CHAPTER FIFTY - TRUTH IN THE SHADOWS

As the meeting adjourned, Max could see a new determination in the eyes of the board members. The shock and betrayal were still there, but alongside it was a fierce resolve to protect what they had built together. As they filed out of the boardroom, Max caught Ava's eye. She gave him a small, encouraging smile, and he felt a surge of gratitude for her unwavering support throughout this ordeal. Meanwhile, Ava threw herself into salvaging the North Star deal. She pored over every detail of the original agreement, looking for ways to sweeten the pot and rebuild trust. Drawing on her extensive knowledge of North Star's business practices and long-term goals, she crafted a revised proposal that offered additional value while addressing the concerns raised by the leaked information. As dawn broke, Ava finally managed to get Marissa Reynolds on the phone. The North Star CEO was understandably furious, but Ava's calm professionalism and transparent explanation of the situation managed to ke