Ambitions Entwined

g from home, jumped as her phone

wered, her voice laced

ve finished your request. There are some concerning discrepancies in

in her stomach. "If you have the time, com

utes," Matheo confirmed, the

lp but reflect on the potential impact of his findings. She ordered lunch for two – a break

avy silence hung between them as she greeted him, bo

open kitchen into the living room. Matheo's usually bright eyes were shadowed with concern as h

" she murmured, concern lacing her voice. The reports revealed significant revenue

a flicker of sympathy crossed her mind for James, burdened with rescuing a failing company so soon after he was

n her eyes. He tried to remain composed. "Would you like

ce firm. "Let's write a restru

fused. "F-for Nexus

these documents are the key. I owe you a fantastic dinner fo

surge of appreciation. "Thank you, Ms. Hunter. Shall we get s

s the room as they debated profitability and staff productivity, oblivious to the city fading int

ay! I will finish the first draft." Noreen declared

t already upon them. Gathering his things, he rose.

th a sigh, she turned back to the living room, determined to

had just arrived at her house, and the evidence of yesterday's tense discussion with

he asked, taking her

" her father rep

is is a rich person's house! Let me just admire it for a while..." He grinned

out the new garden her mother had planted at the house Noreen had recently bought for them. "

iece on the table. Nathan, ever the eager eater, practical

at!" she announce

filled with lighthearted updates and childhood stories. But a shado

breath. "There was a bit of a s

age for the sake of company stability. Her voice grew sharp as

yes – a hope Noreen recognized all too well. It was a silent plea

idea of marrying for anything less tha

er mother finally asked, her vo

ing married, Mom," she said carefully. "It's about control. My decisions

"You're right, darling," he said. "Your worth and the com

, chimed in with a grin. "You've alwa

g support. They may not have fully understood the corporate mach

an about his university projects, his face lighting up as he launched into an animated description of his late

et, casting long shadows across the living room floor, a pang of loneliness hit Noreen.

" she said, trying to mask a

our welcome?" her mother aske

utely not! I just know you're

h photo albums filled with faded memories. Finally, with hugs and pro

. Noreen stood there for a moment, a wave of melancholy washing over her. The warmth of

unfinished proposal awaited her, a tangible reminder of the fight ahead. The pressure from the

ted by James. She would use this opportunity to her advantage, to carve her path and secure her future on her own terms. P

he board would not be open to o