"A meeting and intense emotions."

Allan Hurtz:

The next day, at the company...

I scheduled a meeting with the company shareholders. I wanted to witness Asha Smith's failure, and I wanted to be present. I already had a plan in mind, so as soon as I arrived in the presidential office, I put on my best smile, but inside, I was furious. I didn't want her among those men, especially after her night of pleasure yesterday... I was so angry, how could that woman be so low? She had been harassed, and then she was with another man. She truly was a monster. I wanted to embarrass her, and that's exactly what would happen today. I was determined to show the shallow and unqualified woman she was.

— Good morning, everyone. I have an announcement to make! As you know, some women think they can be something, and today Asha Smith becomes the majority owner and representative of the company. However, the woman has no education! — I said authoritatively.

Everyone had the expression I wanted them to have, and they said, 

—Are you out of your mind? That woman has never worked a day in her life; she doesn't even know what it's like to get her hands dirty. The company is about to improve; she can't take over! — one of them spoke up immediately.

— I understand, my dear colleagues, she really doesn't know how to work, but I'm doing what the law requires. She is now my ex-wife, and I will let her stand on her own two feet! — I explained.

— We won't accept her! —  another one asserted.

I was loving the attitude of the shareholders because that's exactly what I wanted. I wanted them to turn their backs on her and oppose her. But to my surprise, and to everyone's surprise, Asha Smith entered the room, looking very well-dressed, with several papers in hand. I looked at her closely, and she just stared back at me with contempt, tossing the papers she had acquired and saying firmly:

— Sorry for the delay, my dear colleagues. I understand that you may find me unqualified. I didn't finish college, but some men just don't feel secure when a woman steps out. But here is my goal plan; I am prepared, especially when I have a former majority shareholder trying to undermine me! You see that goal plan that went viral from my grandfather in 2017? I was the one who produced it! You might look down on me just because I married this guy and left everything to take care of the house... but, my dear colleagues, everyone makes mistakes, and I was foolish to go from being a businesswoman to being this guy's housekeeper... anyway... Look at what I've prepared! I have a few years of management experience, and I'll be finishing college soon! —  I was seething with anger, not only because of the provocative way she was dressed and because all the shareholders were falling for her, but also because of how she had humiliated me in front of those men. What courage! I glanced at her draft, and I was surprised; I didn't know she would be capable of something this good. Probably not her, after all, she was having fun last night... so who had done it? She's dumb and shallow.

— Do you think this will work? This is almost a Utopian plan! — I scoffed.

She looked directly at me, adjusted her suit that I didn't recognize, but it actually suited her quite well, and said, "Yours isn't much worse, actually." The shareholders shifted their gaze from me to her, and that woman looked very beautiful; she was confusing them. It seemed that the separation had done her good, and her goal plan was much better than anything they could come up with for the month, but I wouldn't admit that.

— In fact, I liked this goal plan. Make it work, and you'll have our support, — one of the shareholders said, and everyone agreed. Then they all left. She gave me a mocking smile and left as well. Sycophants, I knew they accepted her here just to court her, sons of mothers.

Asha Smith:

The previous night wasn't easy at all; there were intense emotions and a discovery that made me firmly plant my feet on the ground and become even more determined. Yes, I was pregnant. That man would never know. I checked into the emergency room using Stella's name, and I almost lost my baby. After being discharged, I spent the night working on goal plans because now it wasn't just about me having a good life, but also about my baby.

I was elated when I saw Stella's reaction upon finding out I was expecting a child. Her excitement overflowed from her bright eyes, and a contagious smile lit up her face. She jumped for joy and, hugging me warmly, exclaimed:

— Asha Smith, this is amazing! You're going to be a wonderful mother! —

On the other hand, I carried an additional burden on my shoulders because I was expecting a child from a man who rejects and hates me, a man who doesn't even remember how he fathered this child. At that moment, my heart ached. I would have a child from a man I loved, even though I was hated, but it was mine too. That child would be loved, and they would never discover how much their father despised us. The doctor recommended rest, but that was a bit challenging. I needed to work to provide a good life for my baby, and I was about to take over the presidency of the company the next day, a challenge I was determined to face with strength and determination. The news of the pregnancy, although exciting, also brought a host of worries about how I would balance my personal and professional life.

However, when I arrived at the company, I saw Allan trying to undermine me, a very low move on his part. But fortunately, I was accepted by everyone. I noticed his gaze repeatedly wandering down to my neckline. Everything was set for me to assume the presidency tomorrow, and I would be introduced to all the employees. I left the room determined, leaving Allan with his unreadable look. When one of the company's shareholders stopped me in the hallway and invited me to celebrate my new position, away from Allan's presence, I made an impulsive decision. It was an opportunity to relax and forget, at least for a moment, the complications of my personal life, which were far from being resolved.