"Yeah, I made it. Now, he wouldn't have to complain that I am late on my first day." Nora mumbled to herself.
She had arrived at the company at exactly 6:45 AM, her heart pounding in anticipation of how the day would be.
The security guard barely glanced at her new ID card before waving her through.
The elevator ride to the top floor felt endless. When the doors finally opened, she found Ethan's secretary, Mrs. Thompson, already at her desk.
"You must be Miss Hayes. Mr. Black is waiting in his office." The older woman said, her stern face showing no emotion.
"He has arrived already?" Nora thought to herself after nodding to Mrs. Thompson.
"A serious businessman indeed! No wonder he doesn't tolerate nonsense. He definitely practices what he preaches." She couldn't help but observe as she walked toward the imposing double doors.
Before she could knock, Ethan's voice called out. He had sensed her footsteps approaching.
"Come in, Miss Hayes."
Nora stepped into the office and found him standing by the giant window, with his back to her.
"Six minutes early. Good." Ethan noted without turning around.
"Good morning, Mr. Black." Nora greeted formally.
He finally turned and his piercing stern eyes scanned her appearance. He was satisfied at what he was seeing and he nodded curtly.
"Your first task for today is to accompany me to a meeting. Take notes during the discussion, in case I miss anything or want to refer back to any part of the discussion for credibility. Speak only if spoken to." He told her.
"Yes, sir." Nora replied firmly.
"And Miss Hayes?" His called out, his voice dropping lower.
"Remember what I told you yesterday about discretion? I don't joke with it..." He reminded that and the threat in his tone was unmistakable.
"Very well, sir. I understand." Nora assured him and he nodded satisfyingly.
"Go meet Mrs. Thompson, she is going to help you settle in. We shall leave for the meeting in one hour." He told her.
Nora nodded politely and walked out of the office.
~~~~~~~~~~
The meeting turned out to be at a high-end restaurant across town.
Three men in expensive suits were already seated when Nora and her boss arrived. And Nora could notice how the men all tensed when Ethan approached the table.
After a brief formal greetings and introduction, Nora took her seat beside Ethan, facing the three men.
"Gentlemen. I trust you have reconsidered my proposal?" Ethan began smoothly.
One man, older than the rest, cleared his throat.
"Mr. Black, we have reviewed your offer, but there is..." The man had just begun but Ethan cut him off.
"But there is nothing, Mr. George. You are here to sign, not negotiate." Ethan said coldly.
Nora swallowed hard as she listened with rapt attention, feeling uncertain about what to record.
"The tension in here is suffocating." She thought to herself as her eyes darted between the three men.
"My family has owned this company for three generations." Mr. George protested weakly.
"And now it is time to let go of it." Ethan replied firmly. Then he pulled out a folder and slid it across the table.
"Sign it, or what happened to Tems Holdings last month will seem like a pleasant fairy tale compared to what awaits you." He added. Even Nora who didn't know what happened could imagine how terrible that meant as she observed the men's reactions.
"Tems Holdings got burnt down mysteriously and the CEO was found dead in an apparent suicide." One of the younger men whispered to Mr. George and the older man's lips parted in shock.
Ethan, who had been watching the exchange, smirked evily.
"Do what would be best for you, Mr George." He said simply.
Without another word, the older man reluctantly signed the papers. Nora could observe how he looked defeated.
~~~~~~~~
Back at the office, as Nora organized the signed documents while Ethan made calls, she couldn't shake off Mr. George's expression.
"Miss Hayes, come here." Ethan called suddenly.
"Yes, sir?" She approached his desk cautiously.
"You seemed... affected by this morning's meeting." He stated as a matter of fact. Nora was taken aback.
"I... no, sir. I was just—" She tried to lie.
"Lying doesn't suit you. You are wondering if what happened to Morrison was really a coincidence or my doing, aren't you?" He asked simply after interrupting her.
Nora's throat went dry.
"It is not my place to—"
"You are right, it is not." He began, moving closer.
"But since you will be privy to such meetings often, let me be clear: In business, Miss Hayes, there are winners and losers. I simply ensure I'm always the winner."
"Through any means necessary?" Nora blurted out before she could control herself.
A cold smile crept up Ethan's lips.
"Careful, Miss Hayes. Curiosity killed the cat." He said.
"Well, the cat was satisfied." She countered.
Instead of anger, amusement danced in Ethan's eyes.
"Interesting. Most people wouldn't dare talk back to me." He chuckled.
"I'm not most people." Nora replied gently.
"Right. Which is exactly why you are here but you should still tread carefully to not get on my nerves." He stated.
Before she could process his words, his phone buzzed. His expression changed as he read the message.
"Miss Hayes, It seems we have a leak in the company." Ethan said in a deadly low voice.
Nora furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
"Someone sent today's meeting details to the press." He turned his phone to show her an article already online: 'Black Industries' Hostile Takeover: Inside Source Reveals Threats and Coercion.'
"What?" Nora gasped.
"Interesting timing, wouldn't you say?" Ethan said, his eyes boring into her face.
"Especially since only few people knew the details of that meeting. Me, Mr. George, his subordinates..."
Then he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"And no insider from my end other than you."
"I didn't—" Nora started to protest, but he held up his hand.
"For your sake, Miss Hayes, I hope you remember what the contract said about punishment for betrayal." He said softly, which somehow made it more terrifying.
Nora's face fell.
"I can explain..." She muttered shakily but Ethan approached her menacingly.
"Save it!"