CHAPTER FOUR
1316 Words
Monroe Group – Boardroom
The long glass table reflected tension.
Board members sat in silence, files open, expressions tight.
At the head of the table sat Rosette Monroe.
Cold. Composed. Unshaken.
“We proceed with the Crest Point bidding,” she said firmly. “And we do it clean.”
A chair scraped slightly.
Mr. Damian leaned forward, displeased.
“I don’t agree.”
Silence fell.
Then—
Rosette’s voice cut through the room.
Sharp. Icy.
“Mr. Damian… if you have a problem with the board’s direction, say it properly.”
Her eyes locked onto his.
“Don’t bark around it.”
Murmurs stirred.
Damian’s face darkened.
“I am old enough to be your father,” he snapped. “Watch how you speak to me.”
Rosette didn’t blink.
“And I am the CEO of Monroe Group,” she replied calmly.
“Which means every decision here passes through me.”
She leaned forward slightly.
“If the board exists only to agree blindly, then it serves no purpose.”
A pause.
“But if you’re here to advise—then do so with sense.”
Damian scoffed.
“You want us to compete fairly?” he said. “Against companies that don’t play fair?”
He shook his head.
“That’s how we’ve been losing.”
Rosette’s expression hardened.
“We’re not ‘companies,’” she said. “We’re Monroe Group.”
Her voice lowered, but carried weight.
“We don’t cheat to win.”
A tense silence followed.
Then she continued—
“If we win, we win with integrity.”
A beat.
“And if we lose… then we lose knowing we did it right.”
Someone scoffed quietly.
Another voice spoke up.
“Young lady… the real world doesn’t work like that.”
Rosette leaned back, unfazed.
“No,” she said.
“It works exactly like that.”
Her gaze swept across the room.
“You just chose to forget.”
The room shifted.
Some members exchanged looks.
Others remained rigid.
Damian shook his head, standing up.
“This is pointless.”
One by one, a few others rose, murmuring among themselves.
The meeting began to fracture.
Rosette didn’t stop them.
She simply watched.
“We are not ‘everyone,’” she said into the tension.
Her voice wasn’t loud—but it carried.
“We don’t follow the crowd just because it’s easier.”
A pause.
“We stand alone if we have to… and do what is right.”
Silence.
That line landed.
One of the board members slowly sat back down.
Then another.
“I think… she’s right,” someone said.
Damian scoffed.
“I’ve been part of this company long before she was born,” he muttered.
“What does she know about right and wrong?”
Another member spoke calmly.
“And what happens when this gets out?”
“What will the public think?”
A pause.
“Reputation matters.”
The room quieted again.
This time—thoughtful.
Eventually, the meeting dissolved.
Chairs emptied.
Footsteps faded.
Damian remained behind.
Alone.
His hand slammed against the table.
His jaw tightened.
“That girl…” he muttered.
His eyes darkened.
“You’ll regret this.”
Monroe Group – CEO Office
Rosette pushed the door open—
Then paused.
“Mr. Silverstone?”
He stood by the window, hands behind his back, smiling as he turned.
“Rosette.”
She stepped in, composed but slightly surprised.
“I didn’t expect you here.”
Before he could reply, the door opened again.
A young woman walked in.
Elegant. Calm. Observant.
Rosette’s gaze shifted to her immediately.
“…And who is this?”
Mr. Silverstone chuckled.
“My daughter. Elena.”
A brief silence.
Rosette studied her carefully.
Then nodded once.
“I see.”
She turned back to Mr. Silverstone.
“So, what brings you here?”
He didn’t waste time.
“I just came from the Vander villa.”
Rosette’s expression didn’t change—but her eyes sharpened slightly.
“And?”
“There’s a possibility of an alliance,” he said smoothly.
“Through marriage.”
That got a reaction.
Rosette’s voice cooled.
“With the Vanders?”
A pause.
“You’re aware of the tension between them and our side.”
Her gaze held his.
“As one of our partners… this affects trust.”
Mr. Silverstone waved it off lightly.
“Rosette, relax. I have everything under control.”
She didn’t look convinced.
But she didn’t push further.
Instead, she shifted the topic.
“Why bring Elena here?”
He smiled.
“She’s been studying abroad. It’s time she starts learning the business.”
A glance at his daughter.
“Someday, she’ll take over.”
Rosette nodded politely.
“Of course.”
A call came in.
Mr. Silverstone checked his phone.
“I have to take this.”
He turned to Elena.
“Stay here. Get acquainted.”
Then he stepped out.
Silence.
Elena stepped forward first, extending her hand.
“Elena Silverstone.”
“A pleasure.”
Rosette accepted the handshake, her smile polite but measured.
“Rosette Monroe.”
They sat.
A quiet tension settled between them.
“You’ve been abroad?” Rosette asked.
“Yes.”
“Studying?”
Elena nodded.
A brief pause.
Then Rosette asked—
“So… you’re getting married to Ryan Vander?”
Elena didn’t answer immediately.
Then—
“Yes.”
Rosette leaned back slightly, studying her.
“Interesting.”
A faint, unreadable smile touched her lips.
“That man… doesn’t seem easy to deal with.”
Elena met her gaze calmly.
“Marriage isn’t always about preference.”
Rosette’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“If you don’t want it, you could refuse.”
A beat.
“Your father might listen.”
Elena shook her head lightly.
“There are benefits to this arrangement.”
Her tone remained composed.
“And I intend to make use of them.”
That answer lingered.
Rosette smiled faintly.
Not warm.
Not cold.
Just… knowing.
“You’ll manage,” she said.
A pause.
“Let’s see how things unfold.”
The door opened as Mr. Silverstone walked back in, a satisfied smile on his face.
He looked between Rosette and Elena.
“Well,” he said lightly, “it seems you two have had a good first meeting.”
Rosette smiled politely.
“Yes, Mr. Silverstone.”
He nodded, pleased.
“Good.”
Rosette continued, her tone calm and professional.
“Elena will be accompanying me to the Kingsley Mansion this weekend.”
Mr. Silverstone paused slightly.
“The Kingsley Mansion?”
“Yes,” Rosette replied. “There’s a Victorian-themed party hosted by Aria Kingsley.”
She folded her hands neatly on the desk.
“It’s a gathering of influential families and social elites. I believe it will be a good opportunity for Elena to familiarize herself with that environment.”
Understanding settled on his face.
Then he smiled.
“I see. That’s a very good idea.”
He turned to Elena.
“You should go.”
Elena nodded.
“Of course.”
Rosette added,
“Saturday evening. I’ll have someone arrange transportation.”
Mr. Silverstone waved his hand dismissively.
“No need. I’ll personally bring her.”
A small smile followed.
“First impressions matter.”
Rosette inclined her head slightly.
“As you wish.”
After a few more polite exchanges, Mr. Silverstone took his leave.
The door closed behind him.
Silence filled the office once again.
Rosette and Elena were left alone.
For a brief moment, they simply looked at each other.
Then both smiled.
Polite. Controlled. Guarded.
Elena turned to leave.
But as she reached the door, something lingered in her chest.
A strange feeling she couldn’t explain.
Why does my heart feel unsettled around her?
Behind her, Rosette watched quietly.
Her expression remained calm—
But her thoughts were far from it.
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