Chapter 22: Showdown in the Boardroom

The heavy mahogany doors of the executive boardroom loomed large before Elliot. The polished brass handles glinted in the morning light pouring in through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the top floor. Inside, the company's most powerful figures waited each one with their own agendas and alliances.

Elliot adjusted his tie, feeling the weight of the Rizz God System's presence in the back of his mind.

"This is it, Elliot," the system whispered, its voice calm but firm. "One mistake, and everything crumbles. Stay sharp, stay confident."

The doors swung open, and Bianca Harper stepped in first, her emerald eyes sharp and her tailored black suit perfectly fitted. She exuded authority, every step purposeful. Elliot followed her, his posture confident, his expression unreadable.

At the far end of the long conference table sat Richard Caldwell, the stoic CEO of Harper & Associates. His silver hair was neatly combed back, and his piercing blue eyes settled on Elliot and Bianca as they entered. To his left sat Aaron Blake, smirking confidently despite the faint sheen of sweat on his brow.

The board members, a collection of older men and women in expensive suits whispered among themselves as Elliot and Bianca took their seats.

"Ms. Harper, Mr. Graves," Richard began, his voice low and commanding. "We've been told there's been some… irregular activity within the company. Care to elaborate?"

Bianca spoke first, her voice calm and precise. "Mr. Caldwell, irregular is putting it lightly. Over the past few weeks, Elliot and I have uncovered a financial trail that leads directly to Mr. Blake."

A murmur rippled through the room, but Richard raised a hand, silencing them.

"Aaron," Richard said sharply. "Is this true?"

Aaron chuckled softly, spreading his hands as if he were innocent. "Oh, please. This is nothing more than a poorly orchestrated power grab. Bianca and her little protégé here are grasping at straws because they see me as a threat."

Elliot leaned forward, his voice calm but cutting. "We're not grasping, Aaron. We have proof."

At that moment, the door creaked open, and Chloe entered, clutching her tablet. Her eyes darted nervously across the room before she walked up to Bianca and handed her the device.

"Thank you, Chloe," Bianca said softly.

Bianca turned the tablet toward the large screen at the head of the table. With a tap of her finger, financial records filled the screen accounts, transfers, timestamps. Chloe had compiled everything perfectly.

"These are the financial records of offshore accounts linked directly to Aaron Blake," Bianca said firmly. "The transfers were disguised as 'consulting fees' and routed through fake shell companies."

The murmurs grew louder. Some board members exchanged shocked glances; others glared at Aaron with suspicion.

Aaron's smirk faded slightly, but he quickly recovered. "This doesn't prove anything. Those records could have been fabricated."

Chloe stepped forward, her voice trembling slightly but steady. "Those records are real, Mr. Blake. And the most recent transfer? I froze it mid-transaction last night. If you'd like, I can pull up the live logs."

Aaron's face went pale.

"He's cornered, Elliot," the system said softly. "Time to finish him."

Elliot leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You've been skimming money from the company, Aaron. You've been lying to the board, manipulating records, and now you've been caught red-handed."

Aaron slammed his fist on the table, his mask of confidence shattering. "This is ridiculous! Bianca, you've always had it out for me! And Graves he's just your puppet, your little pet project!"

Richard raised his hand again, his voice sharp. "Enough!"

Silence fell over the room. Richard's gaze shifted from Bianca to Elliot, then finally settled on Aaron.

"I've heard enough," Richard said, his voice cold. "Aaron Blake, you are hereby suspended from all duties, effective immediately. An internal investigation will begin, and if these allegations hold, you'll be terminated."

Aaron stood, his chair scraping against the floor. His face twisted with fury as he pointed a trembling finger at Elliot. "You think you've won, Graves? You think this is over? You have no idea what you've started."

Security guards appeared at the door, stepping toward Aaron. He hesitated for just a moment before turning and storming out of the boardroom, his footsteps echoing in the silence.

The doors shut behind him, and a heavy stillness settled over the room.

The meeting adjourned shortly after. Bianca and Elliot walked side by side down the hallway, their steps in perfect rhythm. Chloe trailed slightly behind them, clutching her tablet tightly.

"We did it," Bianca said softly, her voice carrying a mix of relief and exhaustion.

"Not yet," Elliot replied. "Aaron's desperate now. He's not going to go quietly."

Bianca nodded solemnly. "We'll be ready."

They stepped into Bianca's office, the door closing behind them. Bianca walked over to her desk and poured two glasses of whiskey. She handed one to Elliot and raised her glass slightly.

"To victory," she said softly.

"To staying ahead of the game," Elliot replied.

They clinked glasses and took a sip, the warmth of the drink cutting through the lingering tension.

Bianca set her glass down and turned to face Elliot. "Elliot… I couldn't have done this without you."

Elliot smiled faintly, his voice low. "You don't have to thank me, Bianca. We're in this together."

For a brief moment, their gazes locked. Bianca's professional mask slipped slightly, her green eyes softening as she stepped closer. But before anything could happen, Chloe knocked on the door and poked her head in.

"Um… sorry to interrupt, but… there's something you both need to see."

Back in the IT office, Chloe pulled up a set of surveillance logs. On the screen were digital traces of a new, encrypted transfer attempt this one bypassing normal protocols entirely.

"He's still trying," Chloe said, her voice trembling. "Aaron's trying to move the funds again, but this time… he's using someone inside the company to do it."

Bianca's face went pale. "Who?"

Chloe hesitated, then pointed to the screen.

"Lila Caldwell."

Bianca gasped softly, while Elliot's jaw tightened. Lila the CEO's assistant, and one of the most trusted figures in the company.

"The game isn't over, Elliot," the system whispered ominously. "Aaron's playing his last card. And this one… could change everything."

To Be Continued…