The city rushed past her, a blur of steel, glass, and neon as Lily sat in the backseat of her black sedan, her eyes fixed on the window. Morning traffic was its usual mess—honking cars, pedestrians in a hurry, and the occasional siren wailing in the distance. But inside the car, there was nothing but silence, save for the low hum of the engine and the soft tapping of her fingers against the leather seat.
Her thoughts weren’t on the road.
They were on the email she had just read for the third time.
"Finalizing Details for the New Deal."
The words glowed on her phone screen, crisp and clear, yet heavy with meaning. This wasn’t just any deal. It was a power move—one that would elevate her company into a new playing field, placing it among the elites. It was the kind of deal that separated the ambitious from the truly unstoppable.
She leaned back, inhaling slowly.
This is what matters now.
“Ms. Melanova,” her driver, Richard, glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “There’s a protest blocking the main route to the office. Should I take an alternate road?”
Lily barely looked up. “What are they protesting this time?”
“Corporate layoffs, I believe. Something about the tech industry downsizing.”
She exhaled sharply. “Take the alternate route. I don’t have time for delays.”
Richard nodded, smoothly steering the car down a quieter street. The buildings here were older, less polished than the glittering high-rises she was used to. It was a reminder of the parts of the city people like her rarely had to think about.
Her phone buzzed. Alice.
Alice: "Good morning, boss. The board meeting is set for 10 AM. Investors expect an update on the merger. Also, legal flagged a potential conflict in the contract terms. Should I set up a call with them before the meeting?"
Lily’s fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard.
Lily: "Schedule it for 9:30. Send me the flagged terms now."
Almost instantly, a document attachment popped up in her inbox. She opened it, scanning the highlighted clauses. A minor discrepancy—something that could be dealt with easily. Nothing that could stand in her way.
Her grip on the phone tightened slightly.
Control. That was the key.
Stolen story; please report.
She had lost control once—when she had allowed herself to believe in love, in trust, in the idea that someone could stand beside her without betraying her. That had been a mistake. A weakness she had no intention of repeating.
But here? In this world of numbers, contracts, and negotiations? She was untouchable.
As the car neared the towering glass structure of Melanova Industries, she straightened her posture. The past didn’t exist here. Only the future. Only power.
The moment the car pulled up to the entrance, the doors were already being held open for her.
Lily stepped out, the sharp click of her heels against the pavement echoing like a statement.
She wasn’t just back.
She was ready to take over.
Lily strode through the towering glass doors of Melanova Industries, the grand lobby bathed in a golden morning glow. The polished marble floors reflected the elegance of the space, a symbol of power and prestige—one that she had built with her own hands.
A few employees turned their heads as she passed, their whispers barely audible over the soft hum of conversations and the rhythmic tapping of keyboards. Some greeted her with respectful nods, others with cautious glances.
She ignored them. She wasn’t here for pleasantries.
As she approached the private elevator, Alice was already waiting, tablet in hand, dressed sharply in a tailored navy-blue suit. Her assistant fell into step beside her as the elevator doors slid open.
"Good morning, Miss Melanova," Alice began, her tone professional but brisk. "The board is expecting a full update on the merger. Legal reviewed the flagged contract terms—no serious roadblocks, just minor revisions. Also, there’s been movement from Everston Holdings. They’re sniffing around our R&D division."
Lily’s jaw tightened at the mention of Everston Holdings. That particular corporation had been circling her company like vultures for months, waiting for the smallest crack to exploit.
"They’re trying to undercut us?" Lily asked as the elevator doors closed, enclosing them in a quiet space of polished steel and glass.
Alice nodded. "They acquired a biotech firm last week—one specializing in AI-driven analytics. It’s not a direct competitor, but it’s close enough to be concerning."
Lily exhaled through her nose, calculating.
“Schedule a private meeting with our R&D heads. I want a full report on our patents and upcoming developments. If Everston wants to play this game, we’ll make sure they regret it.”
Alice typed swiftly. "Understood."
The elevator chimed, arriving at the executive floor. The doors slid open to reveal the sleek, modern office space that overlooked the city skyline. The air smelled of expensive coffee and ambition.
Lily stepped out, already shifting gears.
Her past was dead weight. Her future was dominance.
And today, she would prove it.
Lily entered the executive conference room with the confidence of a queen walking into her throne room. The long, sleek table was surrounded by board members, investors, and department heads—men and women dressed in power, waiting for her command.
Alice took her seat beside her, tablet ready. The presentation screen displayed key figures, projections, and timelines. This was more than just numbers—this was the future of Melanova Industries.
Lily clasped her hands together, her gaze sweeping across the room. “Let’s begin.”
The meeting was ruthless. Every decision was questioned, every move analyzed. But Lily thrived in the pressure. She countered doubts with strategy, turned concerns into opportunities. The merger was on track. The R&D division was secure. Everston Holdings was a threat, but a manageable one—for now.
By the time the meeting concluded, she had solidified her position, reassured investors, and set the stage for the next big move.
But just as she was about to leave, Alice leaned in, her voice low. “You should see this.”
She slid her tablet over, a news article glowing on the screen.
"BREAKING NEWS: CEO OF MELANOVA INDUSTRIES LINKED TO UNDERGROUND SCANDAL—SECRET PAST REVEALED."
Lily’s heart didn’t skip a beat, but her grip on the tablet tightened.
The article wasn’t about the company.
It was about her.
And the past she thought she had buried.
To be continued...
Shiit....