Regrets - Chapter Thirty One
Nicole is ready as the board gathers for the CEO vote in "Opening Salvos", and Elizabeth is surprised by who is in the room.
Wednesday - Week 3
(part 1 of 3)
Opening Salvos - Nicole
The tension outside the boardroom had the weight of a ceremony, staged, silent, and sharp-edged.
Nicole stood near the glass wall overlooking the courtyard, coffee in hand, watching as the rest of the group assembled in twos and threes like pieces drifting into place. She wore navy slacks and a cropped neutral jacket, with her ever-present gold necklace in place. It was calm, competent and intentional armor for a day that would be both blood sport and legacy trial.
To her right, Lorraine moved like a stage manager, checking that the water carafes were full and the nameplates set correctly. “You look ready,” she murmured as she passed Nicole. “Don’t blink.”
Nicole smiled faintly. “Not planning on it.”
Elizabeth Templeton appeared next, sharp in cream and silver, lips pursed the moment her eyes locked on Alexis Blackwell standing near the far window. Her surprise flickered fast, but not fast enough.
Alexis looked right through her. She stood poised in a graphite-gray wrap dress, simple jewelry, and soft curls. If Elizabeth expected her to blink, she was disappointed.
Nicole didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Not to Alexis. Not yet.
Instead, it was Charles Scott who approached Alexis, smile disarming as always. “Alexis Blackwell.” He reached out to shake her hand. “Long time. You were sharper than anyone in the room then, and you still look like someone about to vote down the patriarchy.”
“Just warming up,” Alexis said. “The real sport hasn’t started yet.”
He smiled broadly and nodded toward a woman standing nearby with a tablet in hand. “And have you met Suzanne Huntington yet? Smartest person in the room who isn’t you.” Suzanne looked up and she and Alexis shared a wordless recognition, the nod of smart women trained to see through performance.
Nicole watched them all. Aaron had yet to arrive, but the space was beginning to crowd.
Rick Chambers moved like a man attending his own coronation, smiling too much, clasping hands with the old guard like he was making promises for the future. David Lin and Paul Kravitz from Manufacturing followed, muttering to each other with quiet urgency. Eleanor Roth, original investor and old money, air-kissed Elizabeth and took her seat with perfect posture. Helena Price from the Government Regulatory group moved efficiently, nodding to Nicole with a subtle glance that said I’m watching.
Frank Geller from Legal stood apart, flipping through the morning’s printout like he was waiting to rule on a case. James Scott joined his sons, Mitchell and Charles, murmuring something that made Mitchell frown and Charles grin. Miller Patel from the International Division hovered near the door, expression cool, clearly waiting to see who drew first blood.
Nicole sipped her coffee.
Aaron Scott entered sharp as ever, clocking the room in one pass before his eyes settled on Nicole. He crossed to her with a practiced smile and leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
“Appearances,” he whispered, while he touched her hand. His smile widened as he stepped back. “Didn’t want to interrupt earlier. You looked busy.”
Nicole let him have this for now. “You’re always so considerate.”
He smiled and joined Elizabeth and a few of the old guard on the other side of the room.
Jim Watmore stepped forward, clearing his throat. “Boardroom’s ready. Voting members, let’s begin.”
Nicole didn’t miss the way her mother scanned the group and blinked at Alexis.
Elizabeth’s voice cut sharp. “Excuse me, what is Ms. Blackwell doing here? She’s not counsel today, is she?”
Jim stepped in before Nicole could answer. “She’s here as a voting board member. The shares Robert assigned to her have been reviewed and certified. She has full voting rights.”
Elizabeth’s nostrils flared. “That’s absurd…Robert would never…”
Jim handed her a slim packet. “Appendix three, Chairwoman. You signed the validation yourself last quarter.”
A few old guard members stirred. Charles coughed into a smirk.
Helena smiled, just barely. “Shall we?”
The group began to file in.
Nicole fell in step behind the others, her gaze catching Alexis’s for half a second. Nothing visible passed between them. But the war had already started.
Inside, the long boardroom table gleamed under the recessed lighting. Lorraine moved smoothly between seats, placing final copies of the updated agenda and ensuring every nameplate was properly aligned.
As people took their places, Elizabeth halted just inside the door.
She turned toward Jim, her voice clipped. “Aaron will be sitting in with me today. He’s acting as my counsel.”
Before Jim could respond, Frank Geller raised a hand. “Point of order, Mrs. Templeton. If outside counsel is not pre-approved on the agenda, we must vote to allow participation.”
Elizabeth barely blinked. “I’m not requesting participation. Just presence.”
Geller didn’t yield. “Then he does not speak. He does not advise. He observes only.”
Aaron looked like he wanted to object but was smart enough not to.
Sam Huntington spoke next, from his seat near the end. “If she gets someone sitting in her ear, I want the same consideration. My daughter stays.”
A few murmurs rose. Elizabeth opened her mouth, then hesitated, clearly unsure what Suzanne even did.
Charles leaned into his brother, his voice in a low stage whisper, “She’s a data analyst. MIT. Maybe more useful than Aaron, but who’s counting?”
Nicole, standing behind her chair, lifted a hand slightly. “It’s fine. If we’re voting today, I want full transparency. They can both stay.”
Elizabeth looked displeased.
Nicole smiled softly. “Unless someone here has something to hide?”
No one answered. Chairs shifted. The balance of power, however subtle, was already slipping.