Chapter 72

The NHL boardroom felt like a courtroom as Emma and Alek entered, followed by the Toronto sports network’s camera crew. Twelve board members sat around the polished mahogany table, their faces ranging from skeptical to openly hostile.

“Commissioner Volkov,” Board Chairman Richard Hayes began, his voice icy. “We weren’t expecting... this level of publicity.”

“Transparency was our proposal,” Alek replied calmly. “We thought you should see what it looks like in practice.”

Emma took her seat next to Alek, hyperaware of the camera capturing every moment. Her hands were steady, but her heart hammered against her ribs.

“Mrs. Mitchell-Volkov,” another board member spoke up. “Do you really think it’s appropriate to turn this meeting into a television spectacle?”

“I think it’s appropriate to show hockey fans how decisions about their sport are made,” Emma replied. “Unless there’s something you’d prefer they not see?”

The temperature in the room seemed to dr