Sophia Bennet stood proudly at the centre of the round table sitting the board of directors for synergy brands inc. She has their full attention... This was her moment. Holding her laser pointer firmly she continued; "...and with this campaign," Sophia continued smoothly, her voice steady, "we can guarantee a 20% increase in brand visibility within the first three months. Our competitors won't be able to keep up, and we'll have an exclusive partnership with influencers across all major platforms."
Her boss, Mr Kingston looked at her approvingly... Nodding his head as she spoke. She preened on the inside this might help get a promotion in the near future.
Just as she clicked on the next slide on the massive screen. The sound of the door creaking gains her attention. As the door to the conference room swung open, all eyes turned to see Ethan Cole saunter in with an effortless air of confidence. Tall and commanding, Ethan's presence alone seemed to draw the room's attention. His dark, tousled hair was styled in a way that looked deliberately casual yet impeccably groomed, a style that somehow managed to look both sophisticated and relaxed.He wore a tailored navy suit that accentuated his athletic build, the jacket slightly unbuttoned to reveal a crisp, white dress shirt underneath. The top button of his shirt was undone, and his dark, silk tie hung loosely around his neck, giving him a slightly rebellious edge despite the formal setting. His well-polished shoes made a subtle clack against the hardwood floor as he walked, adding an air of authority to his every step.Ethan's sharp jawline and defined features were complemented by a charismatic smile that seemed to effortlessly charm everyone in the room. His deep-set, hazel eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, as if he knew he was about to shake things up and couldn't wait to see the reactions. When he spoke, his voice was smooth and assured, carrying an undertone of relaxed confidence that only heightened the effect of his entrance.As he made his way to an empty seat, his nonchalant demeanor contrasted starkly with the intensity of Sophia's presentation. His casual yet deliberate interruption was like a splash of cold water on a carefully crafted performance, and his easygoing charm seemed to amplify the disruption.Sophia watched, barely containing her frustration, as Ethan's presence shifted the atmosphere in the room. His confident, almost too-cool-for-school attitude stood in sharp contrast to her meticulously prepared pitch, and his effortless charisma threatened to overshadow her hard-earned expertise.Ethan's appearance and demeanor were a perfect blend of handsome and infuriating, a combination that not only disrupted Sophia's presentation but also left a lasting impression on everyone in the room.
" Sorry I'm late". He says in a smooth deep voice causing others to be amused by his sweet non challancy. This makes Sophia annoyed.. ' They find him amusing even when he is wrong '
"As I was saying, the influencer partnerships will give us leverage to reach—"Hold on a second," Ethan interrupted, leaning back in his chair, one arm draped lazily over the backrest. "I don't think that's the best approach with this demographic."Sophia's hand froze mid-air, the laser pointer trembling slightly. She turned toward him, barely able to contain her frustration."Excuse me?" she asked, trying to keep her voice level."The influencer partnerships," Ethan continued, casually pulling out a notepad. "They're a bit outdated, don't you think? This target audience—millennials and Gen Z—they're more likely to trust peer reviews or micro-influencers. I'd suggest focusing more on user-generated content or building a community through interactive experiences."The room grew silent, the executives now turning their attention from Sophia to Ethan. Even Mr. Kingston raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Ethan's suggestion. Ethan, naturally, noticed this and smiled as if he had just solved all of their marketing problems.Sophia could feel the heat rising to her face. She had spent weeks perfecting this strategy, meticulously analyzing data and trends, yet here was Ethan—late, unprepared, and already poking holes in her work. Worse, the executives were actually considering his point.Her mind raced. Ethan's suggestion wasn't terrible, but the timing couldn't have been worse. This was her presentation. Her pitch. She wasn't about to let him derail it.With a forced smile, she responded. "Thank you, Ethan, but I've analyzed the market extensively, and influencer partnerships, especially with larger names, still provide significant ROI. While user-generated content is valuable, we're aiming for quick, large-scale engagement—something peer reviews can't provide as effectively."Mr. Kingston glanced between them, intrigued by the budding tension. Ethan, not backing down, leaned forward slightly, his eyes locked on hers."Maybe," Ethan said, his tone softer but still challenging, "but it wouldn't hurt to pivot a bit. The market is shifting quickly. We wouldn't want to lose touch with the younger, more engaged audience. I can pull some data later if you want."Sophia's Response:Sophia clenched her fists under the table. She wasn't going to lose control, not in front of these people. She took a deep breath and nodded curtly."I appreciate the suggestion," she said, her voice tight, "but I'm confident in the strategy I've developed. If we need adjustments down the line, we'll make them. For now, let's stick to the plan."She moved the presentation forward, though she could feel the executives still contemplating Ethan's suggestion. The room's energy had shifted, and it was all because of him.