CHAPTER EIGHTY ONE - UNEXPECTED CONFESSIONS

The morning sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Bennett Enterprises' executive boardroom, casting long shadows across the polished mahogany table. Max Bennett stood at the head of the table, his piercing blue eyes scanning the faces of his top executives. "Ladies and gentlemen," Max began, his voice carrying a mix of authority and excitement, "we're on the brink of something big. The Novatech merger isn't just another deal – it's our gateway to European dominance." He clicked a remote, and a sleek holographic display flickered to life above the table, showcasing projections and statistics. "Novatech's bleeding-edge AI algorithms combined with our market reach? We're talking about revolutionizing the entire tech landscape." Ava Hart, seated to Max's right, couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation. She'd been preparing for this moment for weeks, pouring over financial reports and cultural briefs late into the night. "Ava," Max said, turning to her with a hin