Chapter 14: Changes
Summer’s POV
The pristine glass walls of Fortune Corp felt different somehow. Maybe it was the way the morning light hit them, or maybe it was Just me. A year in Europe Isad changed more than just my perspectiv–it had changed everything Fd once taken for granted. Even the familiar scent of coffee from the break room secus foreign now, I thought, adjusting my grip on my bag. The weight of my laptop. Inside felt like armor against whatever was waiting for me.
My heels clicked against the marble floor as I made thy way through the Investment division. The sound echoed differently now, like a stranger’s footsteps in a place that used to feel like home. New face looked up as I passed, their expressions a careful mix of curiosity and calculation. Where are all the familiar faces?
Sarah’s desk – the one by the windene where she’d worked for several years now belonged to someone I didn’t recognize. Mark’s corner office had a new nameplate: “Daniel Cooper, Senior Investment Manager.” Even Lisa, my friend in this office for three years who knew exactly how I liked my coffee, was gone.
This isn’t a coincidence. My fingers tightened around my portfolio as the realization sank in. One or two personnel changes were normal in a year, but this? This was a systematic parge. They’ve been planning this, haven’t they? Methodically removing everyone Toyal to me while 7 was too far away to notice.
A polished voice interrupted my thoughts, the tone carrying just enough warmth to seem friendly while remaining professionally
distant
I turned to find myself facing a woman about my age, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit that probably cost more than most people’s monthly salary. Her smile was professional, but something in her eyes reminded me of a cat watching a particularly interesting mouse, Victoria used to look at me the same way, I realized with a jolt Right before she’d take something that was mine.
“Miss Morgan.” I kept my voice neutral, professional, even as my stomach tightened with instinctive wariness. “I’ve heard about your work while I was away.” And about how quickly you aligned yourself with Alexander’s interests, I added silently.
“These are the investment project reports from the past six months. She handed me a thick folder, “Considering you’ve been in Europe for a year, you might need some time to catch up on headquarters operations. I’ve prepared detailed materials for your
reference.
Really? How thoughtful of you to remind me that you’ve been running department. The folder felt heavy in my hands, weighted with implications and hidden agendas. I accepted it with a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes, one I’d perfected during countless Wall Street negotiations. “Thank you, Miss Morgan. That’s very thorough of you. After all, this is part of your job description.”
Something flickered in her expression – annoyance, maybe, or frustration at my lack of reaction. “If there’s anything unclear, feel free to ask me. I’ve been managing all the investment projects this past year,”
“Is there anything else, Miss Morgan?” I met her gaze steadily, refusing to be baited.
She smiled again, all perfect teeth and calculated warmth that never reached her eyes. “Actually, I was thinking we should organize a
ent dinner tonight? With so many new faces, it would be good for everyone to get better acquainted.” Her tone suggested she was doing me a favor, but her eyes held a predator’s focus.
The Invitation hung in the air between us like a carefully laid trap. A dinner where I’d be surrounded by Alexander’s people, watching them size me up and report back to him? Where every word I say would be dissected and twisted? No thank you. My chest tightened at the thought of sitting through hours of fake smiles and veiled insults
“What’s wrong, Miss Taylor? Her tone carried just a hint of challenge
“I apologize, but my schedule is quite full at the moment.” I gave her my best boardroom smile. “I’m afraid I have to disappoint everyone.”
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Chapter 14: Changes
Before she could respond, a Tahiliar figure appeared at my office dog – Old Mr. Stark s secretary, looking as efficiently unreadable as ever. “Miss Taylor? Mr. Stark would like to see you,“
I’ll be right there.” I nodded at Katherine. “If you’ll excuse me, Mist Morgan.”
As I followed the secretary toward the executive floor, memories from my last board meeting washed over me. The way Alexander had barely looked at me, how Old Mr. Stark had treated me like a stringer… God, what a difference a year makes.
ΠΟΥ
work ethic,
I remembered the day Old Mr. Stark had first hinted at a potential marriage between Alexander and me. Hed praised my
Columbia education, my family background, his eyes twinkling vill paternal warmth. “You remind me of my late wife, hed said, his eyes warm with approval as he’d studied my face. “She had that he spark Back then, those words had filled me with pride and belonging.
Now those same eyes would probably look at me with carefully masked disdain. After all, I was the scandal of Wall Street – the jilted fiancée who’d dared to curse her sister’s engagement. The thought made something bitter twist in my stomach.
The secretary gestured to the familiar oak doors. I took a deep breath, straightened my spine, and knocked.
“Come in.”
Old Mr. Stark sat behind his massive mahogany desk, the Wall Street Journal spread out before him like a judge’s verdict. Sunlight streamed through the floor–to–ceiling windows behind him, turning Him into a silhouette of power and authority. He looked up as I please, have entered, and for a moment, I caught a glimpse of that old warmth in his smile, like an echo of happier times. “Summer,
seat.
“Mr. Stark.” I remained standing, maintaining a professional distance, “You wanted to see me?”
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