The Titan Global boardroom at 9:58 AM was a study in controlled power. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, gleaming off the polished mahogany table. Klaus Smith sat at the head, a king holding court, his expression one of detached impatience. Flanking him were his CFO, a stern woman with a razor-sharp bob, and Mr. Higgins, who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.
Britney stood by the door, a stack of meticulously prepared briefing folders in her arms, her personal shield and sword. She wore her best suit, a simple but well-cut navy blue outfit she'd bought on sale for job interviews. It felt like armor. Her heart was a steady, determined drumbeat against her ribs. She was ready.
The air shifted moments before they arrived. A subtle wave of expensive perfume preceded them. James Finch entered first, his presence commanding yet genial. He offered a warm, professional smile to Klaus. "Mr. Smith, thank you for having us."
Then came Lora Finch, elegant in a cream-colored Chanel suit, her smile gracious but slightly distant, as if her mind were on the next charity luncheon.
And then, behind them, glided Serene.
She was a vision of calculated perfection, from her honey-blonde waves to the delicate pearls at her ears. Her eyes swept the room, acknowledging Klaus with a intimate smile, nodding coolly at the other executives, and then… they landed on Britney.
For a fraction of a second, the perfect mask slipped. Shock, then pure, undiluted venom flashed in her eyes. It was so swift Britney might have imagined it, had she not been waiting for it. Serene's smile tightened, her gaze lingering on the folders in Britney's arms, clearly understanding that the intern she'd tried to crush was not only still here but positioned in the room.
Britney didn't flinch. She met Serene's gaze with a cool, professional neutrality, handing a folder to each person as they took their seats. When she handed one to Serene, their fingers almost brushed. Serene pulled her hand back as if shocked.
"Thank you…" Serene said, her voice a sweet, questioning drawl, pretending not to remember her name.
"Britney Carter," Britney supplied, her tone even, devoid of warmth.
"Of course. The intern," Serene replied, the title a deliberate dismissal. She turned immediately to Klaus, effectively erasing Britney from the conversation. "Klaus, darling, Mother and I were just discussing the potential for a joint scholarship program in the sciences. It would be such a perfect fit for the Foundation's mission."
The meeting began. James and Klaus discussed high-level strategy, the financials, the vision. It was Higgins's turn to present the legal overview. He spoke in dry, technical terms, glossing over the potential risks Britney had identified, painting an overly optimistic picture of a smooth acquisition.
Klaus listened, his fingers steepled. "Higgins. The Aether Innovations overlap. Address it."
Higgins blinked, thrown. "Sir, as I said, the risk is minimal. The patents were dissolved—"
"A dissolution doesn't erase the underlying IP," a clear, calm voice interjected.
All heads turned. Britney stood slightly behind Higgins, her posture straight. She hadn't meant to speak out of turn, but Klaus had opened the door. Higgins shot her a look that could curdle milk.
Klaus's gaze shifted to her. "Explain."
Britney stepped forward slightly, ignoring Higgins's seething presence. "While the Aether patents were acquired and dissolved, the original research team was not party to that settlement. Three of Verity's key researchers worked at Aether. There is a precedent, albeit rare, for individual inventors to make a claim based on conceptual continuity. A footnote in the acquisition, acknowledging and indemnifying against this remote possibility, strengthens our position by demonstrating due diligence and prevents future costly litigation."
The room was silent. James Finch was watching her with keen interest. Lora looked slightly puzzled, as if trying to place her.
Serene's smile was icy. "It sounds like… a great deal of conjecture from an intern. Shouldn't we be focusing on the tangible benefits of this merger rather than inventing phantom legal threats?" Her tone was light, laugh-like, designed to make Britney seem alarmist and foolish.
Klaus didn't even look at Serene. His eyes were fixed on Britney. "Probability assessment?"
"Less than five percent, sir," Britney responded immediately. "But the financial impact of a claim, should it materialize, could run into the tens of millions. The cost of the footnote in the agreement is zero."
A faint, almost imperceptible smirk touched Klaus's lips. It was gone in a flash. "See that it's included," he said to Higgins, whose face was now a mottled shade of purple.
The meeting continued, but the dynamic had shifted. Every time a technical detail arose, Klaus would occasionally volley it to Britney. "Carter. The licensing transfer timeline." or "Carter. Clarify the non-compete jurisdiction."
Each time, Britney answered with concise, undeniable accuracy. She was no longer an intern; she was the undisputed expert on the granular details of this deal in the room. She was building her impeccable record, brick by brick, right in front of them.
Serene said little else, but her silence was louder than words. Britney could feel the heat of her hatred from across the table. James Finch, however, kept looking at her with a strange, thoughtful expression.
As the meeting wrapped up and everyone rose, James approached her, bypassing Higgins entirely. "That was an impressive analysis, Miss Carter. A sharp legal mind. Where did you say you studied?"
"State University, sir," Britney said, her heart thudding painfully against her ribs. My father. He's my father.
"Remarkable," he said, genuine appreciation in his eyes. He reached into his breast pocket and handed her a card. It was thick, creamy stock, embossed with his name. "Finch Publishing is always looking for talented individuals who can see the details others miss. If you ever consider a change, please call me directly."
It was a staggering vote of confidence. Britney took the card, her fingers trembling slightly. "Thank you, Mr. Finch. I'm… honored."
She looked over his shoulder and saw Serene watching the exchange, her face a pale mask of fury. Lora was gently pulling on her husband's arm, ready to leave.
As they filed out, Serene was the last to pass. She paused beside Britney, her voice a low, venomous whisper meant only for her ears.
"You think you're clever? You're nothing. A speck of dust. Know your place, or you'll be swept away."
Then she was gone, leaving behind a cloud of perfume and malice.
Britney stood alone in the emptying boardroom, clutching James Finch's business card. She had just won a major battle. She had proven her worth to Klaus, earned the respect of a titan of industry—her own father—and had publicly humiliated her enemy.
But as Serene's threat echoed in her ears, she knew the war was far from over. It had only just begun.