The heavy silence returned, wrapping itself around the room like a shroud. After what felt like an eternity, Carl sighed deeply once more. His gaze drifted to the framed photograph on the desk.
In the photo, a young Kiley Ford stood in the prime of her youth, dressed in a flowing white gown. Her long, silky hair spilled effortlessly over her shoulders, framing a face that radiated charm and vitality. There was an unmistakable elegance about her, enhanced by the quiet confidence of someone born into privilege
Carl traced a finger gently over the glass.
“Kiley, if you’re watching over us, protect Corrine. Keep her far away from these raging tempests.”
Jayden left the study, his expression carved from ice, his entire demeanor radiating an unapproachable air.
“Uncle Jayden,” Corrine called softly, turning toward him as his footsteps echoed in the hall.
The icy edge in his gaze flickered, softening slightly.
“I’ll have Zane pick you up tomorrow morning,” he said, his tone firm and brooking no argument. Zane Cooper was one of Jayden’s most trusted men, someone responsible for his personal safety-a clear statement of how seriously he took the situation.
Corrine blinked, startled by the gesture.
“Uncle Jayden, there’s no need. It’s better to keep Zane with you. I can always arrange for a driver from the house.” Compared to her relatively peaceful environment, Jayden’s world was riddled with danger. Ever since his rise to power, factional infighting had been constant. She couldn’t allow Zane to be diverted to her side at such a crucial time.
Jayden, wary of arousing her suspicions, relented.
“Very well. But if anything happens, call me immediately.”
“Okay,” she agreed, her tone gentle.
After seeing Jayden and Waldo off, Corrine returned to her room, where Leland approached her with a stack of papers.
“Miss, these are the company’s documents from the past few years. Please take a look.”
“Thank you, Leland,” she said, accepting the papers. Suddenly, something crossed her mind.
“Oh, and inform the board of directors that there will be a meeting at nine tomorrow morning.”
Leland gave a small nod.
“Understood. I’ll take care of it right away.”
Once the door was closed, Corrine flopped lazily onto her bed. She checked her phone and noticed a message on WhatsApp from Nate. Her gaze flickered with an unspoken emotion as she stared at it.
Corrine paused, then returned a casual message.
“What’s up?”
Although she intended only to be courteous, Nate called her directly, saying, “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“Sorry for the delay,” Corrine responded.
“Got plans tomorrow?” Nate’s voice, deep and captivating, filled the conversation.
Distractedly sifting through papers, Corrine quickly responded, “Yes, I’m to-” Her new role at the company demanded her full attention.
“Is that your reason for turning me down?” Nate wasn’t surprised by Corrine’s response.
“Starting a new job takes some getting used to,” Corrine explained
“What made you want to see me all of a sudden?”
Nate’s voice grew softer.
“I was hoping to invite the woman I admire to dinner, but it seems she might not be interested.”
“Have you become this direct with your feelings?” Corrine laughed.
“Corrine,” Nate’s voice resonated warmly.
“I see no reason to hide my feelings from you.”
His words were like savoring fine wine. His deep baritone felt like a heartfelt lover’s confession, stirring emotions within her.
Feeling a flutter in her heart, Corrine cleared her throat and said, “If that’s all, I’m going to hang up now.”
She then ended the call and set her phone aside.
Her phone buzzed soon after, signaling a new message. It contained the address of a restaurant and a voice message from Nate saying, “I’ll be waiting for you.”
Nate had a way of offering choices that weren’t really choices at all. He set the stage, and she found herself inevitably playing her part without real options to decline.
The following morning, Corrine made her timely arrival at the headquarters of Ford Group.
All eyes were glued to the tinted windows of her car. When she exited, she ducked slightly, stepping out gracefully. Dressed sharply in a suit with tailored cigarette pants, she radiated capability and a distant coolness. A simple twist held her long hair up, save for a single wavy strand at her temple that softened her stern expression and added an intriguing allure. Her arrival halted conversations, her presence too imposing to ignore.
After their initial shock, her assistants hurried to her side as Corrine made her way into the building. When she reached the elevator, an eager man stepped up to press the button.
“Miss Holland, I’m Mr. Castillo’s assistant, Mark Chavez.”
Corrine gave him a cold look, prompting a quick smile from Mark as he added, “Mr. Castillo hasn’t been well and is currently resting, yet he made it clear that I should look after you exceptionally well. He mentioned that if you need anything at all, I should not hesitate to exceed expectations.”
“Let Mr. Castillo know that he should concentrate on his recovery at home. We won’t disturb him with company matters. We’re committed to ensuring he has a well-deserved retirement after all his dedicated service,” Corrine responded, her deep eyes locking with Mark’s eager gaze.
“Handling this request should be straightforward for you.”
After her words, she entered the elevator.
A well-deserved retirement?
Mark was left bewildered, rooted to the spot. He had intended to complicate things for Corrine under Allan Castillo’s orders, yet it appeared the tables had turned against him.
The CEO’s office on the sixty-eighth floor hummed with efficiency. Assistants meticulously arranged documents, preparing for the impending meeting. Meanwhile, the former chairman’s personal notification swept through the company like a thunderbolt, igniting widespread speculation
Corrine’s striking appearance made her a topic of discussion, with many quick to dismiss her as merely having a beautiful face without any real substance.
Whispers rippled through the office.
“Isn’t the chairman’s last name Ford? Would he let an outsider manage the company?”
“She looks barely twenty-two or twenty-three. Isn’t she too young for such a position?”
“Do you think she has some special connection with the chairman?”
A woman holding a steaming mug interrupted their speculations.
“Don’t be deceived by surface appearances. She’s a Holland by name, but a favorite of the chairman. Admitted to a prestigious business school at sixteen, she led the Bright Pharmaceuticals acquisition at eighteen. Her achievements are far more impressive than you might imagine.” Her voice carried a decisive tone.
“Instead of gossiping, focus on protecting your own positions.”
With that parting shot, she pivoted on her heel, the sharp clicks of her high heels echoing down the hall.
The remaining group stared after her, momentarily stunned. One of them finally broke the silence.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.