Later That Morning – NEXA Headquarters
The elevator dinged as Ana stormed out, heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. Her hair was still a little tousled from the rush, and her blouse slightly wrinkled, but her expression was ice-cold focus. One hand clutched her bag tightly the contract inside felt like a weapon.
Rachel ran to meet her halfway. "They're already in the boardroom Jess is presenting."
Ana didn't even slow down. "Let her. I'll handle the rest."
She pushed open the double doors of the executive boardroom with a force that drew every eye in the room to her.
Jess stood at the front of the room, a confident smile on her lips, gesturing toward the slide behind her showing Stanley Corporation's logo. Several suited investors sat across the table three from Stanley Corp, and the rest board members from NEXA.
"Ana," Jess said sharply, blinking. "You're late. I was just finishing up. Stanley Corporation has offered us a solid investment deal. They're ready to commit immediately if we "
"Stop." Ana's voice cut through the air like a blade.
Everyone paused.
Jess raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
Ana walked to the front of the room with calm precision and set her bag down on the table. "You should've waited. This project is under my management, Jess. As a manager, you're supposed to submit any proposals like this to me first before acting on them. This isn't just procedure it's respect."
Jess's face flushed. "You weren't here. I was trying to save the deal. You vanished"
"I didn't vanish," Ana snapped. "I was working. And what I brought back makes Stanley Corporation's offer look like pocket change."
The tension in the room thickened.
Jess folded her arms. "Oh really?"
Ana pulled the FUSIONX contract from her bag and held it up, her voice steady and loud. "Last night, I secured an exclusive partnership with FUSIONX. Not just investment partnership. They're not throwing money at us. They're backing us, long-term. And not just the company. They're backing the projects I lead this project."
Gasps and murmurs spread around the room. One of the board members leaned forward, squinting at the contract. "Is that real?"
Ana nodded. "Signed by their CEO himself. Only my signature remains. If we agree to this, we're not just getting capital. We're aligning ourselves with one of the most powerful tech groups in the country."
She turned slightly, her eyes locked onto Jess. "So yes, I appreciate the effort, but from now on, stick to your department and route all decisions through the proper chain of command. That means me."
Jess looked like she'd been slapped. Her mouth opened, then closed. Then, without another word, she grabbed her folder and stormed out, her heels echoing her frustration down the hall.
Ana turned to the Stanley Corp investors, who were visibly unsettled.
"I understand you came here in good faith," Ana said smoothly, walking toward them with a polite smile. "And we do appreciate that. But given the current direction of our strategy and the caliber of the partnership we've just secured it would be irresponsible of us to accept your offer. I hope you understand."
The lead Stanley rep looked tense but composed. He gave a tight nod. "We understand. We'll be taking our leave."
The group stood and filed out with cool professionalism, but their stiff backs and curt nods revealed their bruised egos.
As the door shut behind the Stanley group, silence reigned for a few heartbeats.
Ana turned back to face the board, straightening her blouse and squaring her shoulders. She placed the FUSIONX contract carefully on the table, sliding it toward the board members.
"This partnership gives us a wider tech ecosystem to work within—FUSIONX's infrastructure, their AI labs, and their R&D wing. This isn't a donation. It's a long-term collaboration that puts us on the map."
The board members exchanged looks. One of them, Mr. Harwood, adjusted his tie and gave her a long, unreadable stare. "Impressive, Vice President Gilbert. Though next time, we expect more transparency. It's not standard for a VP to initiate deals of this magnitude without prior board consultation."
"Yes, sir," Ana said respectfully. "I had no intention of bypassing protocol. The offer came up unexpectedly, and I had to act fast before we lost the opportunity. I intended to present it today, as soon as possible."
Ms. Leigh leaned forward slightly, glancing down at the contract, then up at Ana. "FUSIONX has a strict vetting process. How exactly did this fall into place so quickly?"
Ana hesitated for the briefest moment. Ethan's name echoed in her mind. His hands on her shoulders. His warmth. The contract on the drawer.
She straightened. "We've been discussing potential investment frameworks for a while now. I followed up directly, and after presenting our projected data and growth strategy, the CEO agreed. The contract is very specific FUSIONX will only support projects I oversee."
