"Chairman Dickerson." Drew Finch appeared at my elbow, touching his glass to mine with an amiable smile. "The company's numbers look excellent this year. You should be pleased."
"I should be."
I returned the smile and drained my glass in one smooth motion.
Three rounds of drinks later, the atmosphere had reached a fever pitch.
The emcee took the stage, voice booming with theatrical energy as he announced the evening's main event.
The year-end bonus presentation.
Cheers and applause erupted from the floor. Every eye in the room locked onto the stage.
I straightened my lapels and ascended the steps.
Taking the microphone, I let my gaze sweep across the sea of faces—each one bright with anticipation, practically vibrating with excitement.
Mary sat at the head table, posture elegant, composed. Only the slight tightening of her hands in her lap betrayed anything beneath the surface.
Dean occupied the seat beside her. Spine ramrod straight. A faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth. His eyes held the certainty of a man who already knew he'd won.
"First," I began, my voice carrying through the speakers to every corner of the hall, "I want to thank each of you for your dedication this past year."
Thunderous applause.
I worked through the list, calling names one by one.
Each recipient bounded up to the stage, beaming, accepting their envelope with effusive thanks. The amounts varied—tens of thousands here, over a hundred thousand there—but every face wore the same delighted grin.
Dean watched the proceedings with hooded eyes.
When a mid-level manager collected his two-hundred-thousand-dollar bonus, I caught the subtle curl at the corner of Dean's lips. Contempt, barely concealed.
He leaned toward Mary, murmuring something. She pressed her lips together in a knowing smile and reached over to pat the back of his hand.
The gesture was casual. Intimate.
A few people in the crowd noticed. Curious glances flickered their way.
Dean didn't pull back. If anything, he sat up straighter—basking in the attention, savoring the whispered speculation.
The standard awards wrapped up quickly.
The emcee's voice rose with practiced excitement: "And now, the moment you've all been waiting for—the Annual Special Contribution Award!"
"One million dollars in cash, plus a BMW 7 Series!"
The ballroom fell silent for a heartbeat, then erupted into a buzz of speculation.
Everyone knew the weight of this prize.