The tension in the conference room was suffocating. Every single employee looked like they'd just sprinted through a battlefield and barely survived.
The moment James Walker, the CEO of Walker Corporation, stood up, everyone straightened in unison. They couldn't help but feel the weight of his presence, as cold and intimidating as ever."Dismissed." His voice was like ice, sending shivers down their spines.
As he exited, his assistant, Ryan, followed closely, leaving a trail of unease behind them.
The moment the door closed, the staff let out a collective breath, tension evaporating like steam.
The meeting had been brutal. Their boss had been ruthless, but that was normal. They knew better than to cross James Walker. There were rumors, and everyone knew someone who had tried—and failed—at getting on his good side. No one came out of those situations unscathed.
In his lavish office high above the city, James settled into his leather chair, fingers steepled before his face. The floor-to-ceiling windows framed a view that spoke of power and wealth. He listened as Ryan updated him on the situation with Emily Carter.
"She's awake," Ryan reported, scanning his notes. "The doctors say no long-term brain damage.
Muscle atrophy, but that'll be fixed with therapy. They think she'll make a full recovery physically in six months. As for emotional trauma, the doctors suggested therapy, but she declined."
James didn't show any emotion, but his eyes flickered with something cold. "Who has she spoken to?"
"Her mother was the first to visit. Then, her manager and assistants came, but she fired them all immediately."
James raised an eyebrow. Fired them? That wasn't what he had expected.
"What about her father?" he asked, voice low and dangerous.
Ryan hesitated, flipping through his notes. "He hasn't visited yet, but his assistant checked in on her. We also found out that he's been keeping her recovery under wraps. His people paid off her fired staff to stay quiet."
James leaned back, his lips curling into a sneer. "Of course. Victor Carter, always the controlling type."
"Is he looking into the accident again?" Ryan asked, though he knew the answer.
"No. The evidence is long gone," James replied, coldly. "Make sure he stays out of it. He won't find anything different than what the police already have."
Ryan nodded. "Understood."
There was a moment of silence before James spoke again, his voice dark. "Does my brother know?"
Ryan paused before answering. "I don't think so. Everything's been sealed tight. Unless Emily personally contacts him, I doubt he'll find out."
James exhaled, relieved. "Good. Keep her away from Adam and that fiancée of his. Our families don't need any more scandals."
"Of course, sir. Anything else?"
James glanced out the window, eyes narrowing. "No. You're dismissed."
Ryan bowed and left, the door closing softly behind him. James sat in his chair, staring out at the city, lost in thought.
He had a plan, but there were pieces he still needed to move into place. Emily was awake, but she had no idea how much danger she was in.
And he would make sure she stayed that way—far from the chaos of his world.