Zara's POV

The boardroom fell silent after my father dropped the bomb, so much so that the only thing sounding was the ticking of the clock and the swaying of the crystal chandeliers above us.

"She would lead us?"

"Where did she even come from?"

"What does she know?"

I could read these questions all over the faces of the Board members as they turned their heads uncomfortably. Backs stiffened, expressions shifted, and distorted.

Their scrutinizing gaze could almost make one wish the ground would open up to receive them, but I stood tall.

Madilyn, still frozen in her seat, parted her lips as though she were disappointed in my...