The Corporate Empire

the youngest CEO in HorizonTech's history had forged her into someone who didn't second-guess. Bu

d HorizonTech's PR department had rolled out a campaign that positioned the company as the industry leader in e

ed with

y erratic. During meetings, he had been more critical, less inclined to support her initiati

id had been the one to throw the hardest questions her way. Ther

*

awling city below. The view was stunning, but it did little to quell the unease gnawing at her. She w

t was Rachel Montgomery, the CFO. She was

on?" Isabella asked, g

g it over. "I've been reviewing the latest financials. We're seeing a slight drop in

ing it? The AI platform should be o

ress. Apex has been aggressively releasing new features. And whil

but she had hoped their strategic wait would give them a compet

muttered under her breath. "Apex is rushi

chatter among the employees. Some are starting to feel like we're not moving fast en

al market, it was a cultural problem. The company's identity had always been about cutting-edge te

*

ere was one person noticeably absent: David Kim. His absence wasn't entirely unusual-David had his own way

rogress of HorizonTech's AI platform. But she could feel the weight of the unspoken questions in the room. Her team

n the desk. She didn't check it immediately, but the ping was persistent.

n Blackwell: We need to t

*

e her way to Ryan's office, her mind racing. She had known something was wrong, but

an called whe

gers drumming lightly on the surface. He didn't look up at first, but when he f

ng on?" Isa

y. "I just found out this morning. He's telling them that HorizonTech is

caught in her thro

st three major investors-off the record, of course. They've been feeding him co

her biggest supporter, was now playing a dangerous game. And his actions weren't

abella asked, her voice

eed to confront him-before

*

in a small, private office. He was sitting at the desk, his express

ella said, her voice steady but edged with

or HorizonTech, Isabella. You've made some bold decisions, but the company is at a crossroads. If we keep going down

e. "And you think you're the solution? You've been playi

o you. I'm here to be loyal to HorizonTech. And if

her sides. "You've crossed a line. And I

*

e for HorizonTech's future wasn't just about the competition from

for certain: David Ki