I reached under the table with my left hand, drew my phone from my evening bag, and opened the server dashboard. The packages were loaded. The timer was counting down its final seconds.

Marcus rose, lifting his glass high for his speech. “I want to thank everyone for coming,” he began, chest out, triumph all over his face. “Forty is a milestone.

But looking around this room — the leadership of this firm, my wonderful parents, the life I’ve built — I can say that everything is exactly where it belongs.

I’m a man who commands results, and I promise you, the best is yet to come—”

Bzzz.

A sharp vibration sounded from the CEO’s breast pocket.