CHAPTER FIFTY SIX - FACES IN THE CROWD

Ava felt her stomach twist into nervous knots as their entourage took their seats at the long, polished table. So much hung in the balance here - not just the obvious financial implications, but the shifting undercurrents of authority stemming from the family conflict as well. All eyes turned expectantly to Max as he rose to open the proceedings with his customary confidence. But then, something utterly shocking happened. "Gentlemen," he began in a tone of easy pragmatism. "I think we can dispense with the usual song and dance here." He gestured towards the innocuous briefing folder before him with a careless flick of his fingers. "Those strategic projections you none-too-subtly leaked? They were certainly convincing on the surface, I'll give your people that much." Ava's stomach dropped as the room tensed, mutters of surprise and consternation rippling amongst the consortium leadership ranks. She wanted to stop Max, to get him back on the scripted track before he torched everythin