ALESSIO’S POV
The city looked calm from the top floor of the building, lights stretching into the distance like nothing had changed, like my world was not shifting under my feet. I stood by the window with my hands in my pockets, watching traffic crawl below, knowing that by morning everything would be different.
The board had made their move faster than I expected. Investors were nervous. The press had picked up the rumors about my relationship with my assistant. They called it inappropriate. They called it reckless. They said I was distracted. None of them knew the truth. None of them understood that she was the only reason I was still standing steady.
External pressure was rising from every side. My uncle had called twice, pretending concern but really measuring weakness. Rival comp
