THE CEO’S HIDDEN SECRET

Chapter 4

ARIA’S POV

The room is filled with other new employees, most of whom seem to be in a much better mood than I am. Some are chatting, while others are going through the documents placed on the table.

I find an empty seat near the back and sit down.

My first day was supposed to be simple. I would complete the necessary paperwork, meet the people in my department, familiarise myself with the company’s systems, and begin learning how things work around here.

Instead, the CEO has decided to supervise me personally.

I cannot decide whether I should be worried or offended.

Perhaps both.

The last thing I need is someone watching my every move. I have a reason for being here, and although I intend to do my job properly, I also need the freedom to investigate certain things without attracting unnecessary attention.

I cannot exactly ask the CEO for permission to examine records connected to the fire that killed my parents.

Not when I don’t even know what he knows about it.

I reach into my bag and take out my notebook, hoping to organise my thoughts before the orientation begins.

There are several things I need to find out.

First, I need to understand how the company is structured and which departments have access to archived projects. Second, I need to learn what happened to the parts of West Tech that were acquired, transferred, or absorbed into other companies after the fire.

And finally, I need to find out whether Project Silver is still here.

The thought makes my fingers drift towards the pendant beneath my blouse.

I touch it briefly.

My parents gave it to me long before I understood how important it would become. Back then, it was simply a gift, something I wore because it reminded me of them.

Now, it is one of the few things I have left that connects me to the work my father spent years developing.

I still remember how excited he was whenever Project Silver reached a new milestone. He believed it could change the way companies protected their systems and exposed financial misconduct. He wanted it to be secure, reliable, and impossible for the wrong people to exploit.

He had no idea that the people who wanted it would eventually destroy everything he had built.

Or perhaps he did. Perhaps that was why he had taken so many precautions.

I draw my hand away from the pendant when someone at the front of the room announces that the orientation is about to begin.

For now, I have to concentrate on the job.

I cannot afford to let memories distract me, no matter how much I wish I could ask my parents what really happened that night.

The door opens a few minutes later, and the room gradually falls silent.

Jackson Tierney walks in.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

He takes his place at the front of the room and looks around at the assembled employees.

“Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Tierney Dynamics. I’m Jackson Tierney, the company’s CEO.”

Several people sit up straighter.

I can understand why. He carries himself with the kind of confidence that makes people pay attention, and he speaks without needing to raise his voice.

Unfortunately, knowing that does nothing to improve my opinion of him.

“My father built this company on the belief that technology should solve problems, not create them,” he continues. “That principle remains important to us. We work with sensitive systems and confidential information, and our clients trust us to protect both. That trust is something we cannot afford to take lightly.”

He explains the company’s expectations, security policies, and professional standards. Every employee is responsible for understanding the systems they work with, following the proper procedures, and reporting anything that appears unusual.

I listen carefully, taking notes where necessary.

Much of what he says is standard practice for a technology company, but I pay particular attention when he discusses access permissions and internal investigations.

“Any weaknesses discovered within our systems must be reported through the appropriate channels,” he says. “No employee is authorised to investigate a potential security breach independently. We have procedures for a reason, and I expect everyone to follow them.”

My pen pauses above the page.

I know he is addressing the entire room, but I cannot help wondering whether those words will become a problem for me later.

If I discover something suspicious in the company’s records, I will need to be careful about how I handle it. I cannot simply begin searching through restricted files and hope no one notices.

That would be foolish, especially now that the CEO has decided to keep an eye on me.

I return my attention to the front.

Jackson introduces the department heads and explains how the new employees will be assigned to their respective teams. He also makes it clear that no one is guaranteed a permanent place simply because they have been hired.

“Your qualifications got you through the recruitment process,” he says. “What you do from this point onward will determine how far you go here.”

I appreciate that.

I have never expected anyone to hand me success. Whatever I achieve, I want it to be because I have worked for it.

The orientation continues, and I begin to relax a little. Perhaps the man who took my apple juice is only insufferable in private.

Then his eyes find mine.

“Miss West.”

My pen stops moving.

“Yes, sir?”

“I hope you’re paying attention.”

A few people turn to look at me.

I give him a polite smile. “I am, sir.”

“Good. I would hate for you to miss anything important.”

There is no mistaking the amusement in his voice.

I look back down at my notebook before my expression gives me away.

