Chapter 8: After the Storm.

Willow Inc. HQ.

Third Person.

"Alaric showed how witty he was today and how thorough he could be with research," Mr. Bunduck praises, his voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and respect.

"He also demonstrated remarkable patience and tolerance. That alone was a wisdom that should not have been overlooked," Mrs. Cho adds, her tone earnest, as if she wants the others to truly grasp the significance of what Alaric has accomplished.

Mrs. Lionheart leans forward, her expression brightening with genuine warmth. "I must admit, it's reassuring to know the company is in such capable hands."

Chairman Willow can't help but smile as he glances around the boardroom. “It looks like you're all willing to give my son a chance now.” He feels a flicker of hope swell within him, though uncertainty still nags at the corners of his mind. This isn’t the outcome he had expected, but maybe, just maybe, Alaric is rising to the occasion.

"We must give credit where credit is due, and right now, he deserves it," Mrs. Cho replies, her eyes glimmering with a mixture of admiration and hope.

"I agree. To be honest, I quite enjoyed how he handled everything today," Mr. Bunduck admits, a smile breaking through his usual stern demeanour.

"It's not every day you see someone go head-to-head with the devil herself," Mrs. Lionheart chimes in, her voice lightening with cheer. "If he can do that much, then perhaps he is ready after all. I feel safer leaving the company to him than to that woman."

Chairman Willow's chest swells with pride at their words. “In that case, is everyone in favour of Alaric taking on the role of CEO?” he asks, unable to hide the hopeful tremor in his voice.

“You most certainly have my vote,” Mrs. Lionheart says, her enthusiasm infectious.

“And mine,” Mr. Bunduck is quick to follow.

“Me too,” chimes Mrs. Cho.

“And me.”

“You have mine as well.”

The board members are swift in their agreement, a chorus of support ringing out in the room.

“I’m glad to see you all agree. All that's left is his inauguration, which shall take place as soon as possible,” Chairman Willow concludes, his smile radiating warmth and relief.

“Thank you for listening and for putting your faith in me,” Alaric says, bowing humbly, a mixture of gratitude and disbelief washing over him. “I apologise for my abrupt exit, but I must take my leave now. There is a matter of urgency I need to attend to.” He smiles politely one last time and slips out of the room, leaving behind a buzz of excitement and new beginnings.

As Alaric exits, Javier chuckles awkwardly, hastily gathering his equipment to catch up with his friend.

Alaric feels a surge of satisfaction from handling such a sensitive case, yet an unsettling feeling gnaws at him. There is a particular vermin he needs to confront: Tom Chanler.

* * *

"I understand that you're worried, but your constant pacing is starting to make me dizzy," Liam complains, trying to inject a semblance of calm into the storm of anxiety surrounding them.

Matilda pauses, turning slowly to him, her eyes wide with disbelief. “How are you so calm?” she asks, genuinely amazed.

“It’s a skill I’ve come to master over the years,” he replies, his expression softening slightly.

Liam has filled her in on everything they have discovered, along with a sincere apology for ever doubting her. She hadn't anticipated the depth of betrayal they uncovered. Mr. Ling's treachery feels like a dark shadow looming over them, and she can't shake the feeling of dread that tightens around her heart.

The police dragged them out a while ago; shouldn't they be emerging from the meeting room by now? The board has voted her out because of their lingering suspicions. Now, she is left waiting with Liam, her mind racing through a thousand worst-case scenarios.

Liam is not one for many words, which leaves her brain free to spiral into anxiety. What if Chairman Willow is hurt? How would he react to Mr. Ling's betrayal? Did he lose consciousness again? The possibility churns in her stomach like a storm, making it impossible for her to remain calm.

She turns to resume her pacing but collides with a solid figure, nearly losing her balance. Strong arms catch her, and she looks up, her breath catching in her throat. "Are you okay?" he asks, concern etched on his handsome face.

“Thank you,” she manages to reply, her voice trembling as she regains her composure. His stark black hair is slicked back neatly, revealing a striking pair of silver eyes that seem to pierce through her. Thick eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he stared down at her, igniting an unexpected spark of recognition.

In an instant, she is swept away by the memory of their last encounter—the wild chaos of Inferno and the enigmatic man whose presence has haunted her thoughts since that night. The longer she stares, the more familiar he becomes, and a chill creeps down her spine as the pieces fall into place.

His gaze roams over her features, lingering on her big brown eyes, glossed with curiosity, and then down to her round pink lips. It is as if he is searching for a truth that lies just beyond their grasp.

