Chapter 183

ELORA’S POV The reaction I’m getting right now…well, I expected it. Walking back into a company that never once truly acknowledged my existence was never going to be easy. I knew that much. The stares, the tension in the air, the way their eyes skim over me like I’m an inconvenience they’re forced to tolerate…I prepared myself for this the second I decided to step into Lucian’s place. Still, being prepared for it doesn’t make it hurt less. “With due respect, ma’am,” one of the older board members says, folding his hands together like he’s already decided the outcome of this meeting. “We find this… difficult to accept. We all know how your relationship with the chairman ended before you left this company. Taking over now without a word from him is unacceptable.” A murmur of agreement ripples around the table. Another man clears his throat. “And as of now, you’re the president of Hale’s Technology. A company that happens to be our direct rival. We can’t simply ignore that conflict.” I ho