Walking into Maxwell's office felt like entering a lion's den. It wasn't that I feared him it was the smirk on his face, the one he'd been wearing ever since that stupid kiss.
"Mr. Maxwell," I began, my tone sharp as a blade, "I need your help."
He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms as if he'd been expecting me. "Oh, so you need me now?" he teased, his lips twitching into that annoying smile.
"Yes, I do," I replied, refusing to let him get under my skin. "The CEO board meeting is tomorrow, and I need to convince them that my gender doesn't define my ability to lead. I need you to support me."
He raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. But before we get into all that, let's talk about the kiss."
I froze, glaring at him. "What kiss?"
"The one you gave me after Lucas embarrassed you in front of everyone," he said, sitting up straight. "Don't act like it didn't mean anything, Ava. It wasn't just a kiss, it was passionate."
I felt my cheeks heat up but quickly masked it with a scoff. "It was nothing, Mr. Maxwell. A mistake. A comeback. Nothing more. So, are you going to help me or dwell on something that means absolutely nothing?"
Maxwell stood up, walking around his desk until he was inches away from me. His blue eyes locked onto mine, a mix of amusement and something else I couldn't quite place.
"You're so arrogant," he said, shaking his head with a chuckle. "But fine. I'll help you."
"Good," I snapped, turning to leave.
"But," he called after me, "don't think this conversation is over."
I didn't bother responding. My focus was on tomorrow's meeting. Nothing and no one not Maxwell, not Lucas, and certainly not some outdated mindset was going to stop me from taking what was mine.
The CEO Board Meeting
The boardroom was filled with the company's most influential players. The air was thick with tension as I walked in, Maxwell by my side. Lucas was already there, sitting at the far end of the table with his trademark smug grin.
I ignored him, taking my seat at the head of the table a spot that would soon be officially mine.
Once everyone had settled, I stood up, my voice steady and strong. "Good morning, everyone. I called this meeting to address some pressing changes in our leadership structure."
Lucas leaned back, arms crossed, his expression mocking. "Pressing changes?" he repeated. "Care to elaborate?"
I shot him a cold glare. "Effective immediately, Lucas is dismissed from his position as a member of the executive board."
The room erupted in murmurs, and Lucas shot out of his chair. "You can't do that!"
"I can and I just did," I said, my voice slicing through the noise. "As of today, I am the CEO of this company. This is my father's legacy, and I won't let someone like you tarnish it any further."
One of the rival CEOs, an older man with graying hair and a condescending tone, stood up. "This is absurd," he said. "How can I trust my company's transactions with a woman who likely cares more about handbags and shoes than serious business matters? My company isn't safe. I'm dropping every contract I have with this organization."
The room went silent. I clenched my fists under the table, fighting the urge to lash out.
"Are you finished, Mr. Haynes?" I asked, my voice deceptively calm.
"For now," he sneered. "But let me make one thing clear: if Lucas is removed and you take over, my company will pull every single contract we have with yours. I can't risk the safety of my investments on your… emotions."
"Your contracts?" I repeated, standing taller. "You mean the ones my team single-handedly salvaged when your company faced bankruptcy three years ago? Or perhaps you're referring to the deals you couldn't close without my recommendations? Let's not rewrite history, Mr. Haynes."
Before he could retort, Maxwell shot up from his chair, his voice cutting through the room like a blade.
"With all due respect, Mr. Haynes," he said, his voice calm but firm, "your comment is not only outdated but deeply offensive. Gender has nothing to do with someone's ability to lead. Ava has proven time and time again that she's more than capable of running this company. And if you're too blinded by prejudice to see that, then perhaps you're the one who isn't safe to work with."
Haynes scoffed. "Of course, Maxwell, you'd support her. A kiss doesn't count as a qualification."
The room erupted into murmurs, and I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Maxwell's jaw tightened as he slammed his hand on the table.
"Watch your tone," he snapped, his voice low and threatening. "This is a boardroom, not a gossip column. If you have a real argument, present it. Otherwise, sit down."
