pte

briefly across his features, "Mia, let's not make t

've proven yourself time and again. This is

ou've seen Jeremiah Sterling's announcement, haven't

ogether as she thought back becau

l's longest-standing rival had publicly declared that his y

up his company's reputation while sending a clear messa

ealization crept over her. Samuel continued, hi

tting forward a male figure who will be perceived as strong,

they look at these things and they judge, they weigh who they belie

as colder and sharper than anything she'd anticipated, "You don't think I can do that," she said quietly

It's not about my belief, Mia, it's about perception becau

someone he can outmaneuver, and I

explained some of this to me," Ethan said, his words cautious, careful not to provoke, "he bel

my work, my years of dedication, everything I've sacrificed comes down

ing for the first time, "this is about protecting everyth

r, so I need someone at the helm who projects

red sharply toward Ethan, her anger

the stakes and he's willing to learn, he's eager to fight fo

ef, "And what about me, the woman who has spent her entire life preparing for this

t commanding, "No, I expect you to help him because

ndustries thriving, you know them inside out, and you need to t

sked, her voice laced with disbelief, "you're sidelining me, dismissing everything I've worke

aid firmly, "and he's ready to step up, so you will

o looked at her with an awkwa

o had been thrust into her world and handed everything she'd fought for on

d, her voice clipped, refusing to show him how deeply she was wounded because her father wasn'

her intent clear because she would not stay

pped her in her tracks, and he remained seated,

say, Father," she replied, her voice firm but calm, a deliberate choice to mask the fury ro

at Mia, "thanks for coming, and maybe you could leave Mia and me

r if you need me," and he gave Mia a quick, almost sorry look before

ice but refused to sit because she just wante

portant to this company. What you know, what you've done, we really need that,"

him, "An idea, after basically telling me I'm

but this doesn't have to be the end of your chances here because actually it could be the start of s

uture, and I think I've found a way that helps everyone and most importantly keeps the compan