TWO NIGHTS, TWO BILLIONAIRES

CHAPTER 2

“Good Morning Everyone,” Isabela’s voice rang through the room, firm and unwavering. She adjusted the microphone, scanning through the crowd with a cool, assessing gaze.

“I am aware of the news circulating about this company’s supposed financial troubles, but let me clear the air: Blackwood Enterprises is not going bankrupt and can never go bankrupt.” She assured in a firm and authentic tone.

A hush fell over the employees, their murmuring halting as they hung onto every word.

“Yes, there have been some… discrepancies,” she continued, her voice measured, “but our legal team and internal auditors are handling them as we speak. These fraudulent acts will not define us, nor will they hinder our success. Blackwood Enterprises will always remain strong,” she concluded.

“We need to …,” Raven stepped into the conference room. It was five minutes past nine, and her presence cut through Isabela’s speech as her sharp hills clicked against the polished floor. It was an unusual occurrence that did not go unnoticed.

Her body language was filled with something uncertain, almost anxious, but just as quickly as it appeared, she was able to summon the last courage to mask it with an air of composure, although it seemed shaky.

“I hope all is well?” Sophie asked her with a tone laced with curiosity and concern. Raved nodded slowly.

Isabela continued, moving her gaze from Raven’s direction. “We need to be open-minded and, as much as possible, share any vital information that seems susceptible to fraud. The legal team are very open to your information and cooperation.”

The air of the conference room is still thick with murmurs of uncertainty as they all fear they could lose their jobs if the bankruptcy rumours are true.

The rumours had already spread like wildfire.

Claims that Blackwood Enterprises were on the brink of collapse due to internal fraud. And everyone had waited for someone to finally address it.

The speech of Isabela Blackwood weighed nothing compared to the uncertainty in the mind of the employee.

Isabela took a brief pause before adding, “As you are all aware, Grayson Blackwood is currently away on a business trip, but he will return on Monday as we prepare for Blackwood’s yearly party. And let me assure you, he is fully aware of the situation and fully prepared to address any concern,”

“Until then, I will personally oversee all operations alongside the Chief Operating Officer, Mason Blackwood, to ensure stability and efficiency.”

Some staff members exchanged glances, their hushed conversations resuming.

“Why make this announcement today? "I have to put my weekend plan on hold to listen to this speech for a few minutes,” someone whispered.

“Why not wait until the CEO is back?” another employee muttered.

“I don’t know, but something feels off,” another murmured.

Isabela, unfazed by the skepticism, offered a sharp smile. "If you have any further concerns, I suggest you direct them to HR or your immediate supervisors," she advised. "For now, this rumour should be kept away from this organization henceforth and, with immediate effect, let's get back to work and put all distractions behind us." she urged with a satisfied grin.

“You all got an email saying that the close of business today is 2 pm. Let’s tidy our backlogs as soon as possible,” she concluded.

She stepped down from the podium, her posture unwavering, her authority unquestionable.

After the speech, Isabela made her way up to her office. The moment she shut the door behind her, she exhaled, pressing a hand towards her temple. She didn't have time for distraction.

A soft knock on her door. “Come in,” she said.

Raven entered hesitantly, her small frame almost swallowed by the grandeur of Isabela’s office. Her hands fidgeted slightly as she stepped closer, clearly uneasy.

“You want to see me, ma’am?” Raven asked, her voice soft.

Isabela gestured for her to sit. “Raven, I am going to be direct with you.” she leaned forward, her eyes locking into Raven’s.

“I don’t want you to attend my briefings anymore, nor you working late. Do I make myself clear?” Raven blinked, clearly confused.

“I—uh—HR sent out a message to all the staff to attend-” “Yes.” Isabela cut her off, her tone clipped. “HR sent a general message to everyone, but I called you again specifically and asked you to come. Do you know why?” she asked.

Raven swallowed, her finger tightened on the arms of the chair.

“No ma’am,” she replied, her voice trembling.

Isabela tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a slow, almost knowing smile. “Because I want to personally warn you not to try what I am about to tell you.”

Raven’s pulse quickened.

“As the CEO’s secretary, you know that any meeting of this nature must be reported to him,” Isabela continued smoothly. “Yet you came in late," she teased.

"But I am trusting you to handle this. We don’t need to involve Grayson Blackwood in this little crisis until it’s resolved, do we?” Raven hesitated, unsure of what to say.

Isabela sighed, her tone softening just a fraction. “Look, I know you are loyal to your job and Grayson, and I respect that a lot. But things are better handled and fixed quietly before presenting to the CEO,” she remarked, picking a pen from the table.

“If we can fix this rumour before the CEO returns, would that not be ideal?” she asked in a soft but commanding voice. Raven nodded hesitantly. “I suppose so.”

“Good.” Isabela leaned back satisfied. “Let’s keep it that way,” she demanded. Raven rose from her chair slowly. “Understood ma’am.”

Isabela watched as she walked out of her office, her expression unreadable. Raven shot the door behind her, her heart racing quickly as she walked through every department, finding her way back to her office, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

Staff continued to murmur. “Did you see Isabela this morning?” a staff member whispered near the break room. “She looked a little… off. “I still don’t know why she couldn’t wait until Monday,” another replied, feeling rushed.

Raven’s gaze drifted to the marketing department’s office. Mason Blackwood leaned against a desk, flashing his signature charming smile.

Raven was curious about who Mason was smiling at. She walked closer to the door and found out it was one of the interns. She chuckled lightly. “He should be in the warehouse,” Raven muttered.

“You know,” Mason Blackwood mused, facing the intern from the desk he was leaning against. “I bet the only real scandal around here is how a beauty like you keeps getting stuck behind a desk, instead of enjoying a weekend out."

The intern giggled, though others rolled their eyes. They were once his favourites.

“Does he ever take anything seriously?” one male employee asked.

“Not when there is a pretty girl within ten feet of him,” another female employee replied, in an angry tone.

Slowly, Mason moved closer to the Intern as their conversation continued. The tension from the announcement lingered, but for some, the distraction of Mason’s flirtation was almost a break.

Raven entered her office, and her phone rang. It was her guardian, Granny May. She picked up the call. "Hello granny," her voice, weak and exhausted. "Call me when you're home; I have some important information for you," May ended the call.