Chapter 46

The elevator doors slid open on the 15th floor, and Lily stepped out into a bustling scene that contrasted sharply with the quiet determination she felt inside. The floor was alive with activity—photographers adjusting their cameras, stylists bustling around with makeup kits, and assistants shuffling equipment. In the center of it all stood Sarah, posing confidently in front of a backdrop, her expression a mix of sultry allure and practiced poise.

Lily’s heart raced as she walked toward the set, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. The vibrant lights illuminated the scene, but Lily felt an inner glow of confidence building within her. This was her moment to take control.

"STOP THE SHOOT!!"

As she approached, the chatter quieted, and heads turned. Whispers rippled through the crowd, a mix of surprise and curiosity. Sarah, noticing the shift in atmosphere, paused mid-pose, her expression morphing from confidence to confusion.

“What are you doing here, Lily?” Sarah snapped, her voice sharp and accusatory as she stepped off the platform. “This is a professional shoot, and you have no business interrupting it!”

Lily stopped a few feet away, her gaze steady and unwavering. “Actually, I do have business here, Sarah,” she replied, her voice calm but firm. “I’m the new CEO of Gray Enterprises, and I have every right to stop this shoot.”

Gasps of disbelief echoed around the room, and the crew exchanged glances, unsure of how to react. Sarah’s face flushed with anger, her eyes narrowing as she stepped closer to Lily, invading her personal space. “You think just because you have a title now, you can walk in here and dictate what happens? You’re a joke!” she spat.

Lily stood tall, her heart racing with adrenaline as she faced the crew. “This shoot is officially canceled,” she declared, her voice ringing with authority. “Sarah has violated a key clause in our company contract regarding brand representation, and I will not allow it to continue.”

The murmurs of disbelief rippled through the room, but Lily pressed on, her gaze unwavering. “As the new CEO, I have every right to enforce our company’s standards and uphold our values. Sarah’s actions today are unacceptable, and I will not tolerate them.”

Sarah’s face flushed with fury, her eyes narrowing as she stepped forward. “You think you can just kick me out like that? You’re nothing but a pathetic little girl playing CEO!” She shot back, her voice dripping with venom.

Lily met her glare, unflinching. “This isn’t just about you, Sarah. It’s about the integrity of Gray Enterprises. You’ve crossed a line, and I won’t let you jeopardize this company.”

With that, Sarah’s anger boiled over. “You’ll regret this, Lily! I’m not going down without a fight!” She spat, turning on her heel and storming out of the room, her heels clicking angrily against the floor.

As Sarah marched toward Ethan’s office, her mind raced with indignation. How could Lily do this to her? She had worked hard to get this modeling gig, and now it was slipping through her fingers because of a petty rivalry. She reached Ethan’s office and knocked forcefully on the door.

“Come in!” Ethan’s voice called out, and Sarah pushed the door open, her face a mask of fury.

“Ethan!” she exclaimed, her voice sharp. “You won’t believe what just happened!”

Ethan looked up from his desk, surprise etched on his face. “What’s going on, Sarah? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Lily!” she spat, her anger spilling over. “She just canceled the shoot! She had the audacity to say I broke the company contract, and now she’s kicking me out of the company!”

Ethan’s expression darkened, confusion and disbelief flooding his features. “What do you mean she canceled the shoot? Did you do something wrong?”

“Of course not!” Sarah snapped, her frustration boiling over. “She’s just jealous that I’m the one in the spotlight now. She’s always been obsessed with you, and now she’s trying to ruin my career out of spite!”

“Sarah, you need to calm down,” Ethan said, his voice steady but laced with concern. “What exactly did she say?”

“She said I violated a key clause about brand representation!” Sarah exclaimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “As if she’s some kind of authority now! She thinks just because she’s the new CEO, she can walk in and dictate everything!”

His mind raced with anger and frustration as he replayed the scene in his head. How could Lily just cancel the shoot without consulting anyone? It was unacceptable, and he needed to address it immediately.

With a determined sigh, he picked up the phone on his desk and dialed Rachel’s extension. The phone rang twice before she answered, her voice steady and professional.

“Good morning, sir," she said.

“Rachel, I need you to get Lily to the meeting room right now,” he ordered, his tone firm and authoritative. “It’s urgent.”

“Understood, sir.” Rachel asked, maintaining her professionalism despite the tension in the air.

“Just tell her it’s important,” he replied, cutting her off. “I don’t have time for details right now.”

“Of course,” Rachel responded, sensing the urgency in his voice.

Ethan hung up the phone, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He leaned back in his chair, staring at the wall as he tried to gather his thoughts. The situation with Lily was spiraling out of control, and he felt the need to regain authority in this chaotic moment.

Ethan stood up abruptly from his desk, the weight of his anger propelling him toward the door. He was determined to confront Lily about the cancelled shoot when Sarah suddenly stepped in front of him, placing her hand firmly on his chest.

“Ethan, wait,” she said, her voice urgent. “You need to fight for me this time. This is for our child.”

Her words struck a chord deep within him, momentarily halting his furious thoughts. He nodded, acknowledging her plea, but the anger still simmered beneath the surface. With a heavy heart and a clenched jaw, he pushed past her, leaving the office with a singular focus: he was going to confront Lily and make it clear that her actions were unacceptable.