Love's Ashes, CEO's Rise

shley' s "temporary workspace." It was small and stuffy, a clear step down from the corner office I once had, which Ben now occupied. Ashl

ushed with anger on my behalf. "She made a huge fuss abou

almly. "And please, find the key to the executive file ro

lit up. "R

ere alone, using my phone to photograph every page of the Apex Project's contracts, the company's private ledgers, and the detailed reco

master key Lisa had "accidentally" left on my desk. The room was dark and silent. I moved quickly and quietly. From my p

n your hands and knees. It was voice-activated and had a remote feed I could access from my phone. Now, I woul

isible shift in the power dynamic. Old employees who remembered my contributions before my "leave" greeted m

ly serious face breaking into a rare smile. "The design

replied. "I'm looking forward to w

ty, loyal to the company's success, not to Ben's ch

ting for the Apex Project. I stood at the head of the conference table, the same table where I had pi

about the city's long-term development plans-details Ben had overlooked. The room was engaged, the man

r opened. Ashley waltzed in, carr

pick-me-up!" she said with a dazzling

deliberate power play, a way for her to mark her territory a

ed at her, my expression c

erously quiet. "Are you a membe

smile wavering.

atory attendees for this meeting?

o.

. "This is a closed-door, confidential strategy session for the company's most important pro

liated, speechless. All eyes in the room were on her, th

authority he had just publicly endorsed and desperately needed for my fath

g gaze. "Chloe is right, Ashley. This is a privat

eaving the tray on a table by the door. The victory was small, b

ment before turning back to the

er, I heard Ashley's raised voice from down the hall, coming

e that in front of everyone!" Ashley's voice

e to do? Contradict her? I need her right now. I need her father. Y

to let her walk all ov

ler deal is signed and the money is in our account, she' s gone. Then you can have wha

n silence. Then,

ging her, just as he had managed me. He t

my next move. I calle

digitize all of our expense receipts from the last seven years. They're in storage in the b

y demeaning task. It would take her weeks, isolating her in the

said, a hint of a grin on her fac

ght she was in a battle for Ben's affection. She was wrong. Th

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