_Chapter 006

Valerie's POV

~~~~~

I can't breathe. Can't think. Heck, for a moment I can't even feel the injury on my palm anymore. All I can do is stand petrified amongst the sea of other employees—while trying not to lose my shit.

The CEO still has his gaze on me. Those golden eyes have this weird effect on me despite the distance. I recall a certain night… one where a mysterious man had his head between my thighs before he railed me into the best orgasm of my life.

Chills run under my skin so hard that my grip on the box between my hands falters.

Could the CEO really be—

“Thank you,” the thunderous rumble of a deep baritone snaps me out of my head. I blink, eyes trailing back to the older man on the stage.

He no longer has his gaze on me, wearing a small smile as he goes on. “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. For those of you who aren't aware, I am Malachi Mourningale. CEO of this conglomerate.”

Claps resound from every corner of the lobby. I would too if my hands weren't so occupied.

Malachi raises a hand, bringing silence to the hall. “I know my presence today must be a… shock,” his eyes drag to me and I swear to God I nearly shit myself. “You'll come to realise that it's not random. But the beginning of a necessary change in how things are run here.”

Fortunately, those piercing golden orbs leave me before any more unholy images flash through my head. I still only remember a few things from that night and most of it wasn't even clear.

Yet this man's presence suddenly pulls more memories through me.

“Mourningale International has been run smoothly by my son, Draven Mourningale, for over three years now,” Malachi went on. “While we've had our golden moments under his guidance—I must call out some recent developments that I find rather alarming.”

A frown creases my forehead before I can stop it.

Recent developments?

Murmurs ripple around me as well but as usual, all Malachi has to do is signal they stop. Under the silence, he clears his throat.

“I've had time to review surface level things from various departments,” he draws the last two words. “Competent people are being sidelined and having their positions taken over by… otherwise lackluster replacements.”

My heart skips a beat.

Wait a goddamn minute.

‘Is he talking about my situation?’ I don't notice the subconscious parting of my mouth until my jaw aches from it.

“I wouldn't want a situation where our company loses the opportunity of growing people who actually deserve it.” The CEO straightens. “Which is why I'll be reforming Mourningale International. Every department should expect intensive reviews these coming weeks. And some of you should expect promotions—and demotions as well.”

Heat swells within my cheeks.

Whether embarrassment, anger or both was hard to tell. But I definitely was beginning to feel like a fucking idiot.

‘Of course,’ I smile bitterly. ‘So naive of me to think he was here to right his son's wrongs. My demotion will be ruled out as part of the company's reform. He was probably even in on it from the beginning.’

I catch his eyes sweeping past me but I intentionally look away. My jaw ticks as an undeniable fire ignites in my chest.

‘Screw every last member of this family.’ I curse mentally but then pause. ‘I mean… not literally. Fuck—’

The meeting goes on with a few more words from the CEO. Draven joins his father on stage but stays behind him. The way he seems so small beside his father gives me some entertainment.

Just a little.

“Some people in this company have been undervalued for far too long,” Malachi says as he gets to the end of his speech. “I hope this reform helps ensure that's no longer the case.”

The lobby erupts with applause and cheers. Again, I would've joined… but my hands.

I manage a smile instead right at the same moment when Malachi steps back to let his son speak. The second the jackass’s voice rolls into the mic, I hold back a scowl.

His words barely stir the same reaction from the staff as his father's did. And that obviously disorients him for a beat—proven by the way he occasionally cuts the older man a look.

Like a damn puppy seeking validation.

“Uhm… Miss?” A hand on my shoulder forces me to look back.

It's attached to a man around my age. He smiles politely before pointing at my hands. “Your hand. I think it's injured.”

I blink for a second until the words hit. My gaze flits to my palms and sure enough, the one Naomi stepped on earlier is actively bleeding.

Panicking, I lower the box to the ground. I wince when air kisses my palm, immediately pulling out a stinging pain from it.

“Fuck this…” I mutter, bringing out a handkerchief while ignoring a few stares around me.

The second the white cloth makes contact with my skin… I sense it. An overwhelming pressure that makes my bones tremble and my heart quicken.

Whether it's by instinct or mere coincidence, I lift my head.

My stomach twists when I meet Malachi's golden eyes. Locked not on me—but directly at my blood-stained palms.

Something dark flickers past his eyes. Something that leaves so fast I wouldn't have noticed if I was staring back at him like a deer under headlights.

He swerves his head away right when Draven wraps up his speech.

“Alright, everyone… That’ll be all for today.”

People scurry one by one out of the lobby.

I pick up my box, sighing with relief when I no longer feel any pain in my palm. Hopefully, the handkerchief holds it down until I can get first aid.

I cross the large hall to the elevator in no time. Just when I step into the lift, about to click the button leading to my new office—

—A hand slips between the elevator doors, forcing them to stay open. My brows knit when a man in a freshly ironed suit and a sharp pair of sunglasses withdraws that same hand back to himself.

“Miss Sinclair?” He arches a brow over his sunglasses. “Mr Mourningale would like to see you in his office. Immediately.”

My pulse stutters. “... D–Do you mean Draven?”

“No.” The way he says that oozes with amusement. “His father. The CEO. You'll find his office on the building’s Executive floor.”

A choking pressure coils around my chest.