In the eye of the Storm

open as Baxter Reed stepped into the dimly lit study, ador

he scent of aged leather and

family. His portrait, hung prominently on the wall, almost like he was scrutinizing Baxter's every move. The study was a hav

d up from a stack of papers. Lines etched on his face as he motioned for Baxter

it off for too long. You don't have any more time. Rene and Louis have started

got a year, don't worry. It's going to get so

rs to secure your position, you've already wasted a whole damn year

m I supposed to have a child within the year? Babies don't just pop o

laughed as he held his stomach before fin

this as a contingency plan," William continued,

u just need to go through it and decide on one, and you could alw

hen abandon her just because the old man wanted to try and help me secure my position. If he cared so much, why didn't he pass his seat on to me before kicking the bucket? Now, I'm stuck here, trying to

as CEO, you need an heir one way or another. H

be around for too long," William whis

lled me over from work for this crap," Baxter said, f

told his personal assistant, storming

nch of work-related papers, his mind swirling and stil

muttered, a mix of irritation

er. "So, what do we do, sir? Would you like me to

anyone. If I have to get married, it'll be on my terms. I need someone who adds value, not addi

ompany, she already has majority of the directors on her side. This is the only way you can hold on to your seat and actually b

an," Baxter muttered to himself,

oid of emotional attachments. Someone with just as much as I have to lose Baxter thought of a proposal that would of

sity of this strategic alliance. The stakes were too high, his stepmother was fueled by her relentless ambition and s

ent will seize everything for herself, along with her dim-witt

ks to the speed and swift moves of Sebastian. He wa

de their way to his office. "Good afterno

asked Sebastian as he turned in

massive tech company in California, right at the heart of Silicon Valley. They're all about cool stuff like artificial intelligence, renewable e

od that hinted at the importance of the upcoming meeting. It felt like

he thought, connecting the dots. As they neared the office, Baxter r

an Goldberg, pleased to meet you," th

vealed the underlying tension. "Likewise,

sensing that things might no

ems could turn even a routine boa

s stern expression spoke volumes. Sebastian, his loyal assistant, fell i

ter muttered, running a hand

s might have their name, but if that's the best

r's disappointment. "It was lacking, sir. Perhaps J

? More like missed the mark entirely. I expected a partner, not a stumbling amat

ested, "Shall we reschedule a follow-up mee

ough time today. I need to get back to my office. We'll revi

ind, the Reed Corporation deserved nothing short of excellence, and he needed to make this partnership work as a m

****

at the office, Sebastian sens

vited us for drinks afte

"I don't know, Seb. I've got a lo

Baxter, a little break won't hurt anyone, besides,

me by my name now, huh? You only

work, you're just that puny eight-year-old kid I couldn't shake off all t

time. He squinted at his watch, his eyes widening in disbelief.

nearby, looked over Baxter's sho

s two in the morning alread

our thrilling corporate adventures. Now,

uter with a tired smile. "Ugh, whatever. Let's hea

ter on the back, "That's the s

eading to the club. Baxter couldn't help but express his disbelief, "I can't

ays has a knack for timing. Mi

Talk about the devil

Sebastian called out, s

'I'm surprised you made it, Baxter. I was so sure you wouldn't show

the way, Aaron," Baxter r

said as they all went in and n

had settled in their corner. "Guys, see that lady over

ve got my eyes on her too, she caught my at

ble, rolled his eyes and scuff

ed to Baxter. "What about yo

mplative. "The one in the black dress, perhaps. The bunny trying to fit int

eur, grinned. "Ah, the outlier

ith a smile as he took one more look at h