Not laughter.
The sound of a powerful man’s world collapsing.
Ricardo sank into a chair.
White-faced.
Speechless.
Broken.
The executives around the room avoided his eyes.
The board members already knew.
The decision had been finalized hours earlier.
He simply hadn’t known yet.
Elena turned toward the audience.
Her posture remained elegant.
Regal.
Unshaken.
“For years, people assumed I stood behind my husband.”
Then smiled.
