Breaking Billionaire Rules

Chapter 4

Ethan's POV

Jackson opened the door in a hurry as he saw me walked hurriedly towards the car.

I had slept so late last night that I didn't even remember to set the alarm for the this morning. Today was a work day, and the worst part, it was also the day we usually have strategy meetings at the company.

I had a project I was working on which took me late into the night. I knew Nathan would be so pissed by now.

He was never a fan of being delayed or getting late to work, although he worked under me, he would still challenge me anytime I was late, especially days when there were meetings that had to do with his department.

And this was one of those days.

“I need to get to the office on time, Jackson. I'm very sure my presence will be needed already.” I said, settling into the plush seat as Jackson closed the door behind me and took his position in the front seat.

Nathan would never start the meeting unless I was there. He doesn't like going through the stress of replaying what happened at the meeting to me.

“Got it, boss.” Jackson answered, tightening his seatbelt and starting the car.

The engine hummed quietly as the car drifted out of the driveway. I stared at the moving traffic and trees as we moved, and for a moment, I felt some kind of weight being lifted from my shoulder as I observed life moving rhythmically at its own pace.

As I got into the elevator and started going to the upper floors, I saw a message beeped on my phone. And just like I had imagined, it was Nathan, reminding me of the meeting that was about to start.

I came out of the elevator and went directly to the conference room. “Apologies, everybody. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting.” I said as I walked hurriedly to my seat.

I could hear some few murmurs, it was obvious some weren't happy at me for keeping them waiting, but none had the courage to speak.

I guess they still valued their job!.

“Alright, everyone. Let's begin.” Nathan said as he began the meeting, a sleek screen lit up behind him, the homepage flashing the company mottos in black and gold: Discipline. Vision. Execution.

I watched as Nathan took a recap of our previous meeting and the progress made so far, his words blurring away as each moment passed by.

What actually got my attention was the way Isla Morgan comported herself, like this was nothing new to her.

As expected of all interns, they were always nervous in the first meeting, this was something common with all the interns we've had in the past. But this was different.

She didn't even flinch a bit or show any sign of nervousness, which really triggered my interest. She stood too still for someone so new. Most interns fidget. They shrink into walls and whisper when spoken to, and either nod too often or talk too little.

Isla Morgan did none of that, she sat as if she belonged– her chin steady with an unreadable expression– as if she already knew this company, this room, and everyone in it would underestimate her.

I made a mental note and forced myself to turn away.

The presentation was a quarterly report of numbers I'd already torn apart the night before. But the board needed it sanitized and glossy. For them, strategy had to look like confidence, even when the ground beneath us was shifting.

Across the table, Nathan Ellis was still speaking, running through the Latin American Expansion initiative with his usual pomp.

I wasn't paying much attention, so I just let him ramble.

“Mr. Blackwell. Over to you.” Nathan said as he finished speaking, calling me over to give a final review of the report and have everyone dismissed.

I stood up confidently, adjusting the collar of my suit as I faced everyone. “Alright, thanks for that wonderful session, Nathan.” I said, although I never paid any attention to whatever he had said.

I trusted Nathan to always deliver. “So, before the meeting is dismissed, does anyone have any question or suggestion to make?” I asked, scanning everyone's face as I stood tall in front.

I wasn't expecting any question anyway, it was always the same way all the time. You ask for suggestions at the end of each meeting, but none of these interns ever had something to say. Ever!

But, to my surprise, I saw someone raise their hand from the other side of the table. And it was no other person than Isla Morgan.

“Yes. Ms. Morgan.” I asked, suddenly taken aback by her boldness.

“The risk assessment numbers are incomplete.” She said as she stood up, walking towards the screen.

“Pardon?”

The room stilled. Then slowly, heads turned toward Isla. Not only because she had spoken, but because she didn't look remotely surprised.

Interesting!.

“The regional risk model doesn't account for digital infrastructure volatility in the southern corridor.” She said confidently, now standing directly beside me, pointing hands at the big screen in front of everyone. “ You're building projections off data that's already outdated by three months. If we proceed under that assumption, we'll lose market trust before we make our first move.” She concluded, scanning everyone's face as if waiting for their reactions.

Nathan stood up unexpectedly from his seat, he seemed to be more surprised and impressed at the same time than I was.

“Wow. Ms Morgan. I'll have the team re-run the model. That is a commendable observation right there.” he said, a big smile on his face as he clapped and the others joined in giving her a round of applause.

“Good work, Ms Morgan.” I said to her as she went back to her seat.

I dismissed everyone and started packing my documents from the table as everyone started going back to their respective workstations.

I noticed Nathan speaking with Isla at the entrance.

“She must have really swept him off his feet with that display of hers.” I whispered to myself. I had a load of projects to attend to for the day. But the most important one at that moment was to go look into Isla Morgan's file. Any other thing could wait.

Such interns were hard to come by, and I really needed to have a background check on her, and if possible, what gave her that confidence she carried everywhere with her.