Damien POV
The board room felt like an execution chamber.
Twelve faces stared at me from around the mahogany table—some sympathetic, most coldly calculating. They'd seen my press conference. They'd watched me commit professional suicide on live television. And now they were here to finish the job.
"Mr. Blackwood." Richard, the longest-serving board member, cleared his throat. "We appreciate your... honesty this morning. However, your personal revelations have created a crisis of confidence."
"I understand," I said, keeping my voice steady even as my world crumbled. "And I take full responsibility."
"Responsibility?" Marcus's voice echoed through the room. He sat at the far end of the table, that same cold smile on his face. "Is that what we're calling it? Our CEO admits on national television to emotional abuse and abandoning his pregnant wife. Blackwood Enterprises' stock has dropped twelve percent in three hours. Our major shareholders are demanding answers."
