.
He didn't speak immediately. Didn't look at anyone. His attention rested on the file in front of him, fingers tapping lightly against the surface.
Once.
Twice.
The sound echoed.
No one moved.
"Funds assigned to the Nomad Beauty contract," he said at last, voice low, controlled, "were diverted."
A pause.
"I hate theft."
Across the table, someone swallowed hard.
Anthony closed the file.
Soft.
Final.
"I hate betrayal more."
Now he looked up.
And just like that, the room felt smaller.
The man at the far end broke first.
"Sir—I can explain—" he said cold sweat forming in his head
"Can you?" Anthony asked calmly.
The man's words died.
"I trusted you," Anthony continued. "That was your only advantage."the director was one of the few directors Dorian actually trusted
Silence tightened.
"And now," he added, "it's gone."
He leaned back slightly.
"Take him."
The guards moved instantly.
The man struggled now, panic rising too late. "Please—I've been with you for years—you can't do this—!"he cried as he was being dragged on the floor kicking and struggling
Anthony didn't react.
He didn't even watch
"That will be all" he said and stood up the director s rising almost immediately
He strolled out his assistant closely behind him
The doors closed behind them.
The meeting was over.