Jacques steps off the elevator in the Covington Tower in downtown Radcliffe, arriving on the twentieth floor—the home of the Covington Group. It doesn’t take long for him to notice several faces he doesn’t recognize, which he quickly assumes belong to board members. His fate rests in their hands. Among them, Courtney Covington Sullivan stands out in a long plaid dress that flatters her small frame, paired with black boots.

 

“D-day has officially arrived, hasn’t it?” Jacques greets her.

 

Courtney takes him in, aware that he’s still blaming himself for the incident—something she also shoulders, given that she’s the CEO and understands where responsibility lies, even though the company surveyor has already concluded neither of them is at fault.

 

“Maybe it won’t be so bad in there,” Courtney offers.

 

“Well, you clearly have more faith in people than I do,” Jacques replies. “But before this begins, allow me to say this properly—whatever the outcome today, I regret that I placed you and the company in such a perilous position. That was never my intention, and for that, I am truly sorry.”

 

Courtney can’t help but notice the decency in him—the same man she once shared a kiss with in his hotel room in Miami during a business trip. Still, she remains determined to recommit to her marriage to Steven,

 

“Courtney, I know this isn’t the time or the place to revisit what occurred between us,” Jacques adds.

 

She quickly cuts in. “I’ve decided to put it behind us and move forward.”

 

Jacques is visibly unsettled, though he knows he must do the same—emotionally with Emma, and by continuing his physical arrangement with Aaliyah for now.

 

Courtney shifts the subject. “So where is Emma?” she asks, referring to her aunt, his wife.

 

“She’s temporarily detained, but she intends to be here by my side,” Jacques replies.

 

Before he can say more, the elevator doors open again as Daniel and Deirdre step out.

 

Daniel surveys the space with a sense of nostalgia, grateful to be back in the company his father built. He still hopes—perhaps foolishly—that history won’t repeat itself as he approaches Courtney.

 

“Jacques, whether you mind or not, I’d like to have a few words with my daughter,” Daniel says—more a command than an offer.

 

Jacques turns to the woman to see if that’s what she wants. Courtney nods, giving him permission to step away.

 

“I hate that it’s come to this, for us to be in the same room,” Daniel tells her. “How are you?”

 

“I’ve been a lot better,” Courtney replies.

 

Their relationship has been strained ever since the board meeting where she abstained from voting—costing him the CEO position and resulting in her being voted in.

 

“If it’s any consolation,” Daniel continues, “I know what it’s like to be at the top and feel everything begin to collapse beneath you.”

 

Courtney scoffs lightly, recognizing the tactic for what it is, but she doesn’t take the bait.

 

Nearby, Tommy has just arrived as Deirdre smoothly sidles up to her youngest grandchild.

 

“It won’t be long now,” she whispers. “A wrong will finally be righted.”

 

She is the only one fully aware of her son’s and grandson’s plan to push her daughter’s husband out of the company her late husband, Patrick, founded.

 

Tommy does his best to stay composed. “With all due respect, I wouldn’t underestimate the board. Anything can happen in there, Grandmother.”

 

Deirdre tightens her grip on the clutch in her possession.

 

“Thomas, you’re a well-meaning young man,” she says matter-of-factly, “but you’re still naive about how the real world works. You’ll learn soon enough.”

 

Though Tommy tries not to let the remark get to him, his attention shifts back to his father and Courtney, whose exchange remains controlled but charged.

 

“I thought we could at least manage civility,” Courtney says coolly, “but I suppose that’s out of the question.”

 

At that moment, Tommy steps forward, positioning himself beside his sister while remaining squarely in his father’s view.

 

“I know a lot’s going on,” he says firmly, “but I won’t have you attacking her in front of everyone, Dad.”

Daniel exhales. “I apologize, that wasn’t my intent. Excuse me.”

 

He moves toward the boardroom, where several members have already taken their seats and word spreads that the meeting is about to begin.

 

Courtney glances at her younger brother. “Even though I can handle Dad, thank you for defending me.”

 

Tommy slips his hands into his pockets. “You’ve got enough on your plate. You don’t deserve anyone—especially him—breathing down your neck.”

 

“If there’s one person in that meeting I can rely on,” Courtney says, “it’s you, little bro.”

 

The weight of that statement settles on Tommy. He realizes that whatever happens next could have consequences not just for the company, but for the family as well.

 

They head into the expansive boardroom as directors and senior executives take their seats.

Ron Harper, the silver-haired chairman in his seventies, is impeccably groomed, broad-shouldered, and commanding.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,” he calls in a resonant baritone, “this meeting will come to order.”

 

The room stills.

 

“The purpose of today’s session is to determine whether executive Jacques Laurent should be removed from his position following the company’s investment in land that was later wetlands, rendering it unsuitable for commercial development.”

 

A few quiet shifts ripple through the room.

 

“This vote concerns fiduciary judgment and adherence to due-diligence standards,” Ron continues. “Before we proceed, Mr. Laurent, you may address the board if you wish.”

 

“Thank you,” Jacques says evenly. “Every decision I made regarding the Miami acquisition was guided by what I believed to be the company’s best interests. All evaluations were conducted in accordance with established protocols and professional assessments available at the time.”

 

He pauses, meeting the room head-on.

 

“I accept responsibility for the outcome. However, this was not an act of negligence, nor was it corruption. It was an unfortunate miscalculation—one I regret deeply—but not one made outside due diligence or good faith.”

 

His gaze flicks briefly toward Courtney, then back to the board.

 

“I understand the seriousness of the matter, and I respect that the final decision rests with you.”

 

Jacques takes his seat.

 

The silence that follows is heavy, punctuated by assessing stares fixed on him. Courtney is quietly moved by his restraint and accountability. Daniel and Deirdre make no effort to hide their disdain. Tommy remains carefully neutral, aware that whatever comes next, he helped bring them to this moment.