CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Chapter Seventeen

Anderson sat in his office, the weight of the recent board meeting still heavy on his shoulders. The threat of losing his position as CEO loomed over him like a dark cloud, and every phone call, every email felt like another reminder of the precarious state of his company. He stared at the financial reports spread across his desk, the numbers blurring as his mind raced to find a solution.

A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. Anderson glanced up to see Agnes standing in the doorway, her expression determined. She had been a constant presence over the past few days, always offering support and ideas, trying to keep his spirits up as he fought to maintain his grip on the company.

“Anderson, I’ve been thinking,” Agnes began, stepping into the office and closing the door behind her. “We need to do something bold, something that shows the board and the shareholders that you’re still in control.”

Anderson leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I’m listening,” he said, though his tone was edged with skepticism. He was wary of bold moves—one wrong step could give his rivals the leverage they needed to push him out for good.

Agnes pulled a chair closer and sat down, spreading a series of documents on the desk in front of him. “We need to inject new capital into the company,” she said, pointing to a graph that showed a steep decline in stock prices. “If we can secure a major investment, it will boost investor confidence and drive up our stock prices. But more than that, it will give us the liquidity we need to innovate and expand.”

Anderson nodded, following her logic. “Alright, but where do we get this capital from? Most of our usual investors are skittish right now.”

Agnes smiled, her eyes lighting up with a glimmer of excitement. “That’s where this comes in,” she said, sliding a folder across the desk. “There’s a tech company called NovaTech that’s looking to diversify their portfolio. They’re flush with cash and eager to partner with a company that can give them a foothold in new markets.”

Anderson flipped through the folder, scanning the details. NovaTech was a well-known name in the industry, a fast-growing company with a reputation for aggressive expansion. Partnering with them could provide the influx of capital he needed—but it wouldn’t come without its risks.

“What’s the catch?” Anderson asked, his brow furrowing as he read through the terms. “No one invests this kind of money without wanting something significant in return.”

Agnes hesitated, her expression turning serious. “NovaTech wants a share of the company,” she said slowly. “Not just a small stake—they’re looking for a significant portion, enough to give them a voice on the board. They’ll be hands-on partners, and they’ll want a say in how things are run.”

Anderson’s eyes darkened, his grip tightening on the folder. “You mean they want control,” he said, his voice edged with distrust. “This isn’t just an investment—it’s a takeover.”

Agnes shook her head, leaning forward. “Not if we play it right,” she countered. “If we negotiate carefully, we can structure the deal to protect your majority stake and your position as CEO. But it will require some concessions—shared decision-making, possibly even a restructured board. It’s tricky, but it’s doable.”

Anderson sighed, his mind racing as he weighed the options. The deal was fraught with risks, but the potential rewards were too significant to ignore. If he could pull it off, it would not only stabilize the company but also send a strong message to the board and the shareholders that he was still in charge.

“Alright,” Anderson said finally, his voice firm. “Let’s explore it. Set up a meeting with NovaTech, and let’s see what they’re proposing.”

Agnes smiled, her relief evident. “I’ll get on it right away,” she said, standing up. “We’ll make this work, Anderson. I believe in you.”

Anderson nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. For the first time in weeks, he felt a flicker of hope—a sense that, with the right moves, he could turn things around. And as Agnes left the office to make the necessary arrangements, Anderson allowed himself a moment to savor the possibility of victory.

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Back at Michael’s office, the atmosphere was tense as he sat behind his desk, sorting through a mountain of paperwork. His workload had grown unmanageable, the constant demands of the business leaving him with little time to address his personal life. He knew he needed help—someone who could take on the day-to-day tasks and free him up to focus on the bigger picture.

“Charlotte,” Michael called out to his secretary, who was busy typing at her desk just outside his office. “I need you to find me a personal assistant. Someone reliable, experienced, and able to start immediately.”

Charlotte nodded, making a note on her clipboard. “Of course, Mr. Michael. I’ll start screening candidates right away.”

Michael leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair as he thought about what he needed. He wasn’t just looking for someone to organize his schedule or handle his calls—he needed someone who could handle the chaos of his life, someone who could keep things running smoothly while he dealt with the complexities of his business and his fraying relationship with Wanda.

As he watched Charlotte leave to begin the search, Michael’s thoughts drifted to Wanda. Their relationship had become a battleground, every interaction laced with tension and unspoken resentments. He knew he was being unfair to her, but he couldn’t seem to help it. Every time he looked at her, he was reminded of everything that wasn’t working—the promises unkept, the plans unfulfilled. And the more he tried to make things right, the more it seemed to unravel.

Michael sighed, turning his attention back to the stack of reports on his desk. He needed to focus, to push through the noise in his head and get back on track. But just as he began to dive into the next set of figures, Charlotte reappeared at his door, a curious expression on her face.

“Mr. Michael, I’ve found someone who’s interested in the assistant position,” she said, her tone cautious. “She’s actually here now. Would you like to meet her?”

Michael glanced at the clock, surprised by the quick turnaround. “Already?” he asked, setting his pen down. “That was fast.”

Charlotte nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “She was in the area and available immediately. I thought it might be worth a look.”

Michael shrugged, gesturing for Charlotte to bring the candidate in. He was tired of waiting, tired of the endless delays and complications. If this person was ready to start right away, then that was good enough for him.

Charlotte stepped aside, and a moment later, the door swung open to reveal the last person Michael had expected to see. Martha walked in, her stride confident and her smile smooth as she met Michael’s startled gaze.

“Michael,” Martha greeted, her voice warm and polished. “I hope you don’t mind the surprise. I heard you were looking for a personal assistant, and I thought… why not?”

Michael stared at her, his mind racing as he tried to process the sudden turn of events. Of all the candidates, of all the possibilities, it had to be Martha. She looked poised and professional, dressed in a sleek business suit that only accentuated the sense of familiarity that hung between them.

“Martha,” Michael finally said, his voice laced with disbelief. “What are you doing here?”

Martha’s smile widened, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. “I told you, I was in the area,” she said lightly, taking a seat across from him. “And besides, I think we both know I’m more than qualified for the job. I know how you work, Michael. I know what you need.”

Michael’s initial shock began to fade, replaced by a mix of frustration and intrigue. He couldn’t deny that Martha was capable—she had been by his side during some of the most critical moments of his career. But he also knew that her presence would bring complications, especially with Wanda already on edge.

“Why now?” Michael asked, his voice sharp as he leaned forward. “What’s your angle, Martha?”

Martha tilted her head, her expression turning more serious. “No angle,” she said softly. “Just an opportunity. For both of us. I’m good at what I do, Michael, and I think you could use someone like me right now. Someone who gets it.”

Michael hesitated, his mind weighing the pros and cons. He knew hiring Martha could be a dangerous move, a decision that might further strain his already fragile marriage with Wanda. But he also couldn’t deny the allure of having someone who understood him, who could navigate the intricacies of his world without needing constant guidance.

“Alright,” Michael said finally, his voice guarded. “We’ll try this. But make no mistake, Martha—this isn’t a repeat of the past. You work for me, nothing more.”

Martha nodded, her smile never faltering. “Understood,” she said, standing up and extending her hand. “I’m looking forward to working with you, Michael.”

As they shook hands, Michael felt a rush of conflicting emotions—excitement, wariness, a flicker of something that he

couldn’t quite name. He knew he was playing with fire, but for now, he was willing to take the risk.

And as Martha left his office, Michael couldn’t help but wonder how long it would be before the flames began to