JULIAN

The board meeting stretched for hours. All twelve members were present again, sitting around the long table with their coffee cups and notepads.

I presented the financial analysis David had compiled, the presentation was thorough, professional, and undeniable.

Charles Ashford studied the documents carefully, his old eyes sharp and focused. Patricia Wells looked skeptical. Robert seemed genuinely interested, asking detailed questions about Adrian's loan structure.

"So you're saying Adrian doesn't actually have eight hundred million in available capital," Robert said, looking at David's analysis.

"That's correct," David confirmed. "He has the funds available through borrowed money, but those loans require repayment. If the acquisition doesn't happen, those loans come...