My boss and fiancee

$250,000 a year

—Currently, you’re earning $250,000 a year. For many, that’s a fortune, but for us, it’s pocket change. So, I’ll make you a deal —Isabella said with a smile as sharp as a knife—. If you’re the top performer in sales for our department, you’ll earn that as a bonus, on top of your monthly salary.

—Not all of us are in sales —Clara protested, crossing her arms.

—You’re right —Isabella acknowledged, her composure unshaken—. Whoever generates the most profit, saves us money, or secures a lucrative contract will have a shot at the bonus. But that’s not all —she added, sliding a black card across the table with a theatrical flourish—. You’ll also get access to this.

The room fell into an expectant silence.

—What can we buy with it? —Chris asked, leaning forward, intrigued.

—Whatever you want —Isabella replied, her smile promising the world—. A private jet to Italy for a fashion show, dinner at the most exclusive restaurant, ten Birkin bags, Brioni suits, a Lamborghini for a month… No limits. As long as you come out on top.

She paused, letting the words sink in.

—And I’ll throw in an extra $100,000 if you beat James.

—A hundred grand is chump change —Chris shot back, raising an eyebrow.

—A 250,000bonus,ablackcard,andanextra

250,000bonus,ablackcard,andanextra100,000 for every million you outperform James —Isabella declared, a glint of amusement in her eyes—. That should be enough.

—What’s the catch? —David asked, his tone wary. He knew nothing with Isabella was ever that simple.

She placed a contract on the table, handed to her by an assistant.

—This is a confidentiality agreement. Given your closeness to James, I have to take precautions. It states that anyone who gives him a name, account number, or any information that gives him an advantage will owe $300 million, forfeit their salary for the remainder of the contract, receive no recommendation, and be barred from working for the company or its allies for at least ten years.

The silence that followed was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

—That’s unfair —someone muttered.

—Who would sign something like that? —another protested.

Isabella shrugged, her smile cold.

—What’s the problem? If you’re not planning to betray me, you’ve already heard what Grandpa thinks about disloyalty. If you want to work with me and get rich, this shouldn’t be an issue.

They all signed, albeit reluctantly, understanding that refusal meant “voluntary resignation.”

—Now that everything’s clear —Isabella said, handing out folders of information—, we’re buying Engi Robotics, a company valued at a billion dollars. The founder is retiring and transferring control to his granddaughter. We need their production chain for our new division.

—Why isn’t he passing it to his son? —David asked, curious.

—They consider him incompetent —Isabella explained—. Every time he’s taken the reins, they’ve lost hundreds of millions.

—I know her —Chris chimed in, pulling out his phone to show a photo with the granddaughter—. She’s friends with James. Loves clubs and bars. I bet I can negotiate a deal with her. If she becomes CEO, she’ll sign the papers.

Isabella nodded, impressed by Chris’ quick thinking.

—I can draft the terms —Clara offered.

—Actually —Isabella cut in—, I want you to review all the business permits, investigate the layoffs over the last ten years, and find out if there’s any negligence that could lead to a class-action lawsuit.

—That’s a lot of work —Clara protested, indignant.

—You’re top of your class. I’m sure you’ll have it done by the end of the week —Isabella said with a calm that made Clara pale.

—By the end of the week? And you expect me to do it alone?

—David will help you —Isabella replied without blinking—. Besides, he’ll need to track down their offshore accounts.

—You think they have them? —David asked, feigning innocence.

Isabella stared him down.

—Not only do they have them, they’re funneling money and using shell companies to inflate numbers. It’s standard for companies this size. If they’re not doing it, someone else is. But we need to know.

Once she finished assigning tasks, Isabella left the office to visit the company she planned to buy. She had arranged a meeting with the founder, a portly, gray-haired man who greeted her with a condescending smile.

—It’s good to see you. I haven’t seen you since that dinner at your grandfather’s club.

—Yes, my graduation dinner —Isabella recalled with false modesty—. Grandpa was jealous because you threw your granddaughter’s party first.

They both laughed, but the tension was palpable.

—What brings you here? —the man asked, offering her a coffee, which she declined.

—I’m interested in opening a new robotics division for Grandpa, and I heard you’re selling your company —she whispered with an innocent tone—. They say you’re asking for $600 million.

The man frowned.

—It’s true I’m selling, but my company is worth more. I’ve heard offers of $800 million.

—$800 million is too low —Isabella interrupted—. I’ve had it appraised. It’s worth a billion, and that’s what I’m offering.

The man looked surprised and delighted.

—That’s a lot of money. Your grandfather would never allow it.

—Grandpa doesn’t have to approve my transactions. I have my own money —she said, subtly flashing her black card—. I’ve been investing in the stock market since I was ten. I could start my own company, but I want to make the old man happy and, between us, beat James. He’s such a show-off.

—You can give me that amount?

—Is the sky blue? —Isabella replied with a smile.

—If that’s the case, I’ll sign with you.

—What about the other offers? I know several companies are interested.

—I’m a man of my word. If you give me a billion, I won’t listen to anyone else.

—My lawyers will have the contract ready by the end of the week.

—Very well. Then let’s toast —the man said, opening an expensive bottle—. But there’s one more thing. The union could be a problem. A donation might smooth things over.

—How much are we talking? —Isabella asked, knowing it was a bribe.

—Five hundred million. There are three very greedy individuals, but the employees don’t know. They think they’re saints.

Isabella pretended to hesitate.

—I’ll do it, because I want this acquisition to be a success. But those union guys seem tough.

—Oh, yes. I was planning to replace them with machinery. The industry has advanced so much we hardly need humans anymore —the man confessed, pouring her a drink—. Or outsource through other companies. Pension plans are unnecessary.

Isabella smiled, her hand brushing against her phone in her pocket. The conversation was being recorded. She knew the man was mocking her, thinking he’d never sell to a “little girl.” But the recording would be enough to spark a strike and ruin his plans.