TBG - Chapter 19: Turning the Tide

Nadia stepped confidently toward the center of the room, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. She stood in front of the sleek, polished table, the glow of the overhead lights reflecting off her blue business attire. Her curly hair framed her face perfectly, and her gaze was steady as she looked across the room at the assembled executives. For a moment, she allowed the silence to stretch, letting the anticipation build before she spoke.

"Good morning, gentlemen," she began, her voice calm and unwavering. Her tone was rich with authority, but there was warmth that made it clear she wasn’t just here to pretend. This was personal—rooted in her heart. She scanned the faces before her—Theodore, Drake, Victor, and the other business partners of Thatcher Enterprises. "My name is Nadianna Rostova. I’m the founder and director of several charitable organizations supporting children with cancer. Today, I’m here to present a project that can change the lives of thousands of children fighting for theirs."

Her words hung in the air before she clicked to the first slide of her presentation. A stark image appeared on the screen behind her—a group of children in a hospital ward, their faces tired but hopeful. "For the past few years, I’ve been involved in the fight against childhood cancer. It’s a war we may never fully win, but it’s a battle that cannot be ignored. Cancer doesn’t care how young you are. It doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor. It doesn’t care if you’re from Russia, the United States, or anywhere else. It takes lives, and it breaks families. But what cancer can’t take is the hope of the people fighting for those lives."

Nadia paused. "In Russia, I founded my first charity aimed at improving the quality of life for children with cancer, providing not just medical treatment, but also the emotional support to help them through one of the most traumatic experiences a child can endure." She moved to the next slide, showing the growth of her charity over the years: partnerships with hospitals, donations for research, and initiatives that helped families affected by cancer. "Through this, we’ve provided thousands of children with access to life-saving treatments and the opportunity to feel like children again. They’ve attended art classes, sports events, and family therapy sessions—all funded through our charitable efforts."

Her voice remained steady, but there was unmistakable passion in her words. "I know someone personally who has been affected by cancer, and I’ve seen firsthand how vital it is for these children to not just survive, but to thrive. It’s about giving them the chance to experience life, even in the face of a terminal illness."

She took a steadying breath, her gaze shifting to the men in front of her. She knew they weren’t just looking at her as a charity founder—they were looking at her as a businesswoman. "I’m not asking you to support a project that guarantees immediate success. I’m asking you to invest in something greater than money—it’s an investment in hope, in dignity, in the human spirit."

Her words were ringing with strength and resolve, and she could see their skepticism giving way to curiosity. She clicked to the next slide, showing the global scope of her charity’s future plans. "This project isn’t just about Russia. It’s a global initiative. We are creating a network of charities, medical professionals, and researchers working together to find solutions that go beyond treatment. We will create a global network of care that reaches every corner of the world where children need it most."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, her expression hardening as she spoke. "In many countries, children with cancer don’t have access to treatments, or their families are forced to make choices they shouldn’t have to make—whether to pay for medical care or put food on the table. This project is about bridging that gap. It’s about ensuring no child is ever turned away simply because they don’t have the money to pay for their treatment."

She clicked to the final slide of the presentation, which featured her plans for a partnership with Thatcher Enterprises. "This partnership would be a cornerstone of that global movement. With Thatcher Enterprises’ resources and network, we can build a foundation that will not only help save lives but will create a lasting legacy for both our companies." Her gaze lingered on Theodore, his cold expression unreadable, yet something in the way he watched her made her feel like she was being truly seen. 

She looked around the room, meeting the eyes of each person at the table. "This isn’t just about writing a check or signing a contract. It’s about being part of something bigger than all of us. It’s about leaving a mark on the world that will change lives—not for a day, not for a year, but for generations to come."

She allowed a pause. "I know this may seem like an unusual proposal. But I believe that we can do more than just make money. We can make history. We can save lives."

As Nadia spoke, Theodore’s attention shifted solely to her, the words pouring from her lips with a conviction that caught him off guard. He had expected her to be composed, but this... This was different. She wasn’t just reciting rehearsed lines. She was speaking from the heart, each sentence laced with genuine determination and experience.

Victor’s voice cut through the room, dripping with skepticism. "Nadia, I respect your passion, but what’s the real purpose here? You’re asking us to invest millions of dollars on children who may not even survive. What’s the point of saving lives that are already doomed? What’s in it for us?"

Nadia didn’t flinch. Her gaze locked onto Victor, unwavering, as the silence stretched between them. She wasn’t about to let his words slide. She knew exactly what he was implying—this wasn’t about saving lives. This was about business. And Nadia wasn’t here to play that game.

