All Chapters of THE BOSS BEAST: Chapter 11
- Chapter 13
13 chapters
CHAPTER 11 — THE SUMMONING
The meeting ended without resolution. That alone was unusual.Richard Hale stood slowly, straightened his jacket, and said, “Let’s end this meeting here. We’ll reconvene tomorrow morning. I need to make some enquiries.” Nothing more.No explanations. No arguments. No insults. Just that. People exchanged looks as he walked out—measured steps, shoulders squared, face unreadable. The door closed behind him with a soft click, yet it sounded louder than any shout he had ever made.For the first time in years, Richard Hale had asked for time. That night, his office light stayed on longer than usual.He sat alone, files spread across his desk. Reports. Old emails. Projections he had once dismissed without reading past the first page.One name appeared again and again. Ethan Blackwood. Richard leaned back, fingers pressed together.He remembered the boy, quiet, observant, always writing things down. He remembered how easily Ethan had spoken in meetings, how confidently he had predicted outcom
CHAPTER 12 — THE WAITING ROOM OF POWER
The mood was different. That alone unsettled people. For the first time in years, laughter existed inside the walls of Hale Industries’ boardroom, not loud, not careless, but restrained, hopeful.Smiles appeared where fear once lived. Conversations flowed without whispers. People walked in lighter. Chairs were pulled back without hesitation. Coffee cups were filled without shaking hands.Some even joked quietly, careful not to tempt fate. Friday had arrived. And with it, Ethan. Or so they believed. Amara took her seat and looked around the room. She counted faces.Everyone was present, no sick excuses, no sudden errands. Even staff who rarely attended meetings had found reasons to be there.Hope had summoned them. Daniel adjusted his tie for the third time. He hadn’t slept much. The thought that he, of all people, had sparked this moment made his chest tight. “Do you think he’ll come?”someone whispered. “He said yes,”another replied. “People like him don’t break appointments.” Dani
CHAPTER 13 — MEN AT THE BAR
Friday nights never changed.No matter how the week went, profit or loss, victory or humiliation, Richard Hale always ended his Fridays at the same bar. Same corner booth. Same low lights. Same seven men.They called themselves friends, but they were more like mirrors, men of power, ego, money, and influence. CEOs, investors, contractors, politicians-in-waiting. Men who believed the world bent because they leaned on it.The bar smelled of aged whiskey and polished wood. Jazz hummed softly in the background, just loud enough to drown out conscience.Richard arrived late. That alone drew attention. “Look who finally decided to join civilization,”one of them joked. Richard didn’t smile. He loosened his tie and dropped into the booth, signaling the bartender without a word. “Bad week?”another asked. Richard took the glass handed to him and swallowed deeply before answering. “Bad… realization,”he said. That caught their attention. They leaned in. Richard stared into his drink for a mome