Chapter 39

Stefan stared at the empty boardroom seats, his hands shaking as he reached for another glass of water. The morning's board meeting felt like a firing squad, twelve angry faces demanding explanations he did "The numbers are disastrous," Andrew Parker, head of the finance committee, sald coldly. "Sixty-

two percent stock drop. Major contracts vanishing. Suppliers backing out. And you still can't tell us what's happening?" "I've had every analyst working around the clock," Stefan replied, hating the weakness in h multiple directions. Every time we plug one hole, three more appear.”

"Attacks?" Parker's laugh held no warmth. "Or just incompetence?"

Other board members muttered in agreement. Three hours of defending himself, showing reports, promising solutions –

none of it mattered. They wanted his head.

"A vote has been called," Thomas Chen announced, his voice heavy with false regret. "On the immediate removal of Stefan Rodriguez as Chief Executive Officer of Rodriguez Shipping International."

Stefan's stomach turned to ice. This wasn't happening. The company had survived world wars, countless crises. Now it was crumbling and he couldn't even identify the enemy. "All in favor..."

Cconomic crashes.

The boardroom doors flew open. Eduardo Rodriguez filled the doorway, commanding attention without speaking a word. Stefan had never been so grateful to see his father. "This meeting is suspended," Eduardo announced, moving to the head of the table. "By authority of the family's controlling shares."

Parker stood, face flushed. "Mr. Rodriguez, with respect, the board has authority to..."

"The board has what authority I permit it to have." Eduardo's voice could have frozen fire. "Right now, I'm permitting you all to leave while I speak with my son." Nobody moved.

eyes swept the room "Out. All

that promised this wasn't finished. When the

son

words cut deep. "But

targeting us. Every move we make, they're three steps ahead. It's like they know our playbook better than we do." "Because

to the window. "Too focused

to do

everything to do with it." Eduardo turned,

cracked. "Please don't bring her into

not? She understood business. Understood loyalty. Then she

to her sister?" His father's eyes

knew the truth about Camille about what really happened that night... "The board wants you gone," Eduardo continued. "They're not wrong. You've

looked up, confused,

voice softened slightly. "Despite everything, you're my blood.

flickered faintly. "One

what's left. To prove you deserve the Rodriguez name." His father's

There always were with Eduardo

"What conditions?"

postpone this wedding circus. No

Rose wouldn't like it, but she'd

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