"You know," Nadia began, her voice steady, "I understand why you’d think that. For you, the value of a person’s life is measured by how much money it can bring into the company’s coffers. You’re only concerned about the profits, the returns. That’s why you think it’s a waste. You can’t see past the numbers."

Victor raised an eyebrow, taken aback by her sharp response, but Nadia wasn’t done yet. She leaned in slightly, her eyes narrowing.

"Let me paint a picture for you, Victor," she said, her voice cutting through the air. "Imagine, just for a second, that you’re living in a poor community. Your child gets diagnosed with cancer. You’re devastated. But there’s no time to grieve because you need to figure out how to save your child’s life."

She paused, letting the weight of the situation settle in the room. Everyone was hanging on to her every word now. Nadia’s tone grew more intense as she described the harsh reality.

"And then you go to the hospital, hoping they’ll help. But they don’t. Because they say you need to pay. And you don’t have the money. You don’t have enough to cover the treatment. And your child’s life? It’s just another statistic to them. They turn you away, and you have no options. All because you’re poor."

Victor’s eyes flickered, but Nadia wasn’t finished. She leaned in even closer, her gaze fixed firmly on him.

"Now, imagine you have the power to change that. To help, to give those children and families hope. To give them access to the care they need without the crushing weight of financial burden. You could be part of something that doesn’t just change lives—it changes the world."

Her words hit like a punch, and the room went quiet, the weight of her statement settling over everyone. Nadia’s eyes didn’t leave Victor’s as she continued, her voice now a quiet but forceful challenge.

"Let me tell you something. It’s not a waste. It’s an investment in humanity. It’s an opportunity to do something that has meaning. You think it’s about the money? You’re wrong. It’s about giving these children a chance. A chance to live, even if it’s for a short time. A chance to feel valued. And yes, it’s about helping the future, because these children—they matter."

Victor’s face flushed, and for the first time, he seemed genuinely at a loss for words. Nadia had put him in a position he couldn’t ignore, and everyone in the room could feel it.

For a moment, the room was still, and the only sound was the quiet shifting of people’s weight. The tension in the air was palpable.

Victor opened his mouth, but no words came out. He had been caught off guard, and now, the pride he had been so eager to display had turned into something more uncomfortable. He looked away, hislmm silence speaking volumes.

Nadia didn’t wait for him to recover. She had made her point. She wasn’t just here to win an argument—she was here to change perspectives, to prove that her mission was bigger than any business deal.

The room was silent for a long moment before the partners began to murmur amongst themselves. Some of them nodded, clearly moved by her words. Others exchanged looks of reluctant respect.

Theodore watched, captivated, as she addressed Victor’s skepticism, her voice unwavering. He saw a woman who wasn’t just pretending to be something she wasn’t—she was becoming the very thing she had set out to portray. The confident businesswoman, the advocate for children in need.

As she answered Victor’s question, her words rang out with clarity and depth that left no room for doubt. Theodore couldn’t help but smile, a small, almost imperceptible curl of his lips. There was something undeniably captivating about her. It wasn’t just her beauty, or the way she commanded the room—it was the fire behind her eyes, the force behind her every word.

He had never regretted his decision to choose her, but in this moment, he was more certain than ever that he hadn’t just made a smart business move—he had chosen a woman who would inspire him in ways he hadn’t anticipated.

Nadia’s strength was her own, and it was something Theodore couldn’t help but admire. She was no longer just a pawn in his game—she was someone who would make the world take notice, just as she had already done with Victor.

When the vote was cast, the room was unanimous in its support—everyone except Victor agreed to move forward with the proposal. Theodore, who had been quietly observing the exchange, stood up from his seat. He had remained calm, his face inscrutable, but there was a glint in his eyes as he turned to Nadia.

"I agree with the proposal," he said, his voice low, his gaze unwavering. "We will move forward with this."

As the room erupted into murmurs of agreement, Nadia felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had done it. She had convinced them, not just with facts and figures, but with her passion, her dedication, and her vision for a better world.

Theodore’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, his expression softening ever so slightly. It was the first time she had seen him like this—without the cold, detached mask he usually wore. In that moment, she saw him not as the calculating businessman, but as someone who recognized the fire inside her.

"You did well," he said quietly, a hint of respect in his voice.

Nadia’s heart skipped a beat. "Thank you," she replied, a small smile tugging at her lips.

And for the first time, she allowed herself to believe that this partnership, this project, could change everything. It could change lives—and it would change hers.