David stood in his office, the city lights casting a golden glow over the room. His reflection in the glass was sharp, resolute, and unyielding, a silent reminder of the man he had become. Ruth was moving aggressively, leveraging her alliance with Margaret Langston to salvage her crumbling empire. Yet David knew one truth: desperation often bred mistakes. And mistakes were opportunities.Mary entered the room with her usual efficiency, carrying a tablet. “David, the full report on Margaret Langston just came in. She’s focused on building a narrative of Ruth’s resilience. A series of media campaigns are scheduled to roll out starting tomorrow.”David turned, his expression unreadable. “Let me guess. A redemption arc? The struggling CEO who refuses to give up?”Mary nodded. “Exactly. They’re playing heavily into Ruth’s reputation as a fighter. The goal is to reassure investors and rally her workforce.”David’s lips curved into a faint smile. “A bold strategy, but one that leaves her vul

The tension in David’s office was palpable. The stakes had escalated dramatically, and every move he made now felt like he was walking a tightrope over a bottomless pit. Ruth’s unexpected retaliation through Tillman had sent ripples of unease through Blackwood Enterprises, but David knew he couldn’t afford to let it show. Any sign of weakness would only embolden Ruth further.Mary entered the room, her face calm but her movements deliberate as she placed a report on his desk. “This just came in,” she said, her tone clipped. “Our analysts have compiled a list of assets Ruth has shifted in the past 48 hours. She’s liquidating some secondary properties to regain liquidity.”David picked up the file, flipping through the pages with a critical eye. “She’s consolidating,” he muttered, half to himself. “She’s tightening her grip on her core operations. Smart.”Mary raised an eyebrow. “Do we have a counter move?”David’s lips curled into a cold smile. “We do. But first, I need to remind Tillm