Chapter Three: The Promotion

The meeting room was already full when Claire and Mia walked in. Department heads, senior officers, and several people from Operations filled the seats around the long conference table. Low conversations filled the air as everyone waited.

Claire took the empty chair beside Mia and clutched the folder in her lap. At the head of the table sat Damian Sterling. He wore a perfectly tailored dark suit, his attention fixed on the documents in front of him. He didn’t look up when they entered.

The Operations Manager stood and cleared his throat.

“Good morning, everyone. Now that we’re all here, I’ll begin by introducing the new CEO of Sterling Forge Industries—Mr. Damian Sterling, only child of Mr. Edward Sterling and heir to the Sterling Royale Group. Sir, would you like to say a few words?”

Damian gave a short nod and rose.

“Let me make one thing clear,” he said. His voice was calm, even, and carried easily across the room. “I have high expectations, and I expect every one of you to meet them. I don’t tolerate incompetence, repeated mistakes, or lateness. If you can’t handle your responsibilities, there are plenty of people who can.”

He paused, letting the words settle.

“I didn’t come here to play around. Things are going to be different from now on. I expect discipline, efficiency, and excellence. I don’t care how long you’ve worked here or who you know. Nobody gets special treatment. Nobody is above accountability.”

His gaze moved slowly around the table, stopping briefly on each department head.

“If you make a mistake, you will be held responsible. If you fail to meet expectations, there will be consequences. I won’t make exceptions, and I won’t tolerate excuses. I’m here to get results. Make sure your work speaks for you. That’s all.”

He sat down, buttoned his jacket, and glanced at the Operations Manager.

“Continue.”

He hadn’t raised his voice once. He hadn’t needed to.

The Operations Manager cleared his throat again. “We’ll begin with the departmental reports. Ms. Ellis, you may start.”

Claire stood. For a second her eyes met Damian’s. The man from the hotel. She swallowed and forced herself to begin.

“Good morning, everyone. Welcome, Mr. Sterling. My name is Claire Ellis, Operations Assistant.” She gave a short nod and opened her folder. “Last week our department processed two hundred and forty-eight orders. Two hundred and twenty-one were completed. Twenty-seven remain pending due to supplier delays and stock shortages. We also identified two inventory discrepancies, which are currently under investigation. We’re following up with suppliers and reviewing our records to prevent further delays. Thank you.”

She sat down. Her hands were still trembling slightly. She risked a glance at Damian. His expression gave nothing away.

The rest of the reports followed. When the meeting finally ended, Claire and Mia returned to their desks.

Claire couldn’t settle. She kept replaying the moment their eyes met, wondering if he recognised her.

Beside her, Mia made a soft gasping sound and stared at her phone.

Claire managed a small smile. “What’s the matter, Mia?”

“It’s Mr. Damian Sterling,” Mia said, still looking at the screen.

Claire’s stomach tightened. “What about him?”

“He’s amazing.” Mia lowered her voice. “I looked him up. At sixteen he was already winning national academic and math awards. He graduated top of his class. He studied Business Administration and International Business in China, and he speaks Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish, French, and Korean. He won international competitions, built connections everywhere, joined the family company after graduation, handled major projects, expanded internationally, and closed huge deals. By twenty-five he became the youngest billionaire in the industry—and the official heir.” She paused, then added with a dreamy look, “Plus he’s really, really handsome. He has it all.”

Claire’s stomach dropped.

*Oh my God. I had a one-night stand with a billionaire.*

A moment later the Operations Manager appeared at their desks.

“Ms. Ellis. Mr. Sterling would like to see you concerning your report.”

Claire’s heart lurched. *He recognised me. Am I about to get fired?*

She took the elevator to the top floor. The hallway outside the CEO’s office was quiet enough to make her footsteps feel too loud. The double doors were tall and polished. She swallowed, raised her hand, and knocked.

“Mr. Sterling. It’s Claire Ellis. You requested to see me.”

“Come in.”

The voice was short, direct, and completely steady.

Claire opened the door and stepped inside, keeping her eyes lowered as much as she could.

“Take a seat, Ms. Ellis,” Damian said coldly.

She sat.

“The two inventory discrepancies you mentioned in your report. I want them investigated as soon as possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

“There’s another matter I’d like to address.” He looked at her directly. “What happened last night.”

Claire went still. So he did recognise her.

“I want you to forget it happened,” Damian said, voice flat. “And don’t mention it to anyone.”

He reached into a drawer, pulled out a single sheet of paper, and slid it across the desk toward her.

Claire stared at it, pulse racing.

“It’s a list of tasks,” he said. “You seem to have a habit of striking people before understanding their intentions, Ms. Ellis.”

Heat flooded Claire’s face. She stood and bowed her head. “I’m so sorry, sir. But you mistook me for a prostitute and reached for your wallet. The mistake was both of ours. I was drunk and couldn’t control myself, and you thought I was someone else. Please don't fire me.”

Damian let out a short, barely noticeable sigh. “I know I was at fault too. I wasn’t trying to pay you for sleeping with me. I was going to give you money for a cab. Then you slapped me and ran. And I’m not firing you.” He tapped the paper. “Look at the list.”

Claire picked it up. The first few lines made her blink.

*Organise and memorise my schedule for tomorrow.  

Pick me up from my house early in the morning and drive me to work.  

Arrange lunch.*

She looked up, confused. “Mr. Sterling… I don’t understand.”

“I just promoted you to my personal secretary. You start tomorrow.”

Claire stared at him. “Sir? Why am I suddenly being promoted?”

“I need a secretary. The position is vacant. You seem capable, so I’m giving you the job. But no mistakes, or you’ll be fired immediately.”

“I reviewed your employment records and performance evaluations. Your work has been consistently satisfactory, and your supervisors have noted your efficiency and attention to detail. The position is vacant, and I need someone capable of handling the responsibilities. That's why I chose you.”

Claire hesitated. “But, sir, I've never worked as a personal secretary before.”

“Then you'll learn.” His grey eyes settled on her. “I don't expect you to know everything on your first day, Ms. Ellis. I do expect you to learn quickly.”

She nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. You start tomorrow. Be at my residence by seven.”

“Your residence?” Claire repeated before she could stop herself.

Damian raised an eyebrow. “You are my personal secretary, Ms. Ellis. Did you think I intended to walk to work?”

Claire managed an awkward, slightly breathless chuckle. “No problem sir, I'll be there.”

She left the office in a daze and took the elevator back down to the fourth floor. When she reached her desk she finally let out a long breath.

Mia leaned over at once. “Claire, you’re back. What happened in there?”

“I just got promoted,” Claire said quietly. “I’m Damian Sterling’s personal secretary now.”

Mia’s eyes went wide. “What? That’s amazing.”

Claire sat down slowly. *Is it really?*

Mia kept talking, clearly excited. “But are you sure you can handle it? Being a personal secretary is hard. You handle their schedule, get their food, drive them around. You barely get time to rest. You have to be available almost all the time. Though for Damian Sterling…” She trailed off with a dreamy look. “I wouldn’t mind.”

Claire gave a small, tired chuckle. “Okay, Mia. I get it. You think he’s super hot.”

But inside, the thought kept circling.

She was now the personal secretary of the man who had taken her virginity—without even knowing her name.