Chapter 23 A Deal in the Dark The tension in the air was palpable as Isla stepped into her office, the weight of the past few weeks pressing down on her shoulders. The battle with the board wasnt over, but she had won the last round. Her phone buzzed on her desk. She picked it up, seeing Nolans name flash across the screen. Tell me you have good news, she said, answering the call. There was a pause before his voice came through, low and serious. Meet me at the club in an hour. We need to talk. She frowned. Whats wrong? Just come, he said before hanging up. Isla exhaled sharply. Nolan wasnt the type to panic, which meant whatever he had to say was serious. She grabbed her coat and headed out. The club was dimly lit, its atmosphere thick with the scent of expensive liquor and leather. Isla spotted Nolan at a private booth, a glass of whiskey already in his hand. She slid into the seat across from him. He took a slow sip before setting his glass down. Caldwell isnt backing down. Hes making moves behind the scenes. She expected as much. What kind of moves? Nolans jaw tightened. Hes trying to get a motion passed to force a buyout. If he succeeds, youll be voted out. A flicker of anger sparked in her chest, but she kept her expression neutral. And how close is he to pulling it off? Close enough, Nolan admitted. Hes been making quiet deals, securing votes. She clenched her jaw. Then Ill secure more. Nolan studied her for a long moment. You cant do this alone, Isla. She leaned back, her gaze unwavering. I dont intend to. The next morning, Isla was already in motion. She met with the board members who werent fully aligned with Caldwell, carefully reinforcing why her leadership was essential. She played the long game, reminding them of their investments and the risks of instability. By noon, she had secured three critical votes. But it wasnt enough. She needed a trump card. That evening, Isla sat in her apartment, reviewing company records when a message popped up on her laptop. Anonymous: Check your email. Her brows furrowed. Moments later, an email appeared in her inbox with an attachment labeled Confidential: Caldwell Agreement. Her pulse quickened as she opened the document. It was a contractbetween Caldwell and a private firm. A firm that planned to dismantle parts of Whitmore Enterprises. A firm that had ties to Sophie Langley. A slow smirk played on Islas lips. Caldwell had just handed her the ammunition she needed. The next board meeting was electric with anticipation. Caldwell sat at the head of the table, his confidence radiating through the room. Before we proceed, Id like to address the motion regarding leadership transition. Isla remained silent, letting him speak. He continued, I believe Whitmore Enterprises would benefit from fresh leadership, and as such, I propose we bring in an external team Like Langleys firm? Isla interrupted smoothly. Caldwell faltered. Excuse me? She pulled out the printed contract and slid it across the table. Because according to this, youve already made that decision. Murmurs erupted as the board members leaned forward to read the document. Caldwells face drained of color. Where did you get this? She leaned in, her voice deadly calm. Doesnt matter. What matters is that youve been making deals behind closed doors. Deals that dont benefit this companyonly you. A long silence stretched across the room. Finally, one of the senior board members spoke. Is this true, Caldwell? He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Isla stood. I move to dismiss Caldwell from the board, effective immediately. A vote was cast. And just like that, Caldwell was out. As she walked out of the meeting room, Nolan caught up with her. Impressive, he admitted. She smirked. I told youI dont lose. But deep down, she knew the game wasnt over. In a romance-themed observation show, several participants undergo a series of interactions and conflicts filled with love, misunderstandings, and power struggles. In the end, one couple rises to over...