His secretary

ds Un

ly'

ary, I was learning to fit in, and every day I grew more assured. My mornings started with a cup of coffee made j

a man of few words, his voice carried power that demanded respect. I was both fascinated to and te

my office door in the middle of getting ready for the next investor presentati

ed, "Emily, could you kindly joi

rk and trailing him inside

somewhat, his forehead wrinkled in contemplation. Closing the door behi

questioned, "Is

Petrova has been poring over our company's records. She seems to be l

Trying to understand the ramifications of hi

is voice low and strained, "If she finds something, she will use it against us" "I need you

surge of will driving me, "

tion. If you find anything odd, let me

r been involved in anything like this before, the idea

for hours, checking every detail for any evidence of manipulation or disparity.

e reading over a particularly difficult spreadsheet. I rais

oorframe, he asked,

e been looking over our most recent purchases, b

aid, entering. "I valu

e at his compliments. "I simply want to make

us. "I believe in you even though I understand t

s eye. The air between us seemed headed for a minute, and I

ing on the desk. I looked at the screen

riendly check inthe natu

ly. It's going nicely! I am learnin

ulian asked, his

lpful, I said, turning back to face hi

n be a double-edged sword." "They might

g weakness in his remarks. But I believe

es far off. "Just be ca

sensed he was not ready to share, there was a gre

fice tension. Spending the last week getting ready, I made sure every elemen

n enquired, his voice c

nking so as well. "I have run ov

fident, he advised, laying a

hurried away to attempt to cool myself. "I

nto the conference room was evident. Julian replaced him

he space. He discussed the expansion of our business and upcoming strateg

scribed our most recent projects and how they affected our financial development. I looke

nd Alexandra Petrova strolled in grinning sm

f sarcasm. "I could not help but hear. I'm no

e tension in the room rising. His voice icy,

thought I would offer my observations on your little

ly, saying, "Your insigh

g to keep my voice steady, "Alexandra, we're in the middle of a meeting,"

worry." I'm simply here to tell everyone that the market is cha

ank you for your input; but, we are r

ged, "Is that so?" "I simply wan

ense trail behind. The investors were staring at us,

mured, his voice level. "We

ck underway. Alexandra's presence had rocked me, and I could

vestors had gone. "I'm sorry about Alexandra. She

ning a hand over his hair. "She's a diver

ng to keep a calm voice. "But I b

softening. "You performed brilliantly,

ride as I said. "I just want t

more than required. "You do, I know. And ha

he conference, Alexandra loomed over us like a black cloud. Although I knew negotiating this society wo