Chapter 12 - THE BOARDROOMVictoria Blackwood faced her company's board of directors.
The meeting was tense.
The canceled launch had damaged the company's reputation.
Several buyers had withdrawn.
Investors were demanding answers.
Marcus presented the financial consequences.
Then the board chair turned toward Victoria.
“What happened?”
Victoria hesitated.
“There was a disagreement with the designer.”
The chair frowned.
“What kind of disagreement?”
Victoria looked down.
Marcus spoke carefully.
“The designer was helping at a restaurant. Mrs. Blackwood didn't recognize her.”
Silence filled the room.
The chair stared.
“Continue.”
Marcus hesitated.
“An argument occurred.”
Victoria interrupted.
“It was a misunderstanding.”
The chair looked at her.
“Did you throw money at her?”
Victoria froze.
The chair continued.
“Did you demand that she be fired?”
Victoria said nothing.
Marcus lowered his eyes.
The chair leaned back.
“Victoria, you didn't lose this partnership because of a misunderstanding.”
A pause.
“You lost it because of your behavior.”
May you like
Victoria looked away.
For the first time in years, nobody in the room rushed to defend her.
