Chapter 31

Lily stepped into the meeting room, her heart racing with confusion. She had no idea why Lewis, the CEO, wanted her there; her department was completely separate from the project being discussed. As she entered, she spotted Mia sitting at the table, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw Lily.

“What are you doing here?” Mia whispered, leaning closer. “I thought you were sick!”

“The assistant told me Lewis wanted me in this meeting,” Lily replied, her voice strained as she held a tissue box in one hand, continuously wiping her running nose. She felt the familiar tickle in her throat and suppressed another sneeze, but it escaped anyway, echoing in the otherwise quiet room.

Mia frowned, concern evident on her face. “You shouldn’t be here if you’re not feeling well. You look terrible!”

“I know,” Lily admitted, her head pounding and her body aching. “But I can’t just ignore Lewis’s request.” She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the discomfort was overwhelming.

As the meeting commenced, Lewis entered, his presence commanding the room. He glanced around before locking eyes with Lily, and she felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. Instead of showing any concern for her condition, he dove straight into the agenda, completely focused on the business at hand.

Lily sat there, struggling to focus as her throat throbbed and her head swam. She wiped her nose again, feeling the heat of embarrassment rise as she tried to maintain her professionalism. With each sneeze, her irritation grew; it felt inconsiderate that he didn’t even acknowledge her struggle.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense as Lewis, the CEO, stood at the head of the table, his expression serious. “The last three project deals have failed,” he began, his voice steady but filled with urgency. “And the one project we had resulted in significant losses. The company is on the edge of bankruptcy. Do you even have any idea what the company is facing?”

Lily shifted in her seat, feeling the weight of his words. She had been speaking quietly with Mia, and now she felt as if the spotlight had suddenly turned on her. “The company doesn’t belong to just one owner; it belongs to all of us,” Lewis continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. “If you don’t work properly, how will we all gain? That’s why I’m here. The company is losing shares, deals, and projects, and we’re sitting here as if nothing has happened. Why do you think the company pays you? Just to sit and chat?”

Lily looked up, startled, thinking he was directing his frustration at her. She had been trying to focus on her conversation with Mia, but now she straightened in her chair, feeling self-conscious. Just as she was about to respond, Lewis called her name, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.

“Ms. Everhart, stand up,” he ordered.

As she stood, a sudden sneeze caught her off guard, and a few employees chuckled at the unexpected interruption. However, Lewis remained dead serious, his cold, strict eyes silencing the laughter instantly. The room fell into a tense silence as everyone awaited his next words.

“Did you prepare the report for the last two months’ account details?” he asked, his gaze fixed on her.

“Yes, I did, and I filed it as well,” Lily replied, trying to maintain her composure despite feeling unwell.

“What did you find odd?” he pressed, his tone firm.

Lily took a deep breath, recalling her findings. “When I was not here, there were many transactions made in the name of various projects, but the projects did not meet their intended goals. I also prepared a project budget report, which ultimately failed.”

“Good,” Lewis said, nodding slightly. “I expect everyone to work like Ms. Everhart from now on. All necessary transactions on the project will require her approval before proceeding. I want new project ideas, and I want to see everyone working hard. If we fail this time, I will fire every single one of you.” His warning hung in the air, heavy and foreboding.

With that, Lewis turned and left the room, leaving a stunned silence in his wake. Lily felt a mix of shock and anxiety wash over her, while the other employees exchanged nervous glances. The weight of his words lingered, and the reality of their situation began to sink in.

As the meeting concluded, the atmosphere was charged with uncertainty. Lily sat back down, her mind racing. She had never seen Lewis so serious, and the gravity of his warning made her realize just how precarious their situation had become. Everyone seemed to be contemplating the implications of his words, and Lily couldn’t shake the feeling that the pressure was now on all of them to turn things around.

****

Lewis stood in front of the large window in his office, his back facing the room as he gazed out at the sprawling city skyline. The view was lost on him, overshadowed by the turmoil in his mind. He wiped his nose with a tissue, feeling the irritation of a cold settling in. A headache throbbed at his temples, and his throat felt raw, making each breath a struggle.

On the phone with his mother, his frustration was evident. “I know, Mom, but I can’t just drop everything to—” He paused to stifle a sneeze, then continued, “I can’t focus on personal matters right now. The company is in crisis, and I have to handle this.”

His mother’s voice came through the receiver, insistent and caring. “You need to take care of yourself, Lewis. You can’t help the company if you’re sick. Have you eaten? You should rest. You’re working too hard.”

Just then, the door to his office creaked open, and Lily walked in, having just come from the meeting room. She had been reflecting on the intense discussion they had just had about the company’s struggles and Lewis’s stern warnings. As she entered, she overheard the tail end of his conversation with his mother. For a moment, she stood frozen in the doorway, her heart softening at the sight of him. Despite their previous interactions, where she had often felt irritation towards him, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.

******