"Mr. Antonov," one of the three old men greeted, "You're quite late."

"I am?" Tristan looked at his watch, "Yes, seems I'm late," but he didn't excuse himself.

Today, Tristan Antonov wasn't going to be a professional. He knew exactly what he was doing and that wasn't trying to get the project manager job.

"We were discussing," a woman with a short black bob started, "The reason for such incompetence in Kerzillion."

"That would be a problem bigger than two people," Tristan mumbled. A few of the board members glanced at him.

"Both the finance and project managers have caused problems before," a well-groomed, considerably young member stated. Tristan could tell who he was. Tan Li Wei Louis. He was one of the few members who cared more for Kerzillion than for his personal gains, which Tristan was going to use for his advantage. 

"This could be considered the third strike," the man continued, "So why, Ms. Garcia, Mr. Taylor," he nodded at each of them, "Should you stay?"

George Taylor looked nothing like he did yesterday. He was wearing a gray suit and his face, no longer red, was sweating profusely.

"Well," he started, "I can't just leave. No one would be there to fill the position." Tristan noted that he was trying to be professional, but the nervousness ruined the overall image. If he hadn't stormed into the office yesterday and insulted Dahlia, Tristan would've felt bad for him.

Dahlia herself was sitting silently, watching and listening. Tristan avoided looking at her, even though they were right beside each other. He knew that the moment he spotted her face, he'd be ridden with guilt and self-disgust.

"We can get anyone to fill your position, Mr. Taylor," a graying man uttered. Brice Beaumont, old and easily irritated, judged them from his seat, "And there are a few replacements for Ms. Garcia."

"There are exactly three efficient replacements for the position," Dahlia finally joined the conversation, and Tristan's heart clenched just by hearing her voice.

"Mr. Dylan made it very clear that he doesn't want the promotion during our last similar meeting, and judging by the fact that he's not here," she looked around the long table, "I'd say he still doesn't accept it. Mrs. Leonard took a maternity leave and she won't be back for a minimum of 40 days. The last option is Mr. Antonov," she said it easily, without emotion, at least that's what it sounded like to the board members, but Tristan knew better. He felt her tense slightly beside him. "Isn't qualified for the position yet."

"He only needs to work here for two years-" a woman, Linda Sherman, started but Tristan took that as his opportunity.

"I'm qualified enough," he laced some arrogance into his reply, "I've already worked at the New York branch for 8 years," he had read the entire mission files yesterday. He memorized every board member's personality, likes, and dislikes. He wouldn't leave this meeting without ensuring that Dahlia was keeping her job.

Leaning back in his chair, the man crossed his hands behind his neck. He heard Ms. Linda tut in disapproval and smiled inwardly.

"Perfect."

"We can make an exception," Mr. Fredrick, the same man who greeted Tristan at the start of the meeting, sighed, "It is, after all, an emergency."

"I have a question," Tristan asked and all the people in the room, but Dahlia, looked at him, "Can I change the decor in the office when I become manager? The paintings at the back are horrible."

Arrogance, rudeness, and ignorance. Three of the board members despised those qualities in employees. And the paintings were chosen by Mr. Fredrick himself. That's four people angered with one question.

"Mr. Antonov, it hasn't been decided whether you're taking the position yet," Mr. Brice informed him.

"Seems to me that I'm the only choice." 

"We can always get a qualified person from another branch," a brown-haired man said, annoyance clear in his tone. Tristan knew they'd never do that. Kerzillion never left such an important position open for so long. They never put an unqualified employee in such a position either. So either they get a miracle or they put Tristan.

He still felt some worry, however. No, it wasn't his own. He was feeling someone else's worry. He looked at Dahlia. Her right hand was moving under the table. She was touching her thumb to each finger in order as if counting them. Tristan had never seen her do such a thing before. He wanted to slide his hand into hers. He wanted to comfort her.

"No," Mr. Louis broke his train of thoughts, "That would take too long. At least a month for the paperwork."

"We can put a substitute for a month, Mr. Tan."

"With such working circumstances?" Tristan raised an eyebrow. He'd need to scare them from even considering such an option.

"What do you mean, Mr. Antonov?"

"Why are Mr. Taylor and Ms. Garcia getting fired? For supposed sabotage of some files that you didn't have extra copies of?"

Silence followed Tristan's question. Most of the board seemed too irritated to ponder his words but Louis and the final board member seemed to think about his words. Olivia Jones. She hadn't talked throughout the whole meeting, but Tristan knew how much power she had.

"No one would enjoy working in a branch where the board mistrusts the employees."

Tristan looked at Dahlia. She had to take the wheel now. This only worked if she put in some effort.

"Mr. Antonov makes a good point," Mr. Louis finally decided, "It would be hard to transfer an employee when the circumstances seem so unstable."

"We'll find someone," Mr. Brice grumbled, clearly vexed.

"With all due respect," Dahlia talked and Tristan could have cheered, "It would take too much time, as Mr. Tan mentioned. That would set the company back, especially since it's about to gain an important work partner. Kerzillion's reputation will be affected."

"The reputation will be affected more when there are snakes working among us."

"The fact that there are no copies of such important files," Dahlia leaned forward, looking at every member by turn, "Leads me to believe that the problem would be bigger than two managers." Tristan was in awe of how she completely dominated the room, even though he'd seen how she works before.

"So there is someone with more power, working against you," George added.

"It would be unwise to remove us when there is absolutely no evidence supporting the claim that either of us sabotaged the Becker files."

Tristan winced. She was dominating the room too much. Even if that was something he liked, most of the board didn't like that.

"I realize that both Mr. Taylor and I have been in a similar situation before, but we've been working here for more than twelve years. Besides, we always keep hard copies of important files. Until someone sabotages those files too, this can still be considered an outside job or a defect in someone's computer."

"Yes!" Tristan thought. She knew exactly what she was doing. There was no way they could fire her now. He looked around at the board members. Most of them seemed conflicted, which was good. It would take a little push and they'd be convinced.

"We'll decide what happens with you by tomorrow," Mr. Fredrick ended the meeting, "That'll determine whether you come to work on Monday."

Tristan grumbled in annoyance on his way out, even though he was far from annoyed. All he had to do was prove the virus was, in fact, an outside job. He was about to enter his car when he was stopped.

"Antonov," he turned at Dahlia's voice, "Tomorrow, 3 pm, Velvet Sunrise Coffee."

She entered her car and Tristan, despite himself, smiled. She gave him a second chance! He wasn't going to mess this up.