Chapter 17: A Seat at the Lion’s Table
Anna’s POV
The screen on my phone lit up, and I immediately felt the pull of dread tighten in my chest.
Joint Phoenix Project Meeting 9:00 AM Tomorrow
Location: Simpson HQ – Boardroom B
I stared at it for a few seconds, my jaw clenching. No warning. No discussion. Just a forced summons with barely twelve hours’ notice.
Typical Jack.
I didn’t move, didn’t blink, didn’t even bother hiding the cold fury creeping beneath my skin. Not this time.
"Daniel. Rachel." My voice sliced through the quiet of my office. "Clear your schedules. You’re coming with me to the Phoenix meeting."
Rachel appeared in the doorway almost instantly, heels clicking against the polished floor. She already had her tablet in hand. "Just the three of us? What about Sean and the rest of the technical team?"
My eyes never left the glowing screen. "Exactly what they want. If we show up with our full team, they’ll spin it as formal mediation."
She hesitated. "And this isn’t mediation?"
"No," I said flatly, finally setting my phone down. "It’s an ambush."