Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Ceo's Unexpected Choice : Kabanata 41 - Kabanata 50

By Friday morning, Zara had stopped thinking about the board meeting.Not because it hadn't mattered.It had.But something about standing in front of those directors and defending her work had changed the way she saw herself.For months, she had introduced herself as Adrian Knight's assistant.Then she became the person helping with his schedule, his meetings and his day-to-day work.After that, she'd been given the consumer project.She had treated it like an opportunity she might never get again.Now the campaign was one of the company's strongest launches that quarter.And Zara had finally started asking herself an uncomfortable question.What came next?She found the answer on Monday morning.Amara Okafor, Knight Technologies' Chief Strategy Officer, called her into her office.Zara had spoken to Amara several times during the consumer project, but never privately.Amara gestured toward the chair."Sit."Zara sat.Amara placed a printed report on the desk."You wrote this?"Zara

Zara didn't sleep much.Not because she was frightened.Because her mind wouldn't stop calculating.Rhodes Capital becoming the largest shareholder wasn't the same thing as buying the company. Adrian would still be CEO. Knight Technologies wouldn't suddenly belong to Charles Rhodes.But it changed the balance.And Zara hated that she understood enough about business now to know exactly how serious it was.She sat on Adrian's balcony the next morning with a cup of tea between her hands, watching the city wake up."You've been staring at that cup for ten minutes."She looked over.Adrian stood in the doorway, already dressed for work."I'm thinking.""That's dangerous before breakfast."She smiled faintly."Did you sleep?""Not much.""Because of the offer?"He nodded."Partly."Zara looked at him."What's the other part?"He walked over and sat beside her."You."She blinked."Me?""You were worried last night.""I was.""I don't like knowing you're worried.""Adrian, I'm not made of g

Zara stared at the revision history for another thirty seconds.Then she closed it.She wasn't going to accuse Adrian based on one login.Not when she knew him.Not when she knew how easily an executive account could be accessed by someone working within the company.She picked up her phone.Zara: Can I see you?The reply came less than a minute later.Adrian: Of course.She walked to his office.This time, she didn't knock.He looked up from his desk."What's wrong?"She placed her laptop in front of him."I found something."Adrian read the screen.His expression became serious."When was this changed?""Last night.""Using my account?""Yes."He leaned back."That's not possible.""That's what I thought."He looked at the revision history again."Who had access?""I don't know."Adrian picked up his phone."I'm calling IT.""Before you do that..."He looked at her."I don't think this was done to hurt you.""I don't either.""I think someone wanted the board to believe the company

Zara read the email again.Then once more."I don't want this."Adrian sat across from her, watching her reaction."You don't have to accept it.""They want a cover story.""I know.""About me.""I know."She dropped the phone onto the table."That's insane."Adrian smiled."You've been complaining for months that nobody takes you seriously.""That's different.""How?""I wanted people in this company to take my work seriously. I didn't ask strangers to put my face on a magazine."He laughed quietly."You sound nervous.""I am nervous.""Why?""Because once you're on a cover, people stop asking what you did and start asking who you are."Adrian considered that."Then make them care about what you did."She looked at him."That's annoyingly good advice.""I have those occasionally."She smiled.Then her expression became serious."I don't want them making the story about us.""They won't.""How do you know?""Because you'll decide what you talk about."She studied him."You really won'

Emily looked from Adrian to Zara.For a second, nobody spoke.Then Adrian pulled out the chair beside Zara."Sit."Emily hesitated."Are you sure?""Yes."She sat.Zara looked at Adrian.He seemed uncomfortable, but not guilty.That distinction mattered."Emily," he said, "this is Zara."Emily gave her a small smile."I know."Zara raised an eyebrow."You know me?""Not personally."Emily looked at Adrian."Congratulations, by the way."Zara smiled politely."Thank you."There was an awkward silence.Finally, Emily sighed."I should probably explain why I'm here."Adrian leaned back."Please."Emily placed her phone on the table."I work with the legal advisory firm handling the restructuring review for Knight Technologies."Zara blinked.Adrian's expression relaxed slightly."You're the new senior counsel?""Yes.""So that's why you're in Lagos.""Partly."Emily looked at Zara."We worked together years ago, before I joined the firm."Zara nodded slowly."So you and Adrian knew each