Before I walk away

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he said, rising. "Mr. Sorenson is expecting you." Nicole nodded once and walked forward. Her heels struck the floor with finality. Harold Sorenson stood when she entered. Grayer at the temples, but still solid and loyal. One of the last men her father trusted. "It's been a while," he said. "Not long enough." He studied her. "You're not here to reminisce." "No. I need something. My father mentioned a clause - one you drafted. He said it was for protection. In case I ever needed it." Harold didn't flinch. He reached into a locked drawer, withdrew a thin envelope, and placed it on the desk. "He told me to give you this the moment you asked. No delay." Nicole picked it up. Her name was scrawled across the front in her father's sharp, impatient handwriting. She opened it slowly. Inside: a single-page legal document. Heavy with notary stamps. Thick with legal language. But her eyes locked on one section, highlighted in yellow. > "In the event of spousal betrayal, either of corporate trust or marital fidelity, Nicole Blake retains sole authority to reclaim her board seat, voting rights, and any marital assets tied to the Blake name or legacy." The words didn't hurt, they anchored her. She looked up. "It's real?" Harold gave a solemn nod. "Very real. He never fully trusted Julian." Nicole let out a quiet laugh. Dry. "I did." --- In the backseat of her car, she closed her eyes. She was 26 again. Rising fast. The boardroom had looked to her like she was gravity. She wore white. Clean lines. Confidence. Julian sat beside her, whispering under his breath. "Let them see you win," he said, squeezing her hand. He hadn't wanted her to stay long. "You've done the hard part," he told her later, champagne in hand. "Now let's build something new - together." So she stepped down. Gracefu

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