Page 61 of Outcast’s Return

“I believe in you, sis.”

* * *

I take a deep breath before I open the door into the boardroom, armed with my trusty folder.

The room is a standard boardroom, but it’s full of executives today. Serious men in suits. What catches my eye is an older woman in a jumpsuit sitting at the head of the table. She observes me with hawk-like eyes as I enter. I know instantly who she is.

So, the managing director of Worcester Asset Management has shown up, and she’s watching me present?

You don’t fuck around with these people.

Behind me, Clement steps in. He takes a spot in the back corner, willing me on. A friendly face in a crowd of frowns. The room is intimidating, but it's what I expected.

Until...

I stop.

I see him sitting in the front row, staring at me. No. It can’t be.

He’s looking at me, arms crossed. Another face in the crowd. My old mentor.

Steven Rinde.

What the hell is he doing here?

I blink. I’m so confused by his presence here today. He’s in a crisp tan suit. I try to make the link between him and the firm, but I come up with nothing. He doesn’t even acknowledge me in any real way. He merely sits there like another executive in the boardroom.

But I don’t have time to think this one through. An entire room is waiting for me. All eyes are on me. I gotta be brave. I gotta power through.

Do this for Clement. Do this for us.

“Good morning, everyone,” I say. I turn to my old mentor, eyes locking with his. “Good morning, Steven.”

If I think I’m going to get a revelation as to why he’s here, I get nothing from him except silence.

I place the folder on the desk in front of me. I’ve practically memorized it word-for-word; I’ve gone through it so many times.

“Let’s get started then,” I say to the room. “And let’s get straight to the point. With Worcester Asset Management, everyone sees a failing company, but not me. I see concealed value. Based on my calculations...”

I barely get another word out before Steven raises a hand.

“Stop,” he says. “That’s all we need to hear.”

There’s silence after his words.

He speaks as if he’s speaking for the entire room. No one asks him what the hell he’s doing.

What is going on?

I look at Steven. He looks blankly back at me. He’s leaned far back in his chair, confidently comfortable and ready to tear my work to pieces.

It’s not the Steven I know.

Stop?

“I haven’t even begun,” I say, voice shaky and unsure after the sudden interruption.

I wait for one of the executives to step in. To override Steven. But nothing happens.