Chapter 20 · Vote

"Seven to six." Gerald Marsh says it like he's reading a body count. "Congratulations, Ms. Vale. You keep your signature. For now."

I don't smile. I've learned that much in four months at this table — smiling after a win in this room just tells them where to aim next.

"For now," I say back, "is all anybody's ever offered me. I'll take it."

The boardroom's gone quiet except for Marsh's pen tapping the folder in front of him, and Luca standing behind his own chair instead of sitting in it, arms crossed, watching Marsh like he's deciding which bone to break first. Seven votes kept my name on the CFO line.

Six wanted me gone — off the accounts, off the floor, off whatever's left of my say in how this family's money moves. Six votes is close enough that Marsh thinks he still has a shot.

"A vote this tight," Marsh says, standing, buttoning his jacket like he's got somewhere important to be after he ruins my week, "tells me the board's not comfortable. Not with a bookkeeper holding signature authority on eight hundred million in assets. No offense, Ms. Vale."

"Plenty taken.