The Ceo's secret attraction

Rain hammered against the towering glass windows of the Sebastian International headquarters, turning the city outside into a blur of grey.Inside the top-floor boardroom, however, the atmosphere was even colder.No one spoke. A long mahogany table stretched across the room, surrounded by the company's most powerful directors. Yet every man and woman sitting around it looked unusually tense. At the head of the table sat Julian Sebastian.Thirty years old.Six feet seven inches tall.Impossibly handsome, with striking grey hair, sharp features, and cold eyes that seemed capable of seeing through anyone who dared to lie to him. He calmly flipped through the documents in front of him.Then he closed the file.The sound was small.But everyone flinched. “Three months,” Julian said quietly. “You had three months to close this deal.” The director responsible for the project swallowed hard.“Mr. Sebastian, we encountered some unexpected—” "I didn't ask for an explanation.”The man's mouth immediately closed. Julian leaned back in his chair, his expression completely unreadable.“I gave you a target. You failed to meet it. And now you're standing here telling me about unexpected circumstances?” “No, sir.”Julian's grey eyes moved slowly across the room. “If this deal isn't finalized before the end of today, I'll replace the entire team responsible for it.”Silence. Someone nervously adjusted his tie.Julian noticed.He noticed everything.“You're all afraid of losing your positions,” he said. “Good.”His voice remained calm.“Fear keeps incompetent people awake.” No one dared to respond.Dominic Maxwell, Julian's closest friend and the company's senior lawyer, sat quietly near the end of the table, he had witnessed Julian destroy careers with nothing more than a signature.Julian pushed a folder across the table. “However, there's no need to worry about the deal anymore.”The directors looked at one another.Julian continued, “I closed it myself this morning.” Shock crossed their faces.“You... closed it?” one director asked. Julian raised an eyebrow.“Is that difficult to understand?” “No, sir.” “Then stop looking surprised.” He stood, the room immediately became quieter. “I'll be leaving for Westbrook this afternoon.” Dominic looked up. “You're going personally?” “Yes.” “The Westbrook branch has already prepared for your inspection.” “Good.”Julian buttoned his black suit jacket. “I want the branch's financial records, employee reports, and pending contracts on my desk before I arrive.”Dominic nodded. “And if I find anything that doesn't meet my standards?”Julian paused at the door.“Then someone will be looking for a new job.”He walked out.Only after the door closed did the directors finally breathe. The rain had stopped by the time Julian Sebastian's car entered Westbrook. The city glittered beneath the evening sky, its streets alive with expensive cars, bright signs, and people rushing through the night. Julian sat silently in the back seat, his grey eyes fixed on the passing buildings, he had been away from Westbrook for years. Nothing seemed to have changed.Or perhaps he had changed too much to notice. His private penthouse stood at the top of one of the city's most luxurious buildings, from the floor-to-ceiling windows, the entire city stretched beneath him. Julian stepped inside, loosened his tie, and placed his phone on the table.Dominic followed behind him. “You're not staying here all night,” Dominic said.Julian glanced at him. “I have work. “You always have work.” “Exactly.” Dominic sighed. “There's a party tonight.” “No.” “You haven't even heard who is hosting it.” “I don't need to.” “Congressman Richard Hayes.”Julian paused. Dominic smiled. “You were invited personally. Several important businessmen and government officials will be there. It would be good for the company.” Julian stared at him. “I don't attend parties.” “You will tonight.” “Dominic.” “Julian.”The two men stared at each other.After several seconds, Julian sighed. “One hour.” Dominic smiled triumphantly. “Two.” “One.” “Fine. One.” **** As they prepared to leave, Dominic suddenly remembered something.“Do you remember the last time you came to Westbrook?” Julian frowned slightly. “Unfortunately.” Dominic laughed “Your parents had invited you here.” Julian shook his head.