Meeting the Board

The tension in the air was palpable as Kieran, now Kiara, walked alongside his mother down the grand, polished halls of the Euphorica building. The gleaming floors beneath their feet reflected the sharp, rhythmic sound of their heels clicking in perfect sync. Each step they took seemed to echo for miles, bouncing off the marble walls, reverberating through the empty space like a constant reminder of the momentous occasion ahead.

Kiara felt the weight of every eye on her. She could feel the stares, the curious glances of the employees they passed. Whispers buzzed in the air, but not about her specifically—no, they weren’t sure who she was. But that only added to the pressure. It wasn’t yet clear to them that she was the heiress, the one who would take the reins of Euphorica Industries. Still, the curiosity was there. They were all looking, wondering who this young woman was walking next to Vivienne Laurent. Who was she? Could she be the future of the company?

The question hovered in the air as if it were a tangible thing, almost suffocating, making it harder to breathe with every passing second. Kieran’s thoughts raced, his nerves tightening in his chest as the hallway stretched endlessly before him. The click of their heels seemed to grow louder with each step, each echo ringing in his ears.

Kiara felt so exposed, so ****. The eyes of the building—of the company—were already on her, even if they didn’t yet know who she was. She couldn’t shake the feeling that everyone was silently judging, wondering if she would measure up, if she would be capable of leading this empire. Could they already tell she didn’t belong? She wasn’t Kiara Laurent at all. Not really.

Her hands, once clenched in a tight grip against her sides, now rested somewhat nervously at her waist. She could feel the weight of the silicone inserts shifting ever so slightly, a reminder of everything she had gone through, of the role she was playing, and the performance she had to execute perfectly today. The corset-like shapewear was tight against her, shaping her into the vision of Kiara, but the feeling of being her—actually being Kiara—was slipping further and further from reach as the pressure mounted.

It was almost unbearable. But it wasn’t just the stares that made Kiara’s anxiety skyrocket. It was the thought of the board meeting ahead, the real test of her transformation, of her ability to step into the role her mother had designed for her. Would they see through the act? Would they buy the performance?

And then, a pair of eyes met hers.

He was a young man, maybe in his late twenties, wearing a business-casual outfit—loose-fitting pants and a shirt, sleeves rolled up, hair in a messy, casual style. He was walking toward them, on some errand or another, when he glanced up. Their eyes locked for a fraction of a second.

Kiara’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing in that embarrassing way she had come to expect when her nerves got the better of her. The heat was sudden, a flush of panic rising up her neck. She felt his gaze burning into her, and then, just as quickly as it had started, the moment was over. He had passed by, still lost in his thoughts, unaware of the storm of emotions brewing inside her.

Get it together, Kiara, she told herself, but the nerves weren’t letting up. Her pulse raced as she tried to steady her breath. She had to act calm, confident, and graceful. She was Kiara Laurent, the heiress. She could handle this.

Her heels clicked loudly again, and the sound seemed to fill the space between them. It was the sound of purpose. But it wasn’t her purpose—at least not the one she felt deep down. She knew what this was. This was all for her mother, for her family, for her father’s legacy. This was for Euphorica.

Vivienne, walking just a pace ahead, glanced over at her daughter. Kiara could see the faintest look of approval in her mother’s eyes, but it wasn’t enough to calm the storm in her chest. Vivienne, as always, seemed to move with such confidence, so assured of her place in the world. Kiara wanted that—needed it—so badly.

They finally reached the boardroom door, and Vivienne came to a stop. She turned to face her daughter, a soft, reassuring smile on her lips. Kiara looked up at her mother, feeling small in comparison, feeling uncertain, but knowing that this was her moment. The moment that could change everything.

Vivienne took a deep breath, her eyes softening with a mixture of love and firmness.

“Kiara,” she said, her voice steady and confident. “You are ready for this. I know you are. You’ve trained for this moment, and I believe in you. The board will see you for who you truly are—the future of Euphorica Industries. And I know you will lead this company with grace, strength, and vision.”

Kiara nodded, taking in her mother’s words. They gave her a sense of calm, but it was fragile, fleeting. She could still feel the pressure of the boardroom, the weight of their expectations. She had to do it. For her family, for her father. The rest would follow.

Vivienne’s voice was low but filled with resolve as she continued, “Remember, Kiara, this is your moment. You’ve learned everything you need to. You know how to speak, how to move, how to be the heir. Don’t let any doubt cloud your mind. You are Kiara Laurent. You have earned this.”

Kiara inhaled deeply, nodding again. Vivienne’s words wrapped around her like a shield, something to cling to as the moment approached.

Vivienne turned her gaze down to her own outfit for a brief moment, adjusting the collar of her jacket. She was dressed in a tailored navy-blue pantsuit—classic and professional, nothing too showy, but the look of someone who meant business. Her high heels clicked sharply against the floor as she moved to stand beside Kiara. There was something about the quiet confidence in her mother’s posture, in the way she commanded a room just by existing. It was a look Kiara hoped to master in the coming years.

