The Memory Keeper: The Sin In Our Name

Rain's POV

The faint hum of the vending machine filled the corridor as I stood frozen, clutching my empty coffee cup. I had stepped out for just a brief moment, needing a reprieve from the weight in my chest, but what I stumbled upon made my heart race.

I heard a voice-a sharp, hushed tone-coming from around the corner.

"Now I'm here, what's next?"

The voice was unmistakable. Khali.

Curiosity got the better of me. I peeked around the corner, careful to remain unseen. She had her phone pressed to her ear, her face as cold and calculated as her tone.

"Do you have any idea what Luc-" She stopped abruptly, scowling as though the person on the other end had interrupted her. She rolled her eyes and snapped, "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Now do your job before Khai wakes up."

My breath caught in my throat. My grip tightened on the coffee cup as my pulse quickened. What did she mean by that? What job? Who was she talking to?

I couldn't stay there a moment longer. Slowly, I retreated back the way I came, careful not to make a sound. My feet felt heavy, but I forced myself to move, heading straight back to Khai's room.

Once inside, I closed the door gently behind me, leaning against it for support as my mind reeled. Khali's words repeated in my head like a broken record.

Looking at Khai, still motionless on the hospital bed, I felt a surge of protectiveness. Whatever Khali was planning, it couldn't be good-and I wasn't going to let anyone hurt Khai again.

I sat down next to her bed, gripping her hand tightly. "Khai," I whispered, "I don't know what's happening, but I swear, I'll protect you. Just... please, wake up and tell me what's going on."

But all I got in return was the steady beep of the heart monitor and the sound of my own unsteady breathing.

--
Lucan's POV

The boardroom was a battlefield, cloaked in the illusion of diplomacy. Lucan Stanton stood at the head of the long, mahogany table, his commanding presence demanding attention despite the palpable tension in the room. New faces-Yuri from Biolink Japan, Kim from Ashton Realty in Korea, and Wilshire from Alpha's in the UK-sat among the seasoned board members, their confident smirks and calm postures exuding an unsettling aura of control.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Lucan began, his voice steady but edged with steel, "I've reviewed the conditions set forth by our new investors. While I understand the importance of ensuring Stanton Corporation's growth, these proposals challenge the very foundation of this company."

Yuri leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he responded smoothly, "Mr. Stanton, with all due respect, these conditions are not challenges; they are necessary measures to secure Stanton Corporation's future. Sacrifices must be made for progress."

Lucan's sharp gaze shifted to Kim, who adjusted his tie nervously but pushed forward. "We've all invested heavily into Stanton Corporation, Mr. Stanton. If we are to see substantial returns, structural adjustments are non-negotiable. Including, perhaps, reconsidering leadership roles."

The words hung in the air like a guillotine.

Lucan's expression hardened, his tone colder. "Leadership isn't dictated by spreadsheets. It's earned through vision, strategy, and results. Stanton Corporation's legacy speaks for itself."

Wilshire, seated at the far end of the table, chuckled softly. His British accent cut through the room like a knife. "Legacy is precisely the problem, Mr. Stanton. It's outdated. If you truly want this corporation to thrive in the global market, you must embrace modern leadership-and perhaps modern leaders."