Chapter 2 - The Mother's Verdict
Eleanor walked up the carpeted stairs to the stage with the quiet dignity of a queen ascending her throne.
General Hale respectfully stepped aside and handed her the microphone.
The applause slowly faded into a tense, expectant silence.
Derek felt a cold bead of sweat roll down his spine.
He prayed she would simply give a standard grieving mother’s speech and ignore his earlier insult.
"My son, David, believed that true leadership required unwavering empathy and absolute integrity," Eleanor began, her voice steady and clear.
"This foundation was created to fund the education of future leaders who embody those exact virtues."
She paused, letting her gaze sweep across the front row until it locked directly onto Derek.
"Unfortunately, I have witnessed firsthand tonight that not every senior officer in this room understands what empathy means."
A low murmur rippled through the crowd of politicians and generals.
Derek gripped the edge of his table so tightly that his knuckles turned completely white.
"Colonel Derek Maddox was heavily favored to become our first executive director," Eleanor continued, refusing to break eye contact with him.
"However, as the sole board president, I am officially exercising my veto power to disqualify him from consideration."
The ballroom erupted into shocked gasps and hushed, chaotic whispers.
General Hale looked completely blindsided, stepping forward as if to intervene.
Eleanor held up a hand to stop him, her expression hardening into something truly dangerous.
"Furthermore, leadership is not just about how you treat a mother at a dinner table," she said into the microphone.
"It is about how you treat your men when the enemy surrounds them."
Derek felt his heart stop dead in his chest.
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"Effective tomorrow morning, my legal team is officially submitting a petition to the Pentagon," Eleanor announced.
"We are demanding a formal military tribunal to investigate Colonel Maddox for cowardice and treason during Operation Sandstorm."