"Let’s go," Vivienne said softly, giving Kiara’s shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Kiara stood a little straighter, summoning all the strength she could from the depths of her thoughts. She was Kiara Laurent. She had to be.

As Vivienne reached for the door, Kiara took a final, steadying breath. Her pulse quickened again, but she refused to let it take hold of her.

They were ready.

Now, they were going in.

The moment the door to the boardroom swung open, the weight of the world seemed to press in on Kiara’s chest. She could feel it—the collective gaze of the Euphorica board fixed on her. The room fell silent, and in that silence, Kiara could hear her heartbeat echoing in her ears, loud and frantic. Every single pair of eyes was on her now, a sea of faces both familiar and foreign, all waiting, all anticipating. She could feel their expectations, feel the scrutiny with every breath she took.

This was it. The moment she had been trained for. The moment she had spent countless hours rehearsing for. The moment that would either cement her place as the next CEO of Euphorica Industries, or expose her as an imposter.

Vivienne walked beside her with grace, her calm presence like a steadying hand on Kiara’s back. It was a stark contrast to Kiara’s nervous energy. As they walked to their seats at the long, polished boardroom table, Kiara’s heels clicked against the floor, almost too loudly, reverberating through the quiet room. She could feel her legs shaking slightly, her steps not as steady as she would have liked, but she couldn’t let it show.

The chairs around the table were all occupied by men and women who had been part of the Euphorica legacy for decades. The board members who held the future of the company in their hands, their eyes trained on the new “heiress.” Kiara’s mind raced as she tried to calm herself. You’re Kiara Laurent. You can do this. You will do this.

Vivienne took her seat first, sitting with the kind of ease that Kiara wished she could emulate. With a final glance from Vivienne—one that held a mix of reassurance and expectation—Kiara carefully sat down beside her, adjusting her pencil skirt as she did, her back straight, her hands folded neatly in front of her. She tried to breathe deeply, but the pressure was suffocating.

Clarence Montague, the chairman of the board, cleared his throat as he stood, the practiced smile never leaving his lips. He was an older man, graying at the temples with sharp, calculating eyes that seemed to weigh every move, every word, with the precision of a seasoned vulture. He had been Jean Laurent’s right-hand man for years—an integral part of Euphorica's rise—and now, his eyes were locked on Kiara. She could feel his gaze like a heavy weight on her shoulders.

"Welcome, Kiara Laurent," he said, his voice smooth and professional. "We are all eager to meet the woman who may very well become the future of this company. Let’s not waste any time. Please, introduce yourself."

Kiara’s throat went dry. _Introduce yourself? _She hadn’t rehearsed this part, not really. She had gone over business questions, boardroom etiquette, the finer details of how to carry herself—how to be confident. But this was different. This was raw, real, and the pressure was mounting by the second.

She took a deep breath, forcing her lips into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, but she knew she had to try. She had to show them Kiara Laurent.

“My name is Kiara Laurent,” she began, her voice softer than she wanted it to be. She winced internally but pressed on. “I am the daughter of Jean Laurent and, as you know, I may be entrusted with the responsibility of leading Euphorica Industries into the future.”

Kiara’s hands, resting on the table, felt clammy, but she kept them still, her fingers gripping the edges of the chair as if they might anchor her. She could feel the weight of her breasts pressing against the soft fabric of the turtleneck, the silicone inserts still adhering to her skin, reminding her of the very artifice that made her who she was right now.

There was a slight tremor in her voice as she continued, “I have spent my life learning the intricacies of the company, from the bottom up, and I understand the immense responsibility that this position entails.”

She paused. Should I say more? Her mind was racing, trying to recall the lines she had rehearsed, but the words seemed to escape her. The silence stretched on, and the seconds felt like hours.

Clarence Montague’s smile didn’t fade, but his eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was appraising her, testing her. “Your father—Jean Laurent—was a great man. A visionary. But he had one glaring flaw, didn’t he, Kiara?” He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering as if to add weight to his next words. “He never saw the importance of securing a female successor. How do you feel about stepping into those very big shoes?”

Kiara’s heart skipped a beat. The question stung. But it wasn’t unexpected. She had prepared herself for this. She had to stay calm, composed. She couldn’t let her emotions show.

Vivienne moved slightly in her seat, a slight tension in her shoulders, as if she were about to intervene. But before she could open her mouth, Clarence held up a hand, silencing her. He wasn’t done.

“How do you plan to fill your father’s legacy, Kiara?” he asked, his gaze unwavering, an almost predatory gleam in his eyes. “What do you bring to the table that Jean Laurent didn’t already have?”