Haynes looked like he wanted to say more, but before he could, another figure rose from the table.
"Enough!"
The voice was commanding, cutting through the noise like a whip. It was Mr. Victor Knight, one of the most respected figures in the room. Everyone fell silent, their eyes now on him.
"Mr. Haynes," Victor began, his tone laced with disappointment, "I expected better from you. Your remarks are not only disrespectful but dangerously ignorant. Gender has never determined capability, and Ava is living proof of that."
Haynes shifted uncomfortably in his seat but said nothing.
Victor turned to the rest of the board, his voice steady and firm. "Let me remind all of you about something many seem to have conveniently forgotten. Five years ago, when this company was in shambles, it was Ava who stepped in and saved the day. Lucas wasn't even part of the picture back then. Her strategies not only stabilized our operations but also led to one of the most profitable years we've ever had."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room.
"And let's not forget," Victor continued, his gaze sharp as he looked directly at Lucas, "when Ava was leading, she collected only 24 percent of the profits as her share. Lucas, on the other hand, increased it to 35 percent during his tenure. And what did we get in return? Declining profits, poor decisions, and endless scandals. If you're worried about the safety of your investments, I'd say they're safer in Ava's hands than they ever were in his."
The silence that followed was deafening. Even Lucas, who had been fuming moments ago, looked utterly defeated.
Haynes cleared his throat, attempting to regain his composure. "Well… I suppose there's merit in what you're saying, but.."
"No 'buts,'" Victor interrupted sharply. "If you want to withdraw your contracts, go ahead. But don't expect to find the same level of competence or loyalty elsewhere. The rest of us recognize Ava's value, and we're prepared to stand by her."
Maxwell sat back in his chair, smirking as if to say I told you so. I, on the other hand, felt a surge of gratitude toward Victor but kept my expression neutral.
"Thank you, Mr. Knight," I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "Now, unless there are any further objections, I believe we can proceed with finalizing Lucas's dismissal."
Derek, our lawyer, stepped forward, placing the dismissal papers in front of Lucas.
"You need to sign these," Derek said firmly. "Now."
Lucas hesitated, his hands trembling slightly as he stared at the documents. "I won't sign this," he said, his voice a weak echo of his earlier bravado. "You can't force me."
I leaned forward, my gaze locking onto his. "You're playing with fire, Lucas. Sign those papers, or I will personally see to it that you rot in jail. Do you think I'm bluffing?"
Lucas glanced around the room, looking for support, but found none. Finally, with a defeated sigh, he grabbed the pen and scrawled his signature across the papers.
Derek handed me my copy, and I didn't even look at Lucas as I slid it into my folder.
"This is just the beginning," I said, my voice cold. "You're done here, Lucas. Don't let me catch you near this company or me ever again."
"Ladies and gentlemen," I said, standing tall, "effective immediately, I am the CEO of this company. And let me make one thing clear: I will not tolerate disrespect, incompetence, or disloyalty. This is my father's legacy, and I intend to protect it with everything I have."
The room erupted into applause, led by Victor and Maxwell. Even Haynes looked begrudgingly impressed.
As the meeting adjourned, Maxwell leaned in close. "Well, boss, looks like you're finally where you belong."
I shot him a warning glance, but a small smile crept onto my lips. "Let's see how long you can stay out of trouble, Mr.Maxwell."
He chuckled. "With you around? Trouble seems inevitable."
Derek, who had been sitting quietly at the side, stepped forward. "Lucas," he said, handing him a badge, "this is your official dismissal notice. Your access to all company resources is revoked as of now."
Lucas grabbed the badge, his jaw clenched. He looked at me one last time, his eyes filled with anger and defeat.
"You've made a huge mistake, Ava," he said
"No, Lucas," I replied, my voice steady. "My only mistake was trusting you. Now get out of my company."
Maxwell leaned over and whispered, "Well done, CEO Ava."
I shot him a look but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto my face. For once, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.