The directors looked at one another, their discomfort growing. Raver sighed, crossing his arms. "You're overreacting, Samuel. There's nothing to tell."
"I'll decide that," Samuel shot back. "Why don't you let me be the judge of what's worth knowing?"
"We were discussing the company," Edward offered cautiously, his voice calm. "Long-term strategies, nothing more."
Samuel's eyes narrowed. "Long-term strategies that you couldn't discuss with me? The CEO?"
Daren finally spoke up, his voice low. "It's not like that. We didn't mean to exclude you."
"But you did," Samuel snapped. His gaze darted to Bart and Billy, who looked ready to bolt. "And you two? You don't make a move without a reason. So, what's yours?"
Billy stammered, "We… we were just—"
"Save it," Samuel interrupted. "You've been waiting for an opportunity to stir things up since you joined the board. Don't think I don't know that."