“They also arranged that ridiculous blind date.” A faint smile appeared on Dominic's face“The minister's daughter.” “I remember.” “You agreed to meet her.” “I was twenty-five. I didn't know what they were planning.” “You knew it was a blind date.” “I agreed to dinner. Not marriage.”Dominic laughed. They both remembered the evening clearly. Julian had arrived at one of Westbrook's most expensive French restaurants wearing a perfectly tailored black suit, the minister's daughter had arrived excited and nervous, She had spent nearly an hour trying to impress him. Julian had barely spoken.When she asked him what he liked to do in his free time, he had answered,“Work.” When she asked what kind of woman he liked, he had replied,“I don't.” The woman had stared at him in disbelief, Julian had continued eating as though nothing had happened. Eventually, tears filled her eyes.“You're impossible.” She stood up and left the restaurant. Julian hadn't followed her, Dominic had nearly choked on his drink. “You could have been nicer.” “She asked questions.” “You made her cry.” “She wasn't the first.” Dominic laughed as they walked toward the elevator, “You really haven't changed.” Julian's expression returned to its usual coldness.“Neither have you.” They left the penthouse later that night. **** Across Westbrook, Victoria Morgan had just finished tucking her younger sister into bed. “Goodnight, Grace.” Grace smiled sleepily. “Goodnight, Victoria.” Victoria pulled the blanket over her sister and kissed her forehead before quietly leaving the room. In the living room, Hannah Miller was already waiting with two cups of tea. “You took forever.” “She refused to sleep.”Hannah laughed. “She has you wrapped around her little finger.” Victoria smiled. “She is my sister.” “You sound like her mother.” Victoria's smile faded slightly. For a moment, neither spoke, They both remembered the countryside, the small house, the dusty roads, the little jobs Victoria used to take just to put food on the table.And the day they had both wondered whether Victoria's father would ever come back. “I still remember how you used to work every little job you could find,” Hannah said softly. Victoria smiled faintly, “I didn't have much choice.” “You had hope.” Victoria looked at her, “You were the one who kept telling me that.” “Because it's true.” Hannah reached for her hand. “Your father is still out there somewhere. One day, you'll find him.” Victoria looked down “I hope you're right.” Her phone suddenly vibrated.Hannah picked hers up. “Look.” A message from the company group chat had arrived. URGENT NOTICE: CEO JULIAN SEBASTIAN WILL ARRIVE AT THE WESTBROOK BRANCH TOMORROW. ALL STAFF ARE EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND PRESENT THEIR BEST BEHAVIOUR. Victoria read the message twice.“Is he really that scary?” Hannah immediately laughed.“Scary? Victoria, you don't understand.”She lowered her voice dramatically.“I've seen him once.” “When?” “Several months ago. He came for a brief inspection.” “And?” “I couldn't even look him directly in the eyes.” Victoria raised an eyebrow “Seriously?” “He's extremely strict. He doesn't tolerate mistakes, and he doesn't give second chances.” Victoria leaned back “Have you actually spoken to him?” “Absolutely not.” Hannah shivered dramatically. “And I plan to keep it that way.”Victoria laughed. Their conversation soon shifted from the CEO to their personal lives. Hannah rested her chin on her hand.“I wonder what kind of man I'll marry.” Victoria smiled “You haven't even found one.” “I know. But I have standards.” “Such as?” “Tall. Handsome. Rich would be nice.” Victoria laughed “And?” “Someone romantic. Someone who will surprise me with flowers and take me on expensive dates.” Victoria listened quietly, She couldn't help thinking about Michael, their secret relationship had started months ago, and Hannah still knew nothing about it.Victoria wasn't ready to tell her.Not yet. Hannah suddenly looked at her, “What about you?” Victoria blinked, “What about me?” “Don't pretend. What kind of man do you want?” Victoria hesitated, “I... don't know.” Hannah narrowed her eyes, “You're hiding something.” “I'm tired.” Victoria quickly stood up. “Let's talk about something else.” Hannah laughed, “You're suspicious.” “Goodnight, Hannah.” “Coward!” Victoria disappeared into her room, smiling, she closed the door behind her.Her phone vibrated, a message from Michael appeared. Michael: Goodnight, Victoria. Tomorrow is going to be a big day. Don't be nervous. Victoria smiled, Victoria: Goodnight, Michael. She placed the phone against her chest, she had no idea that tomorrow would be more than just another day at work. +++++ “Some people enter our lives by chance. Others arrive because destiny has been waiting for the perfect moment to ruin everything we thought we knew about love.”