Chapter 3: The Boardroom Blitz
At 8:00 AM on Monday, Adrian marched into the towering glass headquarters of Halcyon Hotels in Midtown Manhattan. He was wearing his most intimidating suit, ready to demand that my supposed employer fire me for insubordination. He pushed past the lobby security, shouting that he was the husband of their assistant.
"I need to speak to Julian Ward immediately," Adrian demanded at the executive desk. "Your employee, Elena, has stolen from my family, and I am here to ensure she never works in this city again."
The receptionist didn't flinch, simply pressing a button on her desk phone. Two massive security guards materialized from the shadows, flanking Adrian before he could take another step toward the elevators. "Mr. Ward is expecting you in the penthouse boardroom, Mr. Vale," she said with a knowing smirk.
Adrian rode the private elevator up, adjusting his tie and preparing his usual arrogant monologue. When the silver doors parted, he strode into the sunlit boardroom, expecting to intimidate an aging CEO. Instead, he stopped dead in his tracks.
I was sitting at the head of the massive mahogany table, wearing a tailored Chanel suit. Julian Ward, the legendary billionaire founder, stood proudly behind my chair with his hand resting on my shoulder. "Adrian," I smiled, gesturing to the empty seat across from me. "Please, sit down and let's discuss my employment."
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Adrian’s jaw practically hit the floor as he looked frantically between me and the billionaire. "Elena? What the hell is going on here?" he choked out, suddenly looking very small.
"I told you I worked in a family-owned company," I replied softly, sliding a massive stack of legal documents across the table. "You just never bothered to ask which family."