Kiara swallowed hard, her stomach tight. She could feel the weight of the question pressing on her chest. It was a challenge, a test, meant to rattle her. But she had to hold her ground. She had to show them she was capable.

Her breath caught in her throat, but she **** her voice to remain steady as she answered, “I believe I bring a fresh perspective, one that is rooted in the company’s history but looks forward to the future. My father’s vision was immense, but the world is changing. I intend to build on his legacy, to expand Euphorica into new markets, while maintaining the values that made this company what it is today.”

She paused again, gathering her thoughts. The words came out slowly, but she was trying, desperately, to sound confident. “I have always been a student of the company. I understand the importance of innovation, of leadership, and I am ready to step into this role.”

Clarence didn’t break eye contact. “And your experience? Your qualifications? Tell us why we should trust you, a woman with no real track record in business, to lead a multi-billion-dollar company.”

It was a direct hit. And Kiara felt the sting of it, but she couldn’t let it show. She had been trained for this. She had to keep her composure.

Just as Kiara opened her mouth to respond, Marjorie Sterling, a sleek and calculating woman in her fifties, interjected. “Forgive me, Kiara, but you’ve yet to address one critical aspect. What exactly do you believe your leadership will bring to this company that will inspire the loyalty and respect of your employees and the board? Your father was a titan, but you’re just a young woman, with no experience in leadership.”

The question was sharp, cutting through the room like a knife. Kiara’s stomach dropped. She could feel herself teetering on the edge. She had to get control. She couldn’t falter now.

Vivienne’s voice, however, came in smooth and calm, but firm. “Marjorie, we all know that Kiara has been groomed for this role, and she has the support of the board.” She turned to Kiara with a soft but reassuring smile, but the tension was still there, the sense that Vivienne was stepping in, protecting her daughter.

But Marjorie wasn’t done. She leaned forward, her gaze sharp. “We need more than words, Vivienne. We need confidence. We need action. Can Kiara show us that today?”

Kiara clenched her fists under the table, her nails digging into her palms. She knew she couldn’t back down. She had to answer. Had to prove herself.

Her instincts were screaming, wanting to give a quick, sharp response. But that wasn’t Kiara. Kiara Laurent was poised, confident, graceful. She couldn’t let Kieran’s reactions rule her.

Taking a steadying breath, Kiara looked up, forcing her voice to be steady. “I’m ready to prove myself, Marjorie. All I ask is for the opportunity to do so. I believe my vision will lead Euphorica to new heights.”

The boardroom was silent again, the weight of Kiara’s words hanging in the air. She had answered, but the battle was just beginning.

The tension in the room was palpable, suffocating even. Kiara felt it pressing in from every side—the weight of the eyes fixed on her, the expectation from the board, the unrelenting questions coming one after another. She had been prepared for this moment, trained for it by Vivienne and Celeste, but the reality of it was far more daunting than she could have ever imagined.

Clarence Montague’s eyes never left her as he leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him like some sort of calculating predator. He had already asked her about her father’s legacy, about her experience, about her qualifications. But now, the questions were becoming more pointed, more probing, and they weren’t getting any easier.

“Kiara,” Clarence’s voice was smooth, like butter, but there was an edge to it. “Let’s talk about the fact that you’ve been hidden from the public. Jean Laurent, your father, kept his personal life separate from the business, yes? But why were you kept out of the public eye until now? It seems odd that someone being groomed for the top job would be kept a secret.”

Kiara’s heart skipped. The public question. She had been dreading this. They knew she hadn’t been out in the open. The truth was, Jean had always preferred to keep his private life under wraps, keeping Kiara away from the spotlight, protecting her from the pressures of being the heir. But now, that very choice was coming back to haunt her.

She swallowed, trying to **** her voice to remain steady. “My father was always very protective of me, especially when it came to the business. He didn’t want me to be in the spotlight until the time was right. He wanted me to learn, to grow, to understand the company from the inside out. And during that time, I was mentored by him—learning how everything works, how every department, every decision, every deal comes together.”

She felt her throat dry up as she spoke, the words tumbling out faster than she could think. Was that enough? Did it sound convincing?

Clarence’s eyes narrowed, a slight smile on his lips. “So you were kept out of the spotlight, then. A hidden asset. But surely you must have been aware of the business landscape. Why wait until now to reveal yourself?”

Kiara clenched her jaw, trying not to let the tension show. I need to stay calm. I need to be Kiara. I can’t let Kieran slip through.

“I wasn’t kept in the dark,” Kiara said, her voice more confident now. “I was always involved behind the scenes. My father believed in teaching by doing, not by simply handing over the reins. I’ve been with the company in one way or another my entire life, watching decisions unfold, understanding what makes Euphorica the powerhouse it is today. I was just waiting for the right moment to step forward.”