This man is doing it deliberately.

I don’t know what he hopes to achieve by provoking me, but I refuse to make a scene in front of my new colleagues. I have spent too long trying to get this opportunity, and I will not allow a personal disagreement to ruin it.

When the orientation finally ends, everyone begins gathering their belongings. I close my notebook and place it inside my bag, already looking forward to meeting the systems team and getting started with actual work.

“Miss West, stay behind, please.”

Of course.

I look up to find Jackson closing the folder in his hands.

A few employees glance at me as they leave. One woman gives me a curious look, but I pretend not to notice.

By the time the room empties, I am beginning to wonder whether I should have applied somewhere else.

Then I remember why I came here.

I did not return to Alaska for a comfortable job or a peaceful first day. I came because someone sent me a message that suggested they knew the truth about my parents’ deaths.

If the answers are here, I will find them.

Even if Jackson Tierney makes me regret every working day of my life.

I collect my documents and follow him back to his office.

Jackson is standing beside his desk when I enter. He gestures towards the chair opposite him, and this time, I sit.

“Let’s talk about your position,” he says.

“Certainly.”

“I’ve reviewed your assessment results. Your technical knowledge is impressive, and your performance during recruitment was strong.”

“Thank you.”

“Which is why I want to understand something. Why apply for a junior position when your results suggest you could handle more responsibility?”

I pause.

I had prepared answers for questions about my qualifications, my experience, and my career goals. I had not expected the CEO to question my decision to accept the very job his company offered me.

“I believe it’s a good place to start,” I reply. “I would rather understand the company’s systems and procedures properly before taking on responsibilities I’m not yet familiar with.”

He studies me.

“A sensible answer.”

“Thank you.”

“I try to be sensible.”

“Do you?”

I look at him.

He looks back.

I decide not to respond.

He opens my file again, glances at a page, and closes it.

“Your reporting arrangement has been changed. You’ll work directly under me, and I’ll review your progress personally.”

“You mentioned that earlier.”

“And you seemed unhappy about it.”

“I was surprised. There’s a difference.”

“Then let me make sure you understand. I expect regular reports, and I expect you to follow instructions. If I assign you a task, I expect it to be completed properly and on time.”

“That is reasonable.”

“Good. Then we shouldn’t have a problem.”

I almost believe him.

Then he adds, “I also expect you to remember that I am the CEO of this company. I don’t appreciate being challenged unnecessarily.”

There it is.

I look at him for a moment, trying to decide whether to let the comment pass.

Perhaps I should. I have already spent enough time arguing with him, and I have more important things to worry about.

But there is something about the way he says it, as though he expects my agreement simply because he has announced a rule, that makes it difficult to remain silent.

“I understand your position, sir,” I say carefully. “But I hope you understand that doing my job properly may sometimes require me to ask questions or point out a problem.”

His expression changes.

“And you believe I have a problem with that?”

“I haven’t known you long enough to make that judgment.”

“Yet you’ve already formed quite an opinion of me.”

I almost smile.

“You haven’t exactly made it difficult.”

For a moment, he says nothing.

Then he stands.

I rise as well, unsure what he intends to do.

He looks at me with an expression I cannot quite read, and I suddenly realise that this conversation has become less about my job and more about which one of us is willing to back down first.

Neither of us, apparently.

“You have no idea who you’re talking to.”

I fold my arms, staring straight into his arrogant eyes. “Is that supposed to scare me?”

His jaw tightens. “You should be careful. People who cross me usually regret it.”

“Then I hope you enjoy being my first disappointment.”

He leans closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You think you’re untouchable?”

“No.” I smile sweetly. “I just don’t scare easily.”

“Let’s see how brave you are when you discover who I am.”

For a few seconds, neither of us speaks.

I can feel my heartbeat quicken, but I refuse to let him see it. Whatever he thinks of me, I will not give him the satisfaction of believing that his threats have frightened me into submission.

I turn towards the door, determined to put as much distance as possible between us before I say something I cannot take back.

My first day at Tierney Dynamics has been exhausting, and I have barely begun the work I came here to do.

Jackson Tierney may be the CEO, but he does not get to decide why I am here or what I am willing to sacrifice to find the truth.

My parents deserve justice.

And I intend to get it.

No matter how difficult he makes things.