The CEO's House Manager

The Black Empire had one rule, power belonged to the strongest. For decades, the Black family had built an empire so enormous that its influence reached far beyond the walls of its corporate headquarters. Banks, hotels, shipping companies, technology firms, construction projects, and private security businesses all carried the Black name. But wealth was not the only thing the family was known for, they were feared. Behind the polished suits, expensive cars, and extravagant family gatherings was a dynasty where ambition could turn relatives into enemies, and there was no better example of that than Hillary Black. At thirty years old, Hillary was the youngest CEO in the entire history of Black Empire Group. He was also the rightful heir and that single fact had made him the most powerful and most hated man in his family and in the business world. Sitting across the table staring at the documents in his hands, his secretary knocked on his door and opened it to say that President Black, the board meeting, was about to begin. Hillary did not look up from the document in his hands and said to give him five minutes. His assistant, Ethan Brooks, stood quietly near the office door. Five minutes was how Hillary handled almost everything. He would use five minutes to review a billion-dollar contract, decide whether to approve an acquisition, or destroy a competitor's proposal. Nothing seemed to disturb his calm composure. Ethan had worked beside him for eight years and had learned that Hillary's silence was often more intimidating than anger. He watched as Hillary signed the final page and closed the file and said done. Ethan collected it and said the board was waiting, and Hillary replied to let them wait. Ethan almost smiled because only Hillary Black could make an entire board of directors wait, without worrying about the consequences. The two men walked toward the conference room and the moment the doors opened, every conversation stopped. Hillary entered without saying a word. Executives immediately straightened their seats. He walked to the chair at the head of the table and sat down. That chair had belonged to his grandfather, then his father, and eventually, it would belong to Hillary for as long as he could hold onto it. He said, let us begin. The meeting moved quickly through financial reports, international investments, new acquisitions, and quarterly profits. Everything was going according to plan until Damien Black spoke and said that he had a concern. Hillary lifted his eyes. Damien sat across from him. He was three years older than Hillary and had spent most of his life believing that the position of heir should have belonged to him. He smiled politely, but Hillary knew that smile hid years of resentment. Hillary said to go ahead. Damien leaned forward and said the company is growing rapidly, but too much authority is concentrated in one person's hands. A few directors exchanged glances. Hillary remained expressionless and asked what he was suggesting. Damien said shared executive authority. His eyes never left Hillary as he said the Black Empire belongs to the entire family and he believed members of the family should have a greater role in its leadership. Hillary said he already had a role. Damien said he wanted a larger one. Hillary asked why he believed he deserved it. Damien smiled and said because he was a Black. A few people shifted uncomfortably. Hillary's expression did not change as he said that a surname makes a person a member of the family, but it does not make them capable of running the empire. The room went silent. Damien's jaw tightened and he said that Hillary had always believed he was better than everyone else. Hillary calmly picked up the next document and said no, that he simply refused to confuse entitlement with ability. The meeting continued, but the atmosphere had changed. Everyone could feel it. The rivalry between the two men was no longer a secret. When the meeting finally ended, the directors filed out. Damien remained behind. Hillary gathered his documents and asked if there was something else. Damien stood and said he would not keep that chair forever. Hillary looked at him and said then he should stop talking about taking it and prove he was capable of earning it. Damien's eyes darkened. He walked away without another word. Ethan waited until the doors closed and said that went well. Hillary glanced at him and asked if it did. Ethan said considering he practically insulted Damien in front of the entire board. Hillary replied that Damien insulted himself. Ethan sighed and said that Damien was dangerous. Hillary said that so were most people who wanted something they had not earned. Hillary walked toward the window. The city stretched beneath him. Thousands of people moved through the streets, unaware of the battles being fought behind the walls of the Black Empire. Ethan's expression became serious as he said there was another incident that morning. Hillary turned and asked what kind. Ethan said a vehicle attempted to force one of their security cars off the road. Hillary asked about casualties and Ethan said none. Hillary asked about identification and Ethan said no. It was not the first incident. There had been threats before, suspicious accidents, anonymous warnings, people following his movements. Someone had even tried to breach his private security network. Every time, Hillary survived. But survival did not mean the danger had disappeared. It only meant his enemies had not succeeded yet. Ethan lowered his voice and suggested they should increase his personal security. Hillary said they already had enough. Ethan reminded him that was what he said before the hotel incident, and the helicopter incident, and the charity gala. Hillary finally looked at him and said Ethan. Ethan replied yes. Hillary said he was still here. Ethan stared at him for a moment and said that was exactly what worried him. Hillary almost smiled. Before he could respond, his phone rang. He answered with Black. His expression slowly changed as he listened. He asked if it was for tomorrow, paused, and said to send him the report. He ended the call. Ethan waited and asked what happened. Hillary picked up a file from his desk and said it was about the Riverside Development Project. Ethan asked if it was the abandoned one and Hillary said yes. Ethan asked why they were calling about it now. Hillary opened the file and said the project had been inactive for five years. Ethan asked why the latest financial report showed continued expenses. Hillary's eyes narrowed and he said exactly. Ethan stepped closer and asked if it could be an accounting error. Hillary said possibly, but he did not think so. He closed the file and said someone was moving money through the project. Ethan's expression changed and he asked if he should send an investigation team. Hillary said no and looked toward the window as he said he was going himself. Ethan immediately shook his head and said absolutely not. Hillary raised an eyebrow and said the project was in a remote town, the road was isolated, and they had already had another security incident that day. Ethan said which was why he was going. Hillary said he wanted to see the project records himself. Ethan knew that tone. The decision had already been made. He asked when. Hillary said tomorrow morning. Ethan sighed and said then at least take additional security. Hillary nodded and told him to arrange it. Ethan left. Hillary remained alone in his office. He looked down at the Riverside file again. He could not explain why, but something about the project bothered him. Perhaps it was the missing money. Perhaps it was the strange timing. Or perhaps it was simply instinct. Whatever the reason, he had no idea that his decision to visit Riverside would change his life forever. Across the city, Damien Black stood in the darkness of his private study. His phone rested in his hand. He had just received a message that said Hillary is going to Riverside tomorrow. Damien stared at the words. A slow smile appeared on his face. For years, he had waited for an opportunity. Now, Hillary was walking toward one himself. Damien typed a short reply that said then we finally have our chance. He placed the phone on the table. Tomorrow, the game would begin. And Hillary Black had no idea that he had just stepped onto the board.