Isabella straightened her Armani suit jacket as she entered the mahogany-paneled boardroom, her heels clicking authoritatively on the polished floor. The tension in the air was palpable even before she took her seat at the head of the table. Several board members waited, their expressions ranging from concerned to openly hostile.
"Good morning," she said, her voice steady as she placed her leather portfolio on the table. "Thank you all for coming. I understand we have pressing matters to discuss."
Jonathan Pierce, usually her staunchest ally, looked uncomfortable. "Isabella, the quarterly financials are troubling. Our liquidity has hit its lowest point in five years."
Isabella nodded, maintaining her composure. "Yes, we've weathered some unexpected expenses this quarter. However—"
