CHAPTER 67

Philip sat in his office, the weight of recent events pressing heavily on his shoulders. The loss of Barry Aton was still fresh, and the revelation about Jessica being his cousin had shaken him to his core. He hadn’t slept much since then, the memories of his relationship with Jessica mixing painfully with the new knowledge of their blood ties.

The board meeting was just an hour away, and Philip knew that his leadership would be scrutinized more than ever. The investors were already nervous, and with Andrew Lane’s persistent attempts to take over, Aton Empire was on shaky ground. Philip needed to be at his best, but the emotional turmoil inside him made it hard to focus.

He glanced at the pile of reports on his desk, each one demanding his attention. The company was losing ground, and without decisive action, it could all fall apart. But the thought of facing the board, of dealing with the men who would question his every move, made him feel like he was about to step into a lion’s den