The CEO's Emotional Upgrade

The Proposal

The air hung heavy in the aftermath of Wyatt's outburst. Jess, desperate to save herself and the PR team, blurted out, "Boss, maybe you should consider enrolling in my aunt's life coaching classes. She's amazing, and..."

Wyatt’s mouth dropped. What did the girl just say…

Wyatt's jaw clenched. A life coach? Was he supposed to be some broken toy needing fixing? Anger flared anew. Those factory workers were demanding too much, too entitled! Disbanding them was a sound business decision.

“I've never seen such a defeatist attitude," he growled. "Netizens? Damn them! They have no idea what it takes to build an empire like Thorne Industries!"

His gaze swept the room, landing on the assistant and the PR team huddled together, fear etched on their faces. Had he just lost it? Was his dream, the Thorne 8000, at risk? Billions poured into the project, and now it was all hanging in the balance.

The PR team cower together once again, shaking involuntarily. They didn’t say anything wrong; the current situation demands it, if nothing is done to appease the public.

Suddenly, Wyatt felt a surge of defiance. These people wouldn't break him. He wouldn't let them. Enough of all this!

“You're all fired," he roared. "Incompetent! This company deserves better – and so does my image!" His frustration bubbled, fueled by the constant drain these so-called employees seemed to be. The Thorne Empire deserved better.

His image deserves better.

“Out of my building immediately!!” he snarled, icy blue eyes flashing with fury.

They failed, totally failed him.

It didn’t take time for the room's energy to worsen after Wyatt’s words. His assistant and the whole PR team scrambled to their feet begging for mercy. Thorne Empire is the food.

"Boss, please, we can fix this!"

"Mr. Thorne, give us another chance!"

“But Mr. Thorne, my Aunt, is a life coach known for her infectious optimism and ability to connect with people. Maybe...” Assistant Jess wanted her boss to know she was telling the truth and insisted he see her Aunt for himself.

Lyra is not just any other coach; she is the true means of life transformation. That’s why she knows her boss will be a new person once she is done with him.

“Boss, don’t send us away, we will sort all this out.” The PR team weren’t left out in the persuasion game. They will sort it out, they will do all necessary.

"But Boss," the PR manager stammered, his voice barely a whisper, "what if there was a way to turn this around?"

Wyatt slammed his phone down, a flicker of curiosity battling his anger. "Explain."

Hesitantly, the manager continued, "We need a solution that shows empathy and humanizes you. Perhaps... perhaps a public outreach campaign?"

Wyatt scoffed. "Publicity stunts won't save me."

With a growl, he grabbed his cell phone, the screen assaulted by a barrage of notifications. Headlines screamed: “Thorne CEO Meltdown: A Corporate Tyrant”

His stomach churned as he scrolled through the scathing articles and comments. The PR team was right. His image needed saving.

His image needs repair.

“But... Boss, if Miss Lyra is this good, then we need her.” The trembling PR manager spoke. The woman will really be of help if the man let his ego down because right now, he needs a miracle to save him from the angry netizens after what he had done.

He glared at them all. What the heck?

“So, you know Miss Lyra as well?” he suddenly asked, snooping.

The manager now regrets calling the woman’s name. If only he had known. “Well, Mr. Thorne… the thing is, Miss Jessica over here always talks to her Aunt here. That’s how I know the woman.”

Wyatt raised an eyebrow. “So, your Aunt has been disturbing my workplace, and you think she can help this situation?”

A life coach for him? "And what makes you think this Lyra Rivera can fix me?" he challenged.

Jess met his gaze. "She's not here to fix you, Mr. Thorne. She might be able to help you… understand how to connect with people better. You wouldn't be the first successful CEO to benefit from life coaching."

Wyatt was tired, the girl was not there, but her presence was already making its way, “Tell me more about this Lyra Rivera," he muttered, his voice softer now.

He has a lot at stake. Those netizens won’t win.

But if only Wyatt knew what his words had done. The man’s single sentence had sent an ice down to the burning souls of Jessica and the PR team.

Finally, he can now be reasoned with.

Upon hearing the relieving words from her boss, assistant Jess quickly rose up. Her position is safe. She is still the great assistant of Wyatt Thorne.

Jess's face broke into a relieved smile. "Yes, Mr. Thorne! Lyra Rivera is the best. She..."

Wyatt held up a hand, silencing her. "Hold on. Forget the best. What can she do for me?"

Jess launched into a passionate description of Lyra’s coaching methods; her voice filled with genuine belief.

Just who is this Lyra Rivera?

“So, your dear Aunt is this great, but I never heard of her.” He smirked. The woman must be some peasant coach at a middle-class coaching center.

He sees no way she can help his situation.

Jessica gravely wanted to punch the man in front of her, despite all he did by himself, they were still trying to find a solution as he demanded, yet he was there demeaning other people.

Well, her Aunt is a hundred times better than him. Jessica badly desired to scream her thoughts at the man but held it together. Despite his Stoic personality, the company has been of great to her life.

Thorne Industries has thousands of employees it's feeding, but the netizens are only angry about the few hundreds he disbands. Now, she is also angry, they are taking it too far with the help of those Feng Internationals, of course.

It’s not easy to run such a big Empire with people out there ready to get you. All they want is to see you fall while they rise. “Mr. Thorne, Lyra Rivera will not disappoint you.” Assistant Jess assuredly muttered.

As she spoke, Wyatt listened, a part of him skeptical but another part strangely intrigued. Could this be the solution he desperately needed? The answer remained unclear, but for the first time since the press conference, a glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes.

“Boss, if Miss Lyra is this good…” The PR manager stopped midway after receiving a deadly glare from his boss. The poor man realizes his master was tired of hearing of how good the woman is.

But the truth is to be told. The manager sighed; you never know with Wyatt Thorne.

This time around, the manager made sure not to mention the phrase again and continued with his initial sentence, “The Perfect solution Mr. Thorne, a contract marriage with Miss Lyra to soften your image.”

“What the heck?!”