The answer was true enough, but something in the way she said it didn’t feel as confident as it should have been. She noticed the slight flicker of doubt in Clarence’s eyes. He wasn’t convinced yet.

Marjorie Sterling, always sharp and calculating, leaned forward slightly, her gaze focused on Kiara like a hawk on its prey. “Interesting. But don’t you think that keeping yourself hidden for so long might raise questions about your readiness to lead? You’ve spent your life being trained, yes, but being trained in the shadows. The question is—how will the public respond to someone they’ve never seen before suddenly claiming the throne?”

Kiara’s chest tightened at the word “claiming the throne.” She had to fight the instinct to flinch at the implication. It’s not a throne. It’s business. She repeated the mantra in her mind: My name is Kiara Laurent. I am confident, graceful, and poised...

“I’ve always been ready to lead,” Kiara replied, though the words felt less certain than she intended. Focus, Kiara, focus. “I may have been behind the scenes, but I’ve watched, I’ve learned. And now that I’m here, I am ready to take on the mantle.”

She glanced around at the board, meeting each of their eyes, trying to hold her ground. She couldn’t let them see Kieran’s uncertainty. She needed to show them Kiara’s certainty.

But Clarence wasn’t done. He tilted his head slightly, the air in the room thick with tension. “Tell us, Kiara. What is your vision for the company? You’ve mentioned learning the business from the inside, but what does your future for Euphorica look like? Where do you plan to take it?”

Kiara felt the pressure of the question pushing her further into the hot seat. This was the moment where her answers needed to be flawless, where she needed to show them that she was capable of leading. She cleared her throat, trying to steady herself, trying to push Kieran’s inner voice into the background.

“My vision for Euphorica is one of growth and innovation,” Kiara began, her voice stronger now, though there was still an undercurrent of nervousness she couldn’t completely hide. “We’ve built a legacy here, and it’s one that has always stood at the forefront of the beauty industry. But I believe we can do more. We need to embrace new technologies, expand into new markets, and be bold in our approach to social responsibility. The world is changing, and so must we. I want to lead Euphorica into the next era of success, one that’s built on the same foundation my father laid, but one that looks forward.”

Her chest tightened with the weight of her words, but she held her ground. She had to. She was Kiara Laurent.

Marjorie crossed her arms, her lips curling into a slight smile, though it was one that didn’t seem entirely approving. “Interesting,” she mused, her tone almost dismissive. “But you still haven’t explained why we should trust you, Kiara. Your father may have taught you well, but trust is earned. We need more than just words.”

The question was sharp, and for a brief moment, Kiara’s mind went blank. She could feel Kieran’s frustrations bubbling under the surface, but she couldn’t let it show. She couldn’t let them see him.

“I’ve earned my place here,” Kiara said, pushing the words out with more conviction. “By working alongside the best minds in this company, by proving that I am willing to learn and grow, and by showing that I have the vision and determination to lead. Trust takes time, yes, but I’m ready to prove myself.”

Clarence exchanged a look with Marjorie, and Kiara’s heart sank. She couldn’t help but feel like they weren’t convinced. They were still testing her, probing, looking for any cracks in her armor.

But then, just as the pressure seemed unbearable, Clarence straightened in his chair, his gaze sweeping across the boardroom.

“Alright, Kiara,” he said, his voice carrying through the room. “We’ve heard enough. It’s time to vote.”

The room fell silent. Everyone around the table was staring at her, their faces unreadable. Kiara’s breath caught in her throat as she straightened in her chair. This is it. This is the moment.

Clarence pressed a button on the desk in front of him, and the large screen at the front of the room flickered to life. It was a virtual board meeting, with members both present and remote. The vote would be conducted through both physical ballots and digital responses.

“You’ve earned your chance,” Clarence said, his tone now almost indifferent. “Let’s see if the board agrees.”

Kiara held her breath as the votes began to appear on the screen, one by one, from the members who had cast their ballots. Some were green for “yes,” others red for “no.” The numbers ticked upward slowly, and Kiara’s heart pounded in her chest. She dared not look at Vivienne, who was watching her intently.

As the votes came in, the tally grew closer and closer. There were murmurs around the table, and Kiara could feel her pulse racing. It was too close—far too close.

Finally, the last vote appeared, and the result was clear. The green lights outnumbered the red ones by just one vote. The board had chosen her.

Clarence nodded, the practiced smile returning to his lips. “Congratulations, Kiara Laurent,” he said, his voice echoing in the now-silent room. “You are the new heiress of Euphorica Industries. We will look forward to your leadership.”

Kiara’s heart soared as the weight of the moment finally hit her. She had done it. She had won their approval, no matter how close it had been.

But as the board began to murmur their congratulations, Kiara’s mind swirled with the realization that this was just the beginning. She had secured her place—but the road ahead would be even harder.

For now, though, Kiara Laurent had triumphed.