That made several of the board members shift in their seats.
Mr. Caldwell, the oldest and most senior, leaned back and steepled his fingers. "So if you're reassigned, the contract is void."
"Yes," Ana confirmed.
Silence again.
Then Mr. Harwood exhaled. "That puts quite a bit of pressure on us to keep you in charge of this project."
And there it was—the unspoken balance of power tilting ever so slightly in her favor.
But it didn't last long.
Mr. Caldwell cleared his throat. "While this partnership is commendable, there is still the matter of your previous refusal."
Ana blinked. "Sir?"
"The China expansion," Ms. Leigh reminded her. "The board had selected you to oversee to."
Ana straightened, her mind already calculating the angles, preparing her response. She had anticipated this, but hearing it out loud, in front of the board, still struck a nerve.
"I'm aware of the decision regarding the China expansion," Ana replied evenly, her voice maintaining its controlled calm. "However, my decision remains the same. I've made it clear from the start that my focus is on NEXA's core markets and the projects under my direct management. Moving forward with that expansion would distract from our current trajectory, especially with the new partnership we're pursuing."
Mr. Caldwell narrowed his eyes, his voice stern. "This expansion was part of the company's growth strategy, Ana. You knew that when you took this position. You can't simply ignore a decision that's already been made."
Ana took a deep breath, maintaining eye contact with Caldwell. "I'm not ignoring it. I'm simply proposing a reevaluation of our priorities in light of new opportunities. FUSIONX's investment changes everything. We can leverage their network and infrastructure to make significant strides in the tech sector, positioning ourselves as a leader in innovation."
Ms. Leigh exchanged a glance with Mr. Harwood, but said nothing. The silence stretched as they weighed Ana's words, and she could feel the pressure mounting on her shoulders.
Finally, Mr. Caldwell spoke again, his tone measured but firm. "This is a significant shift, Ana. If you refuse the China project, it could affect your standing with the board. There are many who would see your reluctance as a failure to support the company's international growth."
Ana's jaw tightened. She had always known her refusal to oversee the expansion would come with consequences, but she had also known it was a line she couldn't cross. Her mind was set. She wasn't going to risk her vision for NEXA's future just to appease their outdated growth strategies.
"I am not refusing the company's international growth, Mr. Caldwell," she responded, her voice steady and firm. "I am offering an alternative—one that will allow us to expand in ways that are both sustainable and aligned with where the industry is headed. This is about evolving, not just expanding for the sake of it."
The tension in the room was palpable. The board members exchanged more glances, and for a moment, Ana thought they might argue further, but Mr. Harwood finally spoke, his tone softer but still authoritative.
"I think what we need is more clarity on how this partnership with FUSIONX will directly impact the bottom line. If we are to prioritize this new direction, we'll need to be certain of the financial implications."
Ana nodded, already prepared for this. She flipped open the folder in front of her and pulled out a detailed financial projection report, which she slid across the table. "I've already outlined the numbers. With FUSIONX's backing, we'll see a significant boost in R&D capacity, streamlined supply chains, and access to cutting-edge AI technologies. The projected ROI over the next two years will far surpass the benefits of an expansion into China."
Ms. Leigh glanced at the report before her gaze flicked back to Ana. "You've done your homework, I'll give you that."
The silence returned, but this time it felt different. More thoughtful. The board members were considering her proposal, weighing the numbers, the risks, and the potential rewards.
Finally, Mr. Caldwell spoke again, his voice less harsh. "We'll need time to review everything, Ana. The decision regarding the China expansion won't be made lightly."
Ana stood, offering a professional smile. "Of course. I trust you'll make the decision that best serves NEXA's future. But I'm confident in this direction."
With that, Ana turned to leave, the FUSIONX contract still in her hand, a symbol of the power she had just claimed. As the double doors shut behind her, she felt the weight of the room's scrutiny lift from her shoulders, replaced by the rush of adrenaline from the battle she had just won.
She stepped into the hallway, meeting Rachel's gaze. "Get me an update on the board's decision," she said briskly.
Rachel nodded, her eyes wide with admiration. "Of course. But... do you think they'll approve the new direction?"
Ana smirked, her voice steady. "i didn't give them much of an option. "