CHAPTER 10: The Board Meets on Asphalt

The emergency meeting did not happen under mahogany, glass, or catered coffee.
It happened beside Everett's old sedan, under parking lot lamps, with the founder's son in denim and the interim chair clutching a purse full of papers nobody trusted anymore.
Marlene Ruiz asked the first question.
"Is the continuity trust active?"
The compliance director checked the registration card, then the scanned order on her tablet.
"Active as of the founder's death. Triggered tonight by access to secured vehicle storage."
Thomas Bell closed his eyes briefly. Noah could not tell whether it was relief or shame.
Adrienne found her voice.
"This is theater. He has no management experience."
Marlene looked at Noah's jacket, then at Adrienne's untouched hands.
"He worked three winters on the loading docks before he turned twenty," she said. "That is more management experience than most people in our meetings."
Noah did not thank her. He only felt something inside him steady, like an old engine finally catching.