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UNWELCOME PRESENCE

Every conversation in the executive hallway died as the boardroom door slipped open.

Avery stepped out first.

The click of her black heels echoed through the marble floor, slow and steady.

She never looked back.

Not once.

Employees who didn’t see her when she came in for the meeting stood frozen.

All pretending to organize files or answer mails.

But every pair of their eyes following her.

“Is that..?”

“It can’t be.”

“I thought she disappeared.”

“No…that’s Avery Hale.”

“The former fiancé.”

“The new shareholder.”

They all kept whispering.

Avery could hear every single one of them.

But she simply kept walking.

Three years ago, those same people had smiled at her.

They had congratulated her on her engagement with Grant.

They had all called her “Mrs Knox” before the wedding ever happened.

Three years later, now they looked at her like she had returned from the dead.

Good

Because to her, fear was far more useful than sympathy.

Without slowing her pace, she adjusted the sleeve of her white blazer.

The executive assistant quickly rushed to her.

“Miss Avery.”

Avery stopped as the young assistant approached, her nervous smile barely hiding the tension in her eyes.

“I have been instructed to show you to your office.” She said.

Avery nodded once.

“Lead the way.” She replied.

The boardroom remained silent after Avery and the other shareholders left.

Grant hadn’t moved.

He stood beside the floor to ceiling windows, his firm hands tucked to his pockets staring out to the city.

His perfectly sculpted jaw clenched hard.

Lola quietly closed the boardroom door.

“They are already talking.” She said.

But he didn’t answer.

He had nothing to say no matter how hard he tried to form the words.

“The news will spread through every department before lunch.” Lola continued.

Still nothing.

She quietly studied Grant’s expression.

“You didn’t expect this.”

“I expected resistance.” Grant responded.

“She was the least person you expected, admit it.”

His eyes hardened.

“No.” He finally said it.

“Find out everything.” He gave the order.

Lola frowned.

“Everything?”

“I want financial records.”

She nodded.

“I want every company she’s worked with this past three years.

Another nod followed.

“I want to know who funded the purchase of those shares.”

She quickly scribbled notes because she knew how strict Grant was when it comes to information.

“ I want to know where she’s lived.”

“What she’s done.”

“Who she’s met.”

“Who she’s been with.”

“What happened during the last three years.”

He paused, his jaw tightening.

“And I want answers before she makes another move.”

Lola hesitated.

“You think she is planning something bigger?” She asked.

He stared towards the closed door.

“ I know she is.” Grant replied.

He remembered the certainty in her eyes.

The confidence she eluded.

Her hatred for him.

He was certain it wasn’t the the look of a woman seeking revenge out of emotion.

It was strategy.

Which meant.

She was already five moves ahead.

And he hated not knowing the game.

The elevator door opened on the forty-sixth floor.

Avery followed the executive assistant.

Standing In front of them was a pair of polished walnut door.

She swallowed.

“The office was prepared for you yesterday.” She quietly said trying not to meet Avery’s eyes.

Avery raised one eyebrow.

“So quick?” She asked.

“The board received instructions immediately the share transfer was confirmed.” She responded.

Of course.

Money moved faster than emotions, Avery said to herself.

The door was quietly opened by the assistant.

Avery stepped inside and stopped in her tracks.

The office overlooked the entire city skyline.

A dark oak shelves lined one wall.

The floor to ceiling windows were designed by modern artwork.

A sleek glass desk occupied the center of the room.

Fresh orchids rested near the window.

Everything smelled new.

Unused.

Untouched.

Like a place waiting for its owner.

She could tell with just a single glance at the room.

For a long moment, she couldn’t utter a word.

Three years ago, she had imagined standing near Grant in an office like this.

As his wife.

As his partner.

Life laughed at those dreams.

For one dangerous heartbeat, the memory threatened to pull her backward.

She crushed it before it could take root.

That woman no longer existed

Now.

She stood here because she had earned her place.

Not through love.

But through power.

Avery took slow and gentle steps towards the window.

Far below, she watched the city continue as though nothing had changed.

But everything had.

Somewhere beneath the pride, an old wound still ached.

She simply refused to let anyone see it.

“Is everything satisfactory, Miss Avery?”

Avery smiled faintly.

“It’s perfect.”

An hour later.

The introductions began.

Each department heads arrived one after the other.

Some smiled too quickly.

Some were too scared to meet her eyes.

While others congratulated her with rehearsed enthusiasm.

But she wasn’t stupid.

She noticed every fake expression.

Every forced handshake.

Every nervous glance.

One man lingered after the others left.

His name tag read:

Christian Brooks.

Director of corporate strategy.

He closed the door behind him.

“I wanted to welcome you personally.” He said.

“Thank you.” Avery responded.

“Most people won’t say this….

Avery waited.

But I’m glad you are back.” He continued.

She studied him carefully.

“Why?” Avery asked.

He gave a faint smile.

“Because someone finally isn’t afraid of Grant Knox.”

He said.

Interesting.

“You have worked for him a long time?”

“Eight years.”

“And?”

Christian looked towards the hallway before lowering his voice to speak.

“Mr. Knox inspires loyalty.”

He paused.

Avery waited for him to continue.

“But he also inspires fear.”

He straightened his tie.

“Not everyone is your enemy.” He said.

Before Avery could respond, he turned and left.

She watched the door close.

One ally perhaps, she thought to herself.

Or maybe another trap.

But either way, she was going to verify herself.

Because trust was a luxury she could no longer afford.

It was late afternoon.

The executive hallway had finally quieted a bit.

Avery stepped out of her office carrying a file.

At the opposite end of the corridor…

Grant emerged from the elevator.

They stopped at exactly the same moment.

Employees nearby instantly found reasons to disappear.

The hallway quickly emptied.

Neither of them moved.

Every instinct told her to remember the man she once loved.

She ignored it.

Loving him had nearly destroyed her once.

It would never happen again.

The silence between them stretched

Grant broke it first.

“You certainly made an entrance.” He said.

Avery’s lips curved into a cool smile.

“I wasn’t aware I needed your permission.” Avery responded.

“I barely recognize you anymore.” Grant muttered.

“So have you.” She said.

She had imagined this conversation a hundred times.

He walked closer.

“After everything, is there really nothing left between us except this?” He asked.

His expression remained unreadable, but his fingers curled into a fist at his side.

She held his gaze, not looking away.

I know there isn’t anymore.” Avery said.

Grant looked away for the briefest moment.

His expression didn’t change but something in his eyes did.

Regrets perhaps.

Or anger.

“Maybe I earned that.”

“There was a time I thought we’d standing in this hallway for very different reasons.” He muttered quietly.

Avery recognized the regret in his eyes.

But she wasn’t going to let that deceive her.

She let out a quiet laugh.

“No, Grant.”

Her voice was calm enough to cut glass.

“I don’t know what it is you wanted, but whatever it is, you are about to get a whole lot of it.” She responded.

She stepped around him.

For a brief second, their shoulders nearly brushed.

Without looking back, she said.

“The company is only the beginning.”

Grant watched her disappear down the corridor.

She hadn’t looked back.

Not once.

For the first time in three years

He realized he wasn’t afraid of losing the company.

He was afraid he’d already lost her forever.