Nadia didn't flinch.
Not at the vicious whispers that followed her.
Not at the smug gleam in Sara's eyes as she led the way to the shareholders' meeting room.
Not even at the heavy silence that greeted her the moment she stepped inside.
It was thick. Oppressive.
Men in expensive suits and sharp gazes turned toward her, their expressions ranging from cold indifference to open hostility.
Her father, Zafir Al-Fayed, sat at the head of the long conference table, his face carefully neutral—but she saw the tension in his jaw, the way his fingers drummed once against the polished wood.
Beside him, several of the senior shareholders were already engaged in heated debate.
"—reckless decision-making—"
"—completely irresponsible—"
"—this company is crumbling, and it's because of her!"
Nadia's eyes flickered to Kareem Aslan.
Seated near the center of the table, he exuded an air of effortless confidence, his custom-tailored suit impeccable, a knowing smirk playing at his lips.
Sara slid smoothly into the chair beside him, her posture relaxed, almost casual as if she were watching a show she had orchestrated.
Nadia's stomach turned.
They were enjoying this.
Watching the once-mighty Al-Fayed Enterprises teeter on the brink.
She inhaled slowly, pressing down the fire that burned in her chest.
She wouldn't give them the satisfaction of reacting.
Not yet.
She walked forward, spine straight, heels clicking against the marble.
One of the older board members, a grizzled man with graying hair, sneered.
"And what do you think you're doing here?" he demanded. "You have no right—"
"No right?" she echoed, arching a brow. "I am still a shareholder. Last I checked, that gives me every right to be here."
A murmur of discontent rippled through the room.
Another man scoffed. "A shareholder? That won't be for long."
The words hung in the air like a blade.
And then Kareem finally spoke.
"Let's not waste time," he said, his voice smooth, authoritative. "We all know why we're here."
His dark gaze met Zafir's.
"I have a solution."
Nadia's fingers curled into fists.
Here it was.
The real attack.
Zafir's expression remained impassive, but she saw the flicker of tension in his eyes.
Kareem leaned forward, pressing his fingers together.
"You need an investor," he said, the perfect picture of reasonable. "Someone who can stabilize this company before it collapses entirely."
"I can do that."
A murmur swept through the room.
Kareem's smirk widened.
"But there's a condition."
Of course there was.
He turned to face Nadia now, his gaze settling on her like a predator who had already won.
"I'll invest," he said, dragging out the words, savoring them. "I'll save Al-Fayed Enterprises."
His fingers tapped against the table.
"But only if you and your father sell your controlling shares to me."
Silence.
Then, chaos.
Some board members erupted in agreement, already eager to accept.
Others—particularly Zafir's closest allies—looked furious, their voices rising in protest.
But the overwhelming majority?
They were listening.
Considering.
And that was dangerous.
Sara leaned back in her chair, looking utterly victorious.
For the first time in Nadia's life, she saw something close to defeat flicker across her father's face.
The weight of it all crashed down on her.
This was what they had been working toward.
What Sara had been waiting for.
What Kareem had been planning all along.
They wanted her to break.
To submit.
To hand over the empire that was rightfully hers.
She exhaled slowly.
Then, smiled.
"Interesting offer."
Kareem's brow lifted slightly.
"But I have a better one."
The entire room fell silent.