Astrid entered the boardroom with poised strides, the subtle echo of her heels against the polished floor announcing her arrival. The board members, already seated around the expansive tables, turned their attention towards the entrance. As she approached the head of the table, her lips stretched into a warm smile."Good evening, everyone. I'm Astrid Pierce-Cyrene alias Star Cyra, and I'm thrilled to join this incredible team as your new CFO," she began, her voice projecting a blend of professionalism and approachability.The news hung in the air, and a moment of collective surprise settled over the boardroom. The board members, initially engaged in the financial discussions, shifted their attention entirely toward Astrid. A murmur of recognition swept through the room, and a few exchanged glances as the realization dawned.Mr. Johnson, the chairman, inches forward with a raised eyebrow, "Star Cyra? The industry luminary?"Astrid nods, "Yes, that's correct. I've had the privilege of be
Post the board meeting, Astrid, fixing her intense gaze on Harper, addresses her with conviction, "The financial data doesn't lie, Harper. There's a pattern here, and your involvement is glaring. It's implausible that Elias could've embezzled such a substantial sum without your awareness. I'm inclined to believe that your involvement isn't isolated in this."Astrid maintains her penetrating stare, awaiting Harper's reply—an answer that could either validate or dismiss the brewing suspicions.Harper, striving for composure, stumbles in her response, "Ma'am, I… I'm not sure what you're insinuating. I handle a multitude of transactions, and discrepancies are an inherent aspect of the job.""Harper, these discrepancies transcend mere mistakes. There's a discernible pattern, a string of transactions that conspicuously benefit both you and Elias. I need the unvarnished truth from you, Harper, before this situation spirals out of control. I chose to address this with you initially, opting for
"Dad!" Astrid's cheeks lit up like a vibrant sunset, a delightful blend of chagrin and amusement playing across her face in response to her father's whimsical remark.Leo, with a mischievous glint in his eye, feigns innocence and replies, "What? I was merely articulating the unvarnished truth."Deciding it was time to bid her farewell, she announces, "I will be taking my leave now," pivoting to make her exit. However, her departure found an unexpected pause when Leo interjects with heartfelt words."Astrid, a big thank you for today. I was oblivious, wrapped in my trust for Elias to notice that he was siphoning off my funds."With a reassuring smile, Astrid responds, "No worries, Dad. It's a valuable lesson – occasionally, placing trust in someone can lead to unforeseen twists. The path of blind trust isn't always the wisest choice.""I suppose I learned my lesson through the school of hard knocks. You're a virtuoso in your field, without a doubt." Leo commends."I must admit, I am ext
Blaze, standing in the opulent penthouse suite, witnessed the unfolding spectacle with a mixture of incredulity and stupefaction. His eyes widened, his once-steady grip on his phone faltered, and the device slipped from his grasp.The metallic clatter of the phone hitting the floor reverberates in the hushed penthouse. Tears wells up in Blaze's eyes, their silent descent mirroring the rapid unraveling of the unexpected tragedy. The glistening streaks trail down his cheeks, a poignant monument to the emotional turmoil that seized him.In the depths of Blaze's consciousness, his inner wolf and tiger prowled with a sense of unease. Their instincts ignited a protective surge, translating into a restive energy expressed through his clenched fists and a feral gleam in his eyes. The subdued growl emanating from the depths echoed the primal longing of his inner animals to shield their mate, a struggle for dominance unfolding within.With Blaze's mental command, the once serene water fountain,
Blaze walked into the sitting room, and the sight of Astrid engrossed in the TV brought a warm smile to his face. She wore a sheepish grin, clearly captivated by whatever was unfolding on the screen. What caught his attention even more was the fact that, despite how she almost died a few moments ago, she looked remarkably at ease, almost as if the events of minutes ago were a distant memory.Blaze, standing there, watching Astrid with a soft smile, felt a gentle flutter in his heart. It was that subtle sensation, like the delicate beat of a butterfly's wings. As he gazed at Astrid's genuine smile, a warmth spread within him, and his heart skipped a beat when Astrid's gaze met his. There was a fleeting pause, a suspended instant in which time seemed to momentarily still. Feeling the warmth of the moment, Blaze couldn't resist the impulse to bridge the space between them. With a soft simper, he walked up to Astrid. As he reached her, he gently cupped her face in his hands, his eyes loc
"Funny. That's precisely what I did!"Astrid's mouth went agape, her incredulous stare locked onto Blaze as if trying to decipher an unfathomable riddle. "No way, that's not possible. I mean, you're a werecat and a werewolf. Are you a vampire too?"He responds with a mischievous smirk, "Yeah, maybe I am. Perhaps I can feed from you as I eat you out!"Her eyes widen, cheeks flaming with an immediate rush of heat, rendering her speechless for a moment. "Blaze! My dad is still on the line, you man whore!"Blaze, adopting an innocent expression, protests, "What?" as if completely oblivious to the suggestive nature of his comment."I'll just leave you guys to do your thing," Leo's voice echoed through the phone, and Astrid was almost certain that he was smirking from the other end."Dad!""Goodbye, honey," Leo utters, and Astrid replies with a somewhat embarrassed "Goodbye, Dad" before hastily ending the call."You shameless, perverted flirt!" Astrid exclaims with whimsical annoyance, her h
Astrid's brows lifted in astonishment as Blaze shared, "I am a hybrid of three, and this unique composition causes me to suffer from severe Polycythemia Vera." Mixed emotions played on Astrid's face – curiosity and concern intertwined. Blaze took a moment, a thoughtful expression crossing his face, as he began explaining Polycythemia Vera to Astrid. "Polycythemia Vera is a rare condition where my body produces too many red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It leads to thicker blood, making circulation more challenging," As he delved deeper into the details, Blaze illustrated the impact on his health. "This excess of blood cells can result in complications like blood clots, which can be severe. It also puts strain on the heart and may cause issues with spleen function," he adds with a sigh. In the ensuing quietude, Astrid wrestled with words, a fleeting pause before she softly asked, "Blaze, coping with all that must have been tough. How do you manage it?" "Well, it w
"Aww, that was sweet and sad. Dexter was right, you were indeed a headache.""Well, cut me some slack. I barely had a smidge of medical know-how back then. My focus was all about the business world.""So, are you now some kind of medical maestro?" Astrid wrinkles her brow."Yeah, got myself a medical degree, though I never practiced. Dexter is the real deal. Countless surgeries specialties under his belt – I've lost track, maybe six, might be more. Trust me, he's got the Midas touch. Not a single surgery gone wrong. Pure gifted talent. The man's a prodigy." His words oozed with pride, respect, and fondness for his friend."Really? Impressive! But given his vampiric nature, doesn't the scent of blood not awaken his thirst for it? He's not just a doctor, but a surgeon." Blaze shook his head, offering insight, "Not at all. As long as he maintains a well-fed state, it poses no problem whatsoever. You can't get hungry when you are full.""True. What specialties did he choose to specialize