While Raven was focused on her recovery in the rehabilitation center, the world outside continued to turn, though not without its own set of challenges.
In a spacious office adorned with dark mahogany furniture and thick, velvet drapes that muted the afternoon sun, two figures sat across from each other.
The air was heavy with unspoken tension, accentuated by the low hum of the air conditioning and the faint ticking of a clock on the wall.
The woman, Sarah, dressed in a form-fitting, dark red dress that exuded both confidence and a hint of rebellion, leaned forward slightly.
Her perfectly styled hair framed her sharp features, and her blue eyes, which could captivate almost any man, looked intently at Martin as she asked, "So, it's confirmed? The president will leave the office for six months. Can you tell me where she is going?"
Martin, a man known for his precision and unflappable demeanor, adjusted his rimless glasses with a deliberate, almost mechanical motion before responding.
"Yes, it's true. She'll announce her decision at the afternoon meeting. As for where she's going, she didn't confide in me," he said, his voice steady but devoid of emotion, his gaze cool and unyielding.
Sarah's shoulders slumped as she released a heavy sigh. Her gaze dropped to the floor, and she toyed with the edge of her dress, frustration evident in her clenched jaw.
She had been with this company for nine years, having clawed her way up through relentless dedication and strategic networking.
The entertainment industry was dominated by three major companies, each ruling a different sector.
Astor Entertainment was one of these big three, dominating the film, movie, series, and drama sectors.
Despite facing numerous challenges and competing against those who doubted her capabilities, Sarah leveraged her family's connections and her own hard-earned reputation to rise to head a department.
Yet, despite her accomplishments, the new president seemed to view her with skepticism, a fact that gnawed at Sarah's ambitions and pride.
"Well, let's see what she says," Sarah replied. "I just hope she doesn't make a bad decision."
With their meeting concluded and the afternoon approaching, the focus shifted to the heart of the company's power.
The President's Office
The president's office was a sanctuary of calm and order, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city skyline.
Shelves lined with leather-bound books and awards reflected her two years of achievements, while a sleek, minimalist desk stood at the center, meticulously organized and bathed in natural light.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across President Eleanor Blake's private study.
In the quiet solitude, she reviewed the final details of her departure.
Although she had only informed her so-called right-hand man this morning, her departure was not something that happened unexpectedly.
She had planned to take a vacation for a long time; it was just that now was the right time, time to pursue love.
Eleanor had taken office two years ago at the age of 24, following the death of her father. During these two years, she had come to the office every day, including weekends. She had long planned to take a vacation but now thought, 'I will go to the rehabilitation center for vacation. If people knew, they would definitely think that I'm crazy.'
Eleanor smoothed the creases on her speech with a steady hand, her fingers lingering on the paper as she took a deep breath. The familiar rhythm of her words brought a momentary calm to her racing thoughts.
And so, the afternoon quickly arrived.
Today, the atmosphere of the company was livelier than usual because of the notice that the president would announce the next steps for the company. The lively atmosphere was especially evident in the grand conference room, with its elegant decor, complete with chandeliers and large portraits of past leaders.
The employees took their seats, and, of course, the members of the board sat a little closer to the center than the employees. Although the employees were whispering to each other, it was clear that the board members were more concerned about the meeting, their discussions marked by frowns and serious expressions.
How could they be calm? What if the president made a radical decision that endangered their interests?
As speculation filled the room about the upcoming announcement, Eleanor glided into the conference room, her posture straight and confident. She met the gazes of the employees with an unshakeable calm, a small, composed smile playing at her lips.
She greeted some familiar employees and the board members politely, then surveyed the room calmly. Due to her intimidating temperament, some employees didn't dare to look her in the eyes.
As she cleared her throat, the room fell silent.
"First of all, thank you for coming on such short notice," Eleanor began, her voice steady. "As mentioned in the notice, I have important news to share. It concerns the next steps for Astor Entertainment in the entertainment industry."
"Two years ago, the company was in turmoil following the death of the president, who was my father at that time," she continued. "Our rivals took advantage of that period and made many breakthroughs in the film industry, threatening our hegemony and almost catching up with us. Finally, with the help and hard work of everyone in the company, we resolved all the troubles, and now I can announce with pride that we are no longer threatened by them. Instead, we should take advantage of our momentum and start attacking the music industry."
As Eleanor finished her announcement, the room erupted into cheers and clapping. Employees exchanged enthusiastic high-fives and congratulatory nods, their faces flushed with excitement.
It had been a tough two years for the company, with the president not even taking a holiday, but now, seeing the new president's ambition, the employees and board members were excited.
They all had shares and, of course, hoped the company could be more ambitious so that they could make more money. Although technically, they couldn't influence Eleanor since it was a family company for 80 years now, and she had more than 51% of the shares, plus the influence of the Blake family in the company.
Eleanor's eyes scanned the crowd, noting the rising excitement. She gave a satisfied nod, her lips curving into a confident smile as she prepared to lay out the next steps with unwavering authority.
"Very good, since everyone is okay with the new objective, we need a plan to achieve it. I have planned two steps with various phases to reach our goal."
"Our first step is to consolidate our status in the film industry. Although we no longer fear being threatened, we can't relax. As you all know, the record for the most investment in a year in the film industry is held by our company, with a total of $3.2 billion. We also hold the record for the most invested movie, with $537 million. Speaking of it, we are the only company that has spent more than $500 million on a movie since the virtual advent."
"This year, we will make a significant breakthrough and solidify our unshakable status in the industry."