Chapter 2

The emergency board meeting was called for the next morning.

Innovatech's main conference room buzzed with a nervous energy I could feel even before Mike wheeled me in.

Jessica stood beside the chairman's seat, radiant in a power suit, Marcus at her side, his hand possessively on her waist.

They were already acting like they owned the place.

The loyal board members, like David Miller, looked confused, concerned.

Others, the ones Marcus had clearly bought, wore smug, expectant expressions.

"Good morning, everyone," Marcus began, his voice booming with false confidence. "As you know, Alex has been through a terrible ordeal."

He gestured vaguely in my direction.

"Due to his... incapacitation, and with his full written consent, there's been a change in leadership."

He paused for dramatic effect, his eyes sweeping the room.

"I, Marcus Thorne, am the new CEO of Innovatech Solutions. And Jessica Vance will be my executive advisor."

He pulled Jessica closer, planting a long, theatrical kiss on her lips.

Gasps rippled through the room.

David Miller shot to his feet. "What is the meaning of this, Marcus? Alex, are you aware of this?"

I remained silent, my face a mask of pained confusion, just as we'd rehearsed.

Mike stood behind my wheelchair, stoic, unreadable.

Jessica, detaching herself from Marcus, laughed, a high, brittle sound.

"Oh, David, don't be so dramatic. Alex signed everything over. He understands his limitations now."

The bribed faction murmured their support. "A necessary change." "For the good of the company."

Alex Sterling, the innovator, the leader, was now just a broken man in a chair.

That' s what they wanted everyone to believe.

And for a little while longer, I would let them.