Page 147 of Code of Heart

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, husband. You’re still very much on probation,” she teased, her voice light but her pulse pounding.

Levi sobered instantly. He held out his hand, palm open, his eyes searching hers with a quiet intensity that made her heart clench.

Sliding her hand into his, she gave him a small, confident smile.

“LetThe Reckoningcommence.”

Levi

“Such a unique perspective, sitting on this end of the table. I have to admit, I understand the allure now,” Levi mused, settling comfortably into his seat.

Across from him, Tyler Faulkner sat in the chair Levi once occupied as CEO, scowling like a petulant child. The rest of the Board wore equally sour expressions. Meanwhile, their side of the table—Aurelia, Charles, Owen, Ivy, Grace, and Isaac—stood united, a wall of calm defiance.

“But let’s skip the pleasantries,” Levi continued smoothly. “We’ve all been enjoying our newfound free time, only to be disturbed by news of how effectively you’ve run this company into the ground in record time.”

Before Tyler could react, Aurelia began clapping…slow, deliberate, and mocking. Owen and Ivy immediately joined in, adding dramatic flair. Levi bit back a grin.

So much sass indeed.

“Imagine my surprise,” Levi drawled, “when I learned Neuronix’s stock price had plummeted from a steady $154 a share to—what was it yesterday? Right under $2?”

Aurelia leaned in, her hand slipping into Levi’s as she spoke, voice honey-sweet and razor-sharp. “My dear husband, don’t be so hard on him.” Levi shot her a questioning glance, not expecting her to join in, but she continued, her sarcasm on full display.

“It’s not every day someone orchestrates a hostile takeover only to spectacularly crash and burn as a leader.”

Tyler’s face turned an alarming shade of red, the veins in his neck pulsing.

“I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now,” Aurelia went on, her eyes cold despite the faux sympathy in her voice. “Ousting the people who own the rights to the products you can’t legally sell. Watching your employees stage a very public walkout because no one wants to work for a selfish tyrant. Not a single paying customer left happy. And now…” She slowly scanned the length of the table, meeting the eyes of each Board member before returning her gaze to Tyler.

“…you’ve all lost millions on the stock collapse. Such a difficult season for you all.”

She smiled sweetly, while Ivy dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief—where had she even gotten that?—and Owen made loud, tragictsk tsksounds.

Tyler was visibly shaking, but Levi let them have their fun. After all, weeks ago, Tyler had planned for their public humiliation. It was only fitting they returned the favor.

“Well, in his defense,” Isaac added with mock pity, “it’s hard to run a tech company when you have zero experience or credentials. I always thought being CTO was easysince I actually knew how to code. But hey…guess that’s just me.”

“A PR nightmare!” Grace gasped dramatically. “Is it true even the marketing team walked out?”

Owen nodded somberly. “And the security team. And sales. And legal. Finance. Operations. Honestly, I’m surprised there’s anyone left to turn the lights on in this drafty building.”

Ivy let out a fake shiver. “Draftyanddepressing,” she sniffed into her handkerchief.

Levi almost laughed aloud, but now it was time for the grand finale.

“Luckily for all of you,” he said, voice turning steel-cold, “we’re a forgiving and benevolent group. We’ve come today with a proposal—a generous offer to buy whatever’s left of this crumbling empire. As is. Assets and all. In cash.”

That certainly got their attention.

Charles stepped in to lay out the details, but when a Board member blustered, “We’ll lose complete ownership!” Aurelia’s voice cut through the room.

“That’s generally how buying you out works,” she snapped. “Why would wewantyou involved after you ran this company straight into the ground? If you want to walk away withanythingleft in your pockets, you’ll take the deal.”

She gave Levi’s hand a quiet squeeze. He had never seen this side of her before and fell in love even more.

Tyler slammed his fists on the table. “You think I’m too stupid to realize this was all orchestrated? The walkouts, the resignations—youruinedme! I should report you to the SEA!”

“Oh, I’m so glad you brought that up,” Levi said smoothly. He glanced at Owen, who practically vibrated with excitement.