The distant sound of a luxury sedan engine revving outside was suddenly interrupted by a sharp knock at the office door.
A sleek black town car had pulled right up to the open garage bay, its doors opening with smooth precision.
A fair-skinned American businesswoman in a black suit enters holding a clipboard and confidently addresses Mr. Daniel.
Voice (Businesswoman - BOLD & FORMAL): "Mr. Daniel, your purchase of the nation's largest auto empire is complete."
Daniel: Excellent work, Victoria. Have all the final acquisition papers been signed and filed?
Victoria: Yes, sir. The board of directors transferred full voting shares to your private account ten minutes ago.
Daniel: And what about the debt restructuring for our regional manufacturing plants?
Victoria: Fully resolved. We cleared the remaining mortgage and secured a zero-debt balance sheet.
Chloe stopped dead in her tracks near the exit, her hand freezing on the handle of her designer handbag.
Chloe: Victoria? What are you talking about? What auto empire are you referring to?
Victoria did not even glance in Chloe's direction, keeping her professional gaze fixed entirely on Daniel.
Victoria: Mr. Daniel is the sole majority shareholder and CEO of Apex Global Automotive Holdings.
Chloe: That's impossible! Apex is worth billions of dollars! He's just a mechanic!
Victoria: Mr. Daniel chose to spend his morning inspecting the prototype engine personally on the shop floor.
Daniel: Thank you, Victoria. You can leave the final portfolio on the workbench.
Victoria: Right away, Mr. Daniel. Let me know if you require any further legal settlements today.
Victoria placed the leather-bound document down neatly beside a wrench before turning back toward her vehicle.
The heavy silence in the garage grew suffocating as the reality of the situation began to set in.
Can Chloe possibly undo the damage of her words now that the truth has been revealed?