Five

Charlotte arrived at Wilkins Group early the next morning. She stepped out of the car and looked up at the towering headquarters before taking a slow breath. This was her first official day as Vice President, and she knew people would already be talking. She was David Wilkins' new wife, and news of their marriage had spread through the company faster than she expected.

 Still, Charlotte refused to let that distract her. Dominique Wilkins had given her this position because he believed she was capable, and she intended to prove that he had made the right decision.

The moment she entered the lobby, several employees turned to look at her. Whispers followed her as she crossed the polished floor, but Charlotte kept her expression calm. An assistant soon approached her and informed her that Dominique was waiting in the main conference room. 

Charlotte followed her upstairs and entered the room, where several senior executives were already seated around the long table. Dominique stood at the head of the room and motioned for Charlotte to come forward.

“Everyone, I'd like you to meet Charlotte Wilkins, the new Vice President of Wilkins Group.”

Surprise crossed several faces, but Dominique continued before anyone could speak.

“And before anyone makes the wrong assumption, her marriage to David has nothing to do with this appointment. I selected Charlotte because I believe she has the ability to handle this position. I expect every one of you to respect her authority and cooperate with her.”

One of the senior executives leaned back in his chair.

“Mr. Wilkins, with all due respect, isn't the Vice President a little too high for someone who has never worked in this company?”

Charlotte remained calm.

“Perhaps. But there's only one way to find out.”

Dominique gave her an approving look before leaving the room.

The moment the door closed behind him, the atmosphere changed. The executive who had questioned her gave her a doubtful look, while another quietly exchanged glances with his colleague. Charlotte didn't bother defending herself. She simply reached for the reports on the table and began going through them. Within minutes, she noticed several figures that didn't make sense.

“Why did operating expenses increase by twelve percent last quarter?”

The executive responsible for the report cleared his throat.

“There were some unexpected expenses.”

“Such as?”

He hesitated.

“Several maintenance issues.”

Charlotte turned another page.

“Then why did maintenance expenses increase again when the equipment was replaced last month?”

Silence filled the room. Charlotte closed the report and looked at him.

“I want the complete expenditure report on my desk before noon.”

The executives exchanged glances. They had clearly expected someone they could easily intimidate, but Charlotte had no intention of giving them that opportunity.

The door opened before anyone could respond. David entered with his assistant, his cane tapping against the floor as he was guided toward his seat. The room immediately became quiet. Charlotte looked at him, but David didn't acknowledge her as his wife. Instead, he faced the executives with the same cold expression he carried everywhere.

“Mrs. Wilkins.”

“Mr. Wilkins.”

David took his seat.

“I want everyone here to understand something. Charlotte's marriage to me gives her no special privileges within this company. She will be judged by the same standards as everyone else.”

Charlotte remained silent until David added the part she expected.

“If she fails, I won't protect her.”

Charlotte looked directly at him.

“I don't need your protection.”

David's jaw tightened slightly.

“We'll see.”

Later, Dominique called Charlotte into his office and handed her another file. Charlotte opened it and immediately recognized the name of the division.

“The West Division?”

Dominique nodded.

“You'll be taking control of it.”

Charlotte studied the reports. The division had been struggling for months. Revenue had dropped, several projects were behind schedule, and two major clients were considering ending their contracts.

“You want me to fix this?”

“I want you to find out why it's failing and fix it.”

Charlotte closed the file.

“I will.”

David, who had remained nearby, spoke before she could leave.

“Don't expect me to lower the standard because you're my wife.”

Charlotte turned toward him.

“I wouldn't expect you to.”

She took the file and left.

Charlotte spent the rest of the day at the West Division. She called the managers into a meeting and requested their latest reports, then began going through contracts, financial statements, project schedules and client complaints. Some of the managers clearly underestimated her, but she refused to be distracted. 

The longer she worked, the more problems she uncovered. Poor management had allowed expenses to spiral out of control, several projects had been unnecessarily delayed, and important clients weren't receiving proper attention. By the time she finished, Charlotte had already made a list of the changes she intended to implement.

For the first time since losing her previous job, she felt like she had something of her own again. Her career had been destroyed because someone had framed her, but she wasn't going to let anyone take another opportunity from her. 

She would work for this position, prove herself, and make sure no one could say she had only gotten it because she was David Wilkins' wife.

It was already evening when Charlotte finally left the division. She was almost at the elevator when David's voice stopped her.

“Mrs. Wilkins.”

Charlotte turned and found him standing with his assistant.

“You seem comfortable with your new position.”

“I'm getting used to it.”

David's expression remained cold.

“Don't get too comfortable. Becoming Vice President doesn't make you untouchable.”

Charlotte frowned.

“I never thought it did.”

David paused.

“My grandfather may believe in you. I don't.”

Charlotte held his gaze for a moment.

“Then I guess I'll have to give you a reason to.”

His expression hardened.

“Don't bother.”

David turned and walked away with his assistant. Charlotte watched him disappear down the hallway before reaching for the elevator button.

She finally understood that winning David over wasn't going to be part of this marriage. She didn't need his approval, and she certainly didn't need him to believe in her. She had a position to protect, a career to rebuild, and a reputation that had already been damaged once. If David wanted to make her life difficult, he would have to try harder than that.

Charlotte stepped into the elevator.

She wasn't going to spend t

his marriage trying to make her husband like her.

She was going to survive him, and prove that she deserved the position Dominique had given her.