Hours later, when I finally left the boardroom, I felt different. I was no longer overwhelmed or intimidated when I stared at the executives. I had given out a final speech and the room had emptied immediately after.

The tension still clung tightly to the air, and no one dared to challenge me again, especially after they saw what had happened to the last man who did. It was only after everyone had left the boardroom that I stood up and walked outside.

“Ms. Gold,” a soft voice called from beside me.

I stopped, turned around and came face to face with a young neatly dressed assistant who was holding...