Chapter 3 - The Boardroom SurpriseThe next morning, the corporate headquarters of Pinnacle Consulting was buzzing with anticipation. Corbin’s agency was hosting a high-stakes pitch presentation to retain their primary institutional client, Apex Global. It was a deal worth millions, and Corbin had spent months preparing to convince the board that his firm represented sophistication, integrity, and elite management.
What Corbin didn't know was that as the founder of Vance Chemical, I was one of Apex Global's primary scientific advisors. And I had been invited to sit on the review panel.
At 9:55 AM, I took my seat at the end of the long mahogany conference table alongside four senior Apex executives. The room was bright, lined with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that let in the full glare of the morning sun.
Precisely at ten o'clock, the double doors of the boardroom swung open.
Corbin stepped into the room, flanked by Brielle. Both of them were wearing high-collared turtleneck sweaters and long trench coats despite the sweltering eighty-five-degree heat outside. Corbin had attempted to cover his hands and neck with heavy foundation makeup, but the neon orange dye bled right through the cosmetics, creating a splotchy, sickly pumpkin color across his jawline. Brielle looked even worse; her face was caked in cakey concealer that was already cracking and flaking under the harsh fluorescent lights.
When Corbin saw me sitting at the head of the client table, he froze mid-stride, his eyes widening in pure horror.
"Good morning, Mr. Vance," the lead Apex director said, gesturing to the presenter's podium. "We are ready for your presentation."
Corbin swallowed hard, his neck visibly sweating under his wool turtleneck. He stepped up to the podium, his hands shaking as he unpacked his presentation notes. Brielle stood beside the digital projector, looking like a terrifying, glowing mannequin.
"T-Thank you, board members," Corbin stammered, clearing his throat nervously. "Today, I am proud to present Pinnacle Consulting's strategic vision for—"
"Mr. Vance," I interrupted calmly, raising my hand. "Forgive me, but you look terribly unwell. And your associate appears to be suffering from a severe skin reaction. Is there something contagious happening at your firm?"
The entire board turned to look at Corbin and Brielle. Under the intense glare of the boardroom lights, the foundation makeup began to melt away in real-time. Sweat trickled down Corbin's neck, washing away the cover-up and revealing bright, luminescent orange streaks across his throat.
"I-It's just a mild allergic reaction," Corbin squeaked, wiping his brow with a handkerchief, which immediately turned bright orange. "Nothing to worry about!"
"An allergic reaction?" I raised an eyebrow, opening a tablet file synced to the room's main monitor. "Because according to the incident report filed with my lab yesterday, those neon stains are the result of a chemical bio-indicator reacting with counterfeit cosmetic compounds during an unauthorized breach of private property."
I pressed a button on my remote, casting high-resolution photos onto the wall projection screen—photos of my pool, the rhinestone flip-flops, the counterfeit tanning bottle, and a timestamped security video of Corbin and Brielle lounging in my backyard while I was at work.
The boardroom erupted into stunned gasps. The senior Apex director turned to Corbin with disgust.
"Is this true, Vance?" the director demanded. "You brought an unvetted associate into a private breach, lied about your personal conduct, and came into an executive presentation looking like a circus attraction?"
"No! Wait! Let me explain!" Corbin pleaded, waving his bright orange hands in desperation.
"There is nothing to explain," the director snapped, standing up and closing his folder. "Apex Global strictly requires integrity and professionalism from its contractors. Pitch terminated. We will be seeking alternative counsel."
May you like
As the executives filed out of the room, Corbin slumped against the podium, his life's work evaporating in front of his eyes. I gathered my papers, walked past him, and leaned down to whisper in his ear.
"I told you, Corbin. Chemistry never lies."
Related Stories
