Chapter Twenty

The double doors of the conference room swung open.

Olivia Carter stepped in, her navy-blue pantsuit crisp, her posture regal, and her heels clicking against the polished marble floor as she walked inside. The atmosphere in the boardroom was nothing short of powerful—an aura of wealth, influence, and decision-making so intense it seemed to weigh the air itself.

The conference table was massive, a rich, handcrafted mahogany masterpiece shaped into an oval, gleaming under the opulent chandelier overhead. The leather chairs, deep and luxurious, were custom-made, embossed with the golden insignia of the U.S. Department of Energy, signifying the importance of this meeting. The walls were adorned with subtle yet elegant paneling, exuding an air of absolute authority.

Every seat was occupied, top executives from Carter Wave Solutions, powerful figures from the Stavros Group, and high-ranking U.S. government officials dressed in their signature black suits, their expressions impassive yet observant.

And then there was the press; a few select journalists, seated at the far end of the room, their cameras rolling, poised to document what was supposed to be a historic partnership.

At the head of the table, just across from her, sat Dimitri Stavros.

He was composed, exuding his usual air of unshakable confidence. A dark, custom-tailored Tom Ford suit hugged his broad frame perfectly, his raven-black hair sleeked back with precision. His presence dominated the room, commanding attention effortlessly. His onyx eyes met Olivia's, smirking, as if already anticipating victory.

Olivia lowered herself gracefully into the chair opposite him.

This was it.

The meeting was officially called to order.

The Meeting Procedure

The Chairman of the U.S. Energy Regulatory Committee, an older man in a perfectly pressed suit, leaned forward, clearing his throat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today. We are gathered to finalize the agreement between Carter Wave Solutions and the Stavros Group regarding the establishment of the largest renewable energy infrastructure in the U.S. This initiative is one of national significance and has received immense interest from both private and governmental sectors."

A few murmurs of agreement rippled through the room as he continued.

"We will begin by reviewing the final terms of the agreement and addressing any last-minute concerns before proceeding with the official signing and approval. Mr. Stavros, let's start with you."

Dimitri leaned back slightly, his lips tilting in that effortless, self-assured smirk.

"Of course," he said smoothly, his deep voice filling the room. "The Stavros Group is honored to be part of such a monumental project. We have the expertise, the funding, and the global reach necessary to make this a success. Our plans for sustainable energy production will not only boost economic growth but also set a global precedent."

The board members nodded, satisfied with his statement.

The government officials followed up with technical questions, diving into the project scope, budget allocation, and compliance measures. Dimitri answered each flawlessly, his confidence unwavering. He spoke as though he had already won—because, in his mind, he had.

Then, the questions turned to Olivia.

"Ms. Carter, as a key partner, does Carter Wave Solutions support the outlined initiatives, and do you confirm your company's commitment to this partnership?"

Olivia smiled, the picture of grace and poise.

"Absolutely," she responded, her voice steady. "At Carter Wave, we believe in innovation and ethical business practices. Our partnership with the Stavros Group is intended to benefit the industry and, most importantly, the American people."

The meeting continued smoothly. Legal representatives reviewed documents. The energy board officials expressed their confidence in the collaboration. The signing ceremony was just minutes away.

Everything was falling into place.

Until Olivia tilted her head slightly and spoke again.

The Moment Everything Changes

"There is one last thing I'd like to address."

The room fell into silence.

Dimitri's smirk remained, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he observed her.

Olivia leaned forward, placing both hands on the table, her expression unreadable.

"Mr. Stavros," she began, her voice smooth, controlled, "before we finalize anything, can you clarify something for me?"

Dimitri arched a dark brow, intrigued but unfazed. "I'd be happy to."

Olivia reached into her briefcase and pulled out a folder. The weight of the silence in the room was palpable as she opened it, revealing several documents, photographs, and official reports.

She placed the first document on the table and slid it toward the government officials.

"This," Olivia continued, "is an investigative report on several offshore projects operated by the Stavros Group. It outlines multiple environmental violations, the use of unapproved hazardous materials, and, most importantly, operations conducted without full regulatory approval from the U.S. government."

A ripple of confusion moved through the officials.

Dimitri's smirk disappeared.

His body stiffened, and for the first time, his face betrayed a flicker of shock.

Olivia didn't stop.

She placed another stack of documents down, her voice growing sharper.

"These emails and correspondences confirm that certain subsidiaries of the Stavros Group knowingly bypassed U.S. energy regulations."

A stir of murmurs broke out as the government officials flipped through the evidence, their expressions hardening.

The press, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, leaned forward, their cameras focusing in.

Dimitri's jaw clenched.

Olivia met his gaze and saw something she had never seen before—raw, unfiltered rage.

But she wasn't done.

She pulled out one last document, this time a confidential report from a private investigator, detailing how Dimitri's team had manipulated tax filings, bribed offshore regulators, and engaged in backdoor dealings.

By the time she finished, the room was dead silent.

Dimitri's hands curled into fists on either side of him. His normally impassive face was twisted into a storm of fury, humiliation, and something deeper, betrayal.

One of the government officials, clearly disturbed, spoke.

"These allegations are serious." He turned toward Dimitri. "Mr. Stavros, do you have a response?"

Dimitri's eyes locked onto Olivia, burning with absolute fury.

She had just destroyed his name, his reputation, his legacy, in front of the world.

For the first time in his life, Dimitri Stavros was powerless.

The chairman, after a brief but intense deliberation, slammed his gavel on the table.

"The board officially revokes Stavros Group's partnership rights."

The words hit like a thunderclap.

Dimitri gritted his teeth, his fists clenching so hard his knuckles turned white.

The press erupted. Cameras flashed. Reporters whispered frantically into their microphones.

The mighty Dimitri Stavros, humiliated in front of the world.

But he barely heard them.

Because across the table, sitting calmly, was Olivia Carter, and she was smiling.

The meeting was over.