Leather binder.
Expression unreadable.
She looked directly at Madison.
“Chairwoman Parker.”
The word entered the elevator like an explosion without sound.
“The board is ready.”
Olivia glanced past her at the six executives.
Then back at Madison.
“Would you like HR counsel present for the next agenda item?”
Gregory’s mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Richard’s coffee slipped from his hand and hit the elevator floor.
Dark liquid splashed across Italian leather shoes.
He did not move.
Katherine stared at Madison as though the image in front of her refused to match reality.
Victoria covered her mouth.
Bradley whispered:
“Oh, God.”
Helena grabbed the elevator rail.
Madison stepped out.
“Not yet, Olivia.”
“Understood.”
She walked down the hallway.
Portraits lined both sides.
Former Whitman chairmen.
Every one male.
Every one white.
Gold frames.
Dark suits.
Inherited certainty.
Madison passed all of them.
At the end of the corridor, Olivia opened two mahogany doors.
The boardroom contained twelve directors.
Six appointed through Sterling.
Six legacy Whitman directors retained under the transition structure.
They stood when Madison entered.
“Chairwoman Parker.”
Madison walked to the head of the table.
The chair there was larger than the others.
Dark leather.
Brass rivets.
For generations, someone named Whitman had occupied it.
Madison pulled it out.
Sat.
Placed her portfolio on the table.
Then looked toward the six executives clustered near the door.
“Mr. Whitman.”
Gregory swallowed.
“Ms. Anderson.”
Katherine lowered her eyes.
“Mr. Wilson.”
Bradley shifted.
“Ms. Davis.”
Victoria’s face was wet.
“Mr. Brown.”
Richard stared at the floor.
“Ms. Moore.”
Helena remained rigid.
Madison gestured toward six chairs against the wall.
“Please sit.”
Not at the board table.
Against the wall.
They obeyed.
Gregory found his voice first.
“Chairwoman Parker.”
“Yes?”
“There has been a terrible misunderstanding.”
Madison folded her hands.
“That is correct.”
Relief flashed across his face.
Then she continued.
“You had no idea who I was.”
The relief disappeared.
“For forty-eight minutes.”
Gregory opened his mouth.
Madison raised one hand.
“And that is the problem.”
Silence.
Richard leaned forward.
“It was banter.”
Madison looked toward Olivia.
“Play the lobby recording.”
A large screen lowered.
Helena’s expression changed.
“Madison—”
“Chairwoman Parker,” Olivia corrected.
Helena stopped.
The lights dimmed.
The lobby footage began.
High-definition.
Multiple camera angles.
Audio from security systems lawfully installed throughout the executive lobby.
Timestamp.
9:53.
Richard:
“The delivery entrance is around the back.”
Then Bradley:
“Does this look like a bus station?”