Chapter 308

Alexander POV

The conference room hummed with low conversation as the board members settled into their leather chairs. I stood at the head of the table, hands resting on the polished mahogany surface, waiting for everyone to quiet down.

"Gentlemen, ladies." The room fell silent. "Let's get started."

Jessica distributed folders to each member, the soft thud of paper on wood punctuating the stillness. I pulled up the presentation on the screen behind me, the first slide showing architectural renderings of a massive development project.

"What you're looking at is the Riverside Commerce Center," I began, clicking to the next slide. "Forty-two acres of prime commercial real estate along the Los Angeles River. Currently undeveloped, previously zoned industrial."

One of the board members le