Chapter 20 - The First Council Meeting
The council arrived three weeks later.
Three families.
Six representatives.
All wealthy.
All experienced.
All skeptical.
The oldest member, Helena Voss, studied Sofia without smiling.
“You have no formal background in international finance.”
“No.”
“No political experience.”
“No.”
“And you spent most of your adult life working in restaurants.”
“Yes.”
Helena leaned back.
“Why should we trust you with the Volkov trust?”
Sofia didn't answer immediately.
Then she said:
“Because I know what it feels like to have no power.”
The room became still.
“I know what it feels like when people decide your value before they hear your name.”
She looked around the table.
“I also know what happens when powerful people believe rules don't apply to them.”
Damian remained silent.
Sofia continued.
“I won't promise you that I'll never make a mistake.”
Helena raised an eyebrow.
“I won't.”
“But I will promise that no decision involving this trust will ever depend on whether someone is rich enough to intimidate me.”
One council member scoffed.
“You speak like a reformer.”
“I speak like someone who has seen what unchecked power does.”
That silenced him.
The council did not approve her permanently.
But they also did not remove her.
They gave her six months.
Six months to prove that the foundation's transformation was sustainable.
Six months to demonstrate financial stability.
Six months to prove that the Volkov legacy could survive without returning to its old methods.
Sofia walked out of the room.
Damian followed.
“You did well.”
She exhaled.
“I hated every second.”
He smiled.
“Good.”
She looked at him.
“Good?”
“You cared.”
Sofia smiled.
“That's not the same as being ready.”
“No.”
Damian took her hand.
May you like
“But you're getting there.”
---
