He refused to take his disabled wife to the party, saying her presence would be “embarrassing.”

Laughter followed.
Leo never noticed the silence behind the curtain near the stage.

When the music softened, the Ce0 stepped forward, commanding the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “before we announce tonight’s promotion, we must acknowledge someone without whom this company would not exist. During the pandemic, this individual saved Apex Global. They are our silent majority shareholder, holding sixty percent of the company.”

Leo straightened. Sixty percent? His pulse quickened.

“Please welcome,” the Ce0 announced, “our Chairwoman… Ms. Mara Consunji-Velasco.”