Chapter 10

‎When Claire finally reached the 25th floor, a wave of surprise washed over her as she stepped off the elevator. The corridor was eerily silent, with not a single sound echoing through the hallway. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting a soft, sterile glow on the polished floors. She paused for a moment, taking in the quiet emptiness, the anticipation rising in her chest.

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‎“Well, this is unexpected,” she whispered to herself, her voice barely more than a breath. A small sigh escaped her lips as she glanced down the hallway. With a shrug, she steeled herself, adjusting her coat and walking forward, her footsteps soft but determined.

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‎As she approached the door that bore the label CEO Assistant, she felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of resolve. She reached for the door handle, pausing just before she turned it. "So this place will be my office," she muttered, her voice carrying a quiet excitement. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and for the first time that day, she allowed herself to feel a bit of joy, looking forward to what the future would hold.

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‎Her gaze shifted to the door adjacent to hers, the one that she could only assume was the CEO’s office. It stood slightly ajar, a sense of mystery surrounding it, as if it was a doorway to a world she had yet to enter. Without thinking, she began walking toward it, her pace deliberate yet cautious. She could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her chest as her breath deepened.

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‎Taking a moment to steady herself, Claire whispered softly, "Claire, you’ve got this." The words felt like armor, reinforcing her inner strength. She needed this job, this opportunity, and she would do whatever it took to prove herself.

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‎As she stood just outside the CEO’s office, a thought crossed her mind. What was he like, this "demon" everyone had warned her about? The man behind the door, whose presence seemed to command fear and respect in equal measure. There were no pictures of him online, no public profiles, no hints to his personality. It was as if he existed only in rumors and whispers—an enigma, a ghost.

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‎Claire's heart raced at the thought of meeting him. What would he look like? What would he sound like? She almost laughed at herself for feeling so nervous, but the truth was, she had no idea what to expect. The man who ran this company was a mystery, and she would have to navigate her way through this labyrinth of corporate power and unspoken rules. But she had no choice but to step forward.

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‎Her hand hovered near the door, ready to knock. And in that moment, Claire couldn’t shake the thought that her life, and perhaps her entire future, was about to change in ways she couldn’t yet imagine.

‎Meanwhile, Edward had already reached the twentieth floor, where the sleek glass doors of the conference room awaited him. The hum of the building’s central air conditioning did little to mask the tense atmosphere as he entered, his steps deliberate and purposeful.

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‎“Good morning, Mr. Smith,” the eleven managers greeted him in unison, their voices varying in tone but all carrying the weight of formal respect. Some of them were genuine, their smiles subtle but sincere, while others forced the words through clenched jaws. It was clear that not everyone in the room was pleased to see him.

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‎Edward took his time as he walked toward the head of the large conference table. The heavy wood surface reflected the overhead lights, its polished sheen giving off an almost cold, impersonal feel. He settled into his chair, placed purposefully apart from the others, at the very end of the table, his back straight, posture rigid. The chair, though comfortable, seemed more like a throne, designed for command rather than comfort. It was here that he felt in control, the dominant figure in the room.

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‎His icy blue eyes scanned the room, taking in each manager with the meticulous precision of a hawk sizing up its prey. His gaze, sharp and unforgiving, seemed to pierce through the air like a weapon, and the room went quiet under the weight of his presence. “I trust everyone has met the targets I set for you all?” he asked, his voice smooth yet edged with a coldness that suggested any failure would not be tolerated. His words were more of a statement than a question.

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‎“Yes, sir,” a few of the managers muttered, though their voices were hesitant, unsure. Some remained silent, unsure of how to respond, knowing full well they hadn’t lived up to the expectations set. Edward’s gaze swept over them, noting the slight discomfort in their expressions, the shifting of eyes, and the subtle twitching of nervous hands.

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‎His eyes narrowed as he focused on one of them, Caleb, the youngest of the group but one of the few who had proven himself capable in the past. “Caleb, how is the progress on your side?” he asked, his voice colder than before. There was no room for excuses or hesitation in his tone; this was not a man who tolerated weakness.

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‎“Everything is going smoothly, and we’re almost finished,” Caleb answered, his words coming out in a controlled manner. He wasn’t expecting praise, he never did. He was simply relieved that he wasn’t being scolded for delays like some of the others.

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‎“Good,” Edward replied, his expression remaining unchanged. He turned his attention to another manager, Joseph, who was sitting directly across from him. The room seemed to hold its breath as Edward’s gaze locked onto Joseph’s, the latter visibly stiffening under the intensity of the scrutiny.

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‎“And you, Joseph?” Edward’s question was asked with the same cold, calculating tone, and Joseph felt a shiver run down his spine. His eyes darted nervously to his colleagues, but no help came.

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‎“We still need some time, sir,” Joseph replied, his voice wavering slightly. He swallowed hard, as if bracing himself for whatever was coming next.

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‎“I gave you a deadline,” Edward said, his tone sharpening. “I expect everything to be ready by next week, or there will be consequences. We have clients waiting, and delays are no longer an option.” His eyes did not soften as he spoke, continuing to look at Joseph with the same intense gaze, as though daring him to argue.

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‎Joseph nodded quickly, his face pale. “Yes, sir. We’ll make it happen.”

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‎Edward didn’t wait for any further assurances before moving on. He turned to the next manager, and the cycle of cold, calculated questioning continued. The atmosphere was thick with tension, each manager feeling the pressure mounting as Edward dissected their progress with precision.

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‎By the end of the meeting, it was clear: only six managers Caleb and others had made substantial progress. The rest, however, were falling behind, and Edward was not the kind of man who tolerated failure. He knew what was at stake, several lucrative contracts were waiting, and delays could cost millions.

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‎“I’m giving you until next week,” Edward declared, his voice firm and unyielding. “You’d better have everything in place by then, or I suggest you start looking for new employment.” His eyes swept over the room, making sure the message was clear. The air was thick with fear, and a few managers visibly shrank under his gaze.

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‎Edward stood up slowly, his gaze still piercing, his presence overwhelming. “This is your final warning,” he said coldly his eyes scanning every managers in the room.