Chapter 22: Under Pressure

Kelan Benedict paced the length of the lavish boardroom, his fingers tapping nervously against his thigh. He was scheduled to meet with Board Chairman Turner any minute, but his mind was elsewhere.

The so-called successes he had proudly touted to Zadok yesterday felt increasingly hollow, especially now that he had a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach. His father’s expectations loomed large over him, a shadow that was impossible to ignore.

The door creaked open, and Chairman Turner entered, his usually stern face softened by a faint, perfunctory smile. “Kelan,” Turner greeted him, extending a hand.

“Chairman,” Kelan replied, shaking his hand with what he hoped was a confident grip. He gestured for Turner to take a seat, but before either of them could sit, Kelan’s phone buzzed in his pocket. The screen flashed with the name "Gregor Benedict," and Kelan felt his chest tighten.

“Excuse me for just a moment,” Kelan said, forcing a smile as he stepped away to take the call in the ne