Suddenly, their eyes widen as the realisation hits them like a jolt. "You?!" they exclaim simultaneously, the shock reverberating between them. He drops her immediately, jumping back as if stung, while Matilda stumbles to regain her footing.

"Ouch!" she yelps, hitting the floor. Did he just drop me? Confusion swirls within her, battling the disbelief that this man—the man from that night—stands before her once more.

She glares at him as she gets to her feet. How could she forget those cold, unflinching eyes? They are just as she remembers, but there is something else—an unsettling resemblance to Chairman Willow that sends her thoughts spiralling.

Why did he come from the meeting room? There is no way he could be who she thinks he is, right?

His expression mirrors her thoughts, the memories of their encounter flashing through his mind. Without a doubt, it is the crazy lady he met at Inferno. But why is she here? His gaze falls on Liam, who has been waiting for them with Miss James, and uncertainty tugs at him.

There is no way the woman who caused this issue in the first place could be her, the employee he has done everything to protect. It can’t be her, can it?

"CEO Willow, why the rush?" Javier quips sarcastically, catching up to Alaric, his tone cutting through the tension like a knife.

Matilda turns slightly to the man who joins them. Javier has messy blonde hair and captivating copper-brown eyes shielded by reading glasses. He stands tall, his features striking yet softer than the man who just dropped her.

As Javier looks between Alaric and Matilda, he senses the air thickening with unspoken tension, confusion flickering across his features. It dawns on him. He has only glimpsed her that night, but she is the woman Alaric spent the night with.

Unaware of the undercurrents swirling around them, Liam steps forward. "Miss Matilda, this is Willow Alaric, the new CEO, and Mr. Javier Santos, his assistant."

Javier, sensing the delicate situation, jumps in quickly. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Matilda, whom I’ve never met before,” he says with a chuckle, extending his hand.

Alaric raises an eyebrow at Javier. Does he not recognise her? "What do you mean we’ve never met—" he starts, only to be interrupted by Matilda.

“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Santos, whom I’ve never met before,” she laughs nervously, shaking his hand but not meeting his eyes.

They both choose to pretend this is their first meeting. She turns to Alaric with a polite smile. “It’s an honour to meet you, sir.” She bows deeply, though her heart races, uncertainty gnawing at her insides.

“Watch where you’re going next time,” he replies curtly before leaving with Javier, the sharpness of his tone leaving her breathless.

"Miss Matilda, you can raise your head; they’re gone," Liam says gently, concern flickering in his eyes.

She stiffly raises her head, forcing an awkward smile. "Oh? I didn't notice." She chuckles, embarrassed by Alaric’s cold dismissal. He didn't have to be so rude, and she feels the sting of it as she sits beside Liam, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

The board members begin pouring out of the meeting room, their spirits high, each too engrossed in their conversations to notice Matilda and Liam. 

“Chairman Willow!” Matilda calls out, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and concern as she rushes to meet him halfway. “How did the meeting go, sir?” Hope shimmers in her voice, a fragile thread holding her anxiety at bay.

He breaks into a proud smile, his expression warm and genuine. “Much better than I could have possibly hoped for.”

A wave of relief washes over Matilda, and she feels the tension in her shoulders ease. “That’s a relief, sir,” she says, genuinely glad to see him in good spirits. The news of Mr. Ling’s betrayal hasn’t cut as deeply as she feared.

“Indeed it is. My son did a fantastic job today,” Chairman Willow replies, his eyes twinkling with pride as he looks toward the horizon of his future. “I can almost feel at ease during my vacation.” But even as he speaks, a shadow flickers across his face, a hint of doubt lurking beneath the surface.

“If you don’t mind me asking, sir, why ‘almost’?” Matilda probes gently, her curiosity ignited by the subtle unease she senses in him.

He sighs, his expression shifting from pride to worry. “I can’t admit it to the board, but my son has no real experience; he’s worse off than an intern. He may be intelligent, but intelligence alone isn’t enough to survive here.” The weight of his words hangs heavily between them, a palpable anxiety. “He’ll need someone reliable and trustworthy by his side to guide him through everything.” Matilda listens intently, absorbing the gravity of his concerns.

“That’s why I’m considering making you my son’s secretary.”

Matilda’s mouth drops open in horror, her mind racing with disbelief. “Me?” she stammers, the implications of his words crashing over her like a wave.

As the chairman’s gaze lingers on her, she feels the weight of unspoken expectations settling on her shoulders, the echo of his trust ringing in her ears. What lies ahead is uncertain, but one thing is clear.

The lines between her duty and her past are about to blur in ways she could never have imagined.