As Alex was lost in his thoughts about tomorrow's breakfast, Sophia gently reminded him, "Sir, for today's meeting, I've made all the necessary arrangements. It will be starting at any moment now." However, she received no response. Alex seemed to be deep in thought, a slight smile playing on his lips. Just as Sophia was about to call his attention again, a message beeped on his phone, abruptly pulling him back to reality. She noticed a quick and unsettling change in his demeanor as he read the message—the warm, smiling face turned cold and distant.
This was the first time Sophia had seen this side of Alex. Before she could say anything, he looked at her, his expression softening slightly. "Postpone the meeting by half an hour," he instructed. "And, Ms. Carter, ask Ethan to come to my office urgently. Also, ensure no one disturbs us during that time."
Sophia quickly noted his instructions and left the room. Within a few minutes, Ethan stood before Alex, sensing the gravity of the situation. "Boss, you called for me?"
Alex took a deep breath, his gaze serious. It was clear that something significant was weighing on his mind. Ethan, ever perceptive, recognized the seriousness of the moment. "Mr. Blackwood, whatever it is, you can tell me. I'll do everything in my power to help."
Alex nodded, acknowledging Ethan's loyalty. "I know, Ethan. You're my right hand. If I can't discuss my problems with you, then who else would I confide in?"
"Then why the hesitation, sir? Please, tell me what's troubling you."
Alex's expression darkened as he explained, "I just received a message from Daniel. Marcus Langston is trying to steal our investors in America. This is a very serious matter."
Ethan's demeanor shifted to match the seriousness of the situation. "This is indeed critical, boss. What would you like me to do?"
"Keep a close eye on Langston," Alex ordered. "We can't afford to lose any ground to him."
With that, Alex made a video call to Daniel. As soon as the call connected, Daniel spoke up, "Brother, don't worry. I won't let Marcus win this time. I'm going to conduct a meeting with all our investors here and ensure they remain confident in us."
Alex was impressed by Daniel's determination. "It's good to see you upset by Marcus's move but turning that into resolve to win. It shows you're growing up, Daniel. But don't act too boldly yet—it might alert Marcus, and he'll only come up with another scheme against us. For now, hold secret, confidential meetings with our most trusted investors. In front of others, act as if you're demotivated. My gut tells me there's someone on our side feeding information to Marcus. Find them first, and then we'll make our next move. And don't worry, I'll be with you in a few days."
Daniel nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Got it, brother. I'll handle things on my end. Just get here soon."
As the call ended, Alex leaned back in his chair, his mind already working on the next steps. He knew this was only the beginning of the battle against Marcus Langston, but with Ethan and Daniel by his side, he was ready to face whatever came next.
Alex, who was deep in thought, turned his gaze to Ethan. "For everyone else, I've hired a new secretary. But you know the truth. I don't want Sophia involved in all these matters, so let her handle only random tasks. The important things will be managed by you."
For the first time, Ethan seemed to agree reluctantly, a rare occurrence in their discussions. Sensing something was off, Alex asked, "Do you have something to say about this?"
Ethan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Boss, by giving her only random work, don't you think it's an injustice towards... the Lady Boss? After all, she joined this position to learn something valuable, to prove herself. By limiting her responsibilities, you're also limiting her potential. And considering she's going to be our future Lady Boss, she needs to be well-versed in the company's operations. Otherwise, if people start doubting her capabilities, it might hurt her pride. Instead of drawing her closer, it could drive her away—or worse, she might leave the company entirely. I apologize if I've overstepped."
Alex listened intently, his expression serious throughout Ethan's reasoning. After a moment of reflection, he sighed and said, "You're right, Ethan. I made that decision based on my emotions, not logic. I didn't consider things from her perspective. Thank you for stopping me from making a mistake."
Ethan nodded, relieved that Alex understood. "I'll handle Langston, but for everything else, you need to involve her. She must learn and grow, not only for the company's sake but for her own as well."
Alex agreed, realizing that Ethan's words were not just advice but a necessary shift in how he approached Sophia's role. He knew that shielding her too much would only do more harm than good. "You're right, Ethan. I need to let her grow into this role and support her, not shelter her."
With that, Alex resolved to change his approach, understanding that to truly support Sophia, he had to involve her fully in the company's operations. She wasn't just an employee—she was someone who needed to learn, grow, and eventually lead by his side.
Alex glanced at his watch; the time for the meeting was drawing near. "Ethan, it's almost time. Go and gather information about Marcus's next move. Also, let Sophia know to meet me in the meeting hall. Give her a brief rundown of what today's meeting will entail; she'll learn the rest by staying close to me."
Ethan nodded, understanding the importance of the task. "I'll handle it, Boss."
As Ethan prepared to leave, Alex added, "And Ethan, make sure she's comfortable but well-prepared. It's her first real exposure to the inner workings of the company, so guide her as needed."
Ethan nodded once more, appreciating the trust Alex placed in him. "Understood, Boss."
With that, Ethan bid goodbye to Alex and headed off to carry out his instructions. As he walked down the hallway, he thought about how this meeting would be a significant moment for Sophia—her first step into the more complex and demanding side of her role. He knew it was crucial to prepare her well, both for her sake and for the future Alex envisioned for her within the company.
Meanwhile, Alex straightened his suit, readying himself for the meeting ahead, knowing that Sophia's presence was as vital to his future as any business deal he was about to discuss.
Sophia walked confidently toward the meeting hall, her notepad and pen in hand. As she approached, she noticed Alex heading in the same direction. They met in the hallway, exchanging a brief glance before entering the meeting room together.
Upon entering, Sophia was struck by the sight before her. The Board of Directors, all middle-aged and seasoned professionals, were already seated. Despite their age and experience, they all rose to their feet as Alex entered the room, greeting him with a respectful "Good noon." Alex, the youngest among them, commanded such respect that it left Sophia in awe. The way he carried himself, the quiet authority he exuded—it all made her realize just how remarkable he was.
Once Alex took his seat, the others followed suit. Sophia noticed the empty chair beside him, where Ethan once sat. She took her place there, feeling the weight of the moment. This was no ordinary meeting; this was her first true step into Alex's world.
Alex began the meeting by introducing Sophia. "This is Ms. Carter, my new secretary. From today onward, she will be responsible for the tasks Ethan previously handled."
The announcement stirred curiosity among the board members. Sophia could sense their surprise, the unspoken questions hanging in the air. Why was a new, young secretary suddenly taking on such important responsibilities? Why had Alex made this change?
But none of them dared to voice their questions. Alex, ever perceptive, noticed the curiosity in their eyes but chose to ignore it. Instead, he signaled for the meeting to begin, shifting the focus back to business.