Chapter 24 – The Promotion

The Drake Industries Seoul headquarters buzzed with whispers the next morning. The news of Linda's dismissal had spread like wildfire, carried on hushed tones and incredulous glances over cubicle walls and break room coffee machines. No one had expected the fall of one of Alexander Drake's longest-standing lieutenants and no one had expected Evelyn Hart to rise in her place.

Evelyn stood in front of her new office door, the brass nameplate still reading "Marketing Director." It hadn't been updated yet, but the title change was real. Interim Head of Marketing. Her fingers hovered over the doorknob for a moment before she finally pushed it open and stepped inside.

The office was larger than her old one, filled with the scent of fresh wood polish and the soft glow of morning light filtering through tall glass windows. It felt like unfamiliar territory, like trying on clothes that didn't quite fit yet. But they would.

She placed her bag on the desk and took a long breath. There was work to be done. Not just to clean up the mess Linda had left behind, which was considerable, but to prove that she belonged here. And she would. The thought of Alexander's calm voice from the day before echoed in her mind. "You've earned it."

Noah was the first to arrive, peeking in with a grin and two coffees in hand. "Madam Head of Marketing."

She rolled her eyes. "Interim."

"Still counts. You burned the house down yesterday and rebuilt it before lunch. Let them try and pretend you didn't."

She accepted the coffee with a grateful nod. "Thanks for standing by me. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Well," he said, leaning on the edge of her desk, "now that you're in charge, you'll be able to run things your way. Clean campaigns. Real strategy. Actual collaboration."

She smiled. "That's the plan."

But even as she spoke the words, Evelyn knew her promotion would only put a bigger target on her back. Especially with Genevieve still prowling the executive floor like a tiger behind glass. Evelyn had survived Linda's venom. But Genevieve played a longer, more refined game and she had deeper roots within Drake Industries than anyone else.

Later that afternoon, Alexander called for a private meeting.

His office sat at the crown of the Seoul tower, its sleek glass walls overlooking the Han River and the bustle of the city below. Evelyn's stomach fluttered as she approached, but her knock was steady.

"Come in," came the familiar voice.

He stood near the windows, hands clasped behind his back. The navy suit fit him like it was made just for this view and maybe it was. He turned when she entered, his gaze softening just slightly.

"Close the door," he said. She did.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

"They approved it," he said finally. "The board. Your appointment is no longer interim. Effective immediately."

Evelyn blinked. "But... that was fast."

"You've already done more in forty-eight hours than Linda did in the last quarter."

She stepped forward. "Thank you. I won't let you down."

He tilted his head, watching her closely. "You haven't yet."

The compliment felt like a touch too warm, and for a moment, the air between them thickened. But just as quickly, Alexander stepped back.

"Keep your head down," he said, the CEO mask sliding back into place. "Genevieve won't attack directly. She'll look for cracks."

"I know."

"Stay ahead of her."

"Always."

He looked as if he wanted to say more, but the knock on the door broke the moment.

"Your 3:00 is here," his assistant called.

Evelyn nodded and turned to leave.

"Evelyn," he called just before she opened the door.

She looked back.

"You're not alone in this."

She left with those words humming in her chest. She would walk this line carefully, build her team, and prove her worth and all while guarding the secret of their marriage. Because the war wasn't over. It was just beginning.

And she had every intention of winning.