One day ago.

I adjusted my Italian silk tie and checked my Rolex watch for the fourth time in ten minutes, sitting tight in anticipation of what was about to transpire.

For thirty-two years, I had been trained for this particular day – the day I would officially inherit Thompson Enterprises.

Richard Thompson, my great uncle, mentor, and the closest thing I had to a father, was gone, but his legacy was going to live through me.

"The reading will begin momentarily," Charles Willis said as he walked into the room, "I trust everyone is present,"

I looked around the conference table. Everyone was indeed present – from the board members and key executives down to the long-time housekeeper, Mrs. Chen, who had been in the house for as long as I could remember. There were also a few relatives there to pick up the scraps that would undoubtedly fall to them.

But all eyes were on me, waiting for the 'coronation' that was thirty years in the making.

"Let's get on with it," I said, "I have a company to run,"

Willis cleared his throat and opened the folder that contained Richard's final will and testament.

"As you know, we're all gathered here to execute the last will of Richard Thompson..."

I zoned out, wondering how long it would take before we got to the good part. I was already mentally planning the changes I would implement in my first weeks as CEO.

I was going to take Thompson Enterprises to heights Richard never imagined.

"The estate includes all assets, properties, investments, business holdings," Willis said, "After careful consideration and multiple revisions over the past year, Mr. Thompson made his final decision regarding succession,"

Multiple revisions? Richard had never mentioned anything to me about changing his will. Perhaps, it was something of no consequence.

"To my great nephew, Alexander Thompson, I leave my personal effects, including my watch collection, vintage wines, and a sum of five million dollars," Willis read.

My blood turned to ice.

Personal effects? Watch collection? This was the inheritance of a favourite relative and not a CEO.

Murmurs ran through the rooms and I felt every eye turn to me. But I remained calm.

"Continue," I said.

Willis nodded, looking at me with unsolicited pity, "The remaining of my estate, including all shares of Thompson Enterprises and the position of Chief Executive Officer, I bequeath to Miss Lily Rose of Miami, Florida."

The silence that followed was deafening. I felt as though I had been punched in the chest. I sat up straighter, unable to process what I had just heard.

Was this some big joke?

"I'm sorry," I said, "Could you repeat that?"

With an irritating nod, Willis read through it again, keeping his tone carefully natural.

"Who the hell is Lily Rose?" I asked as several board members shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

"I'm afraid I do not have extensive information about Miss Rose. Mr. Thompson was quite discreet about his reasoning,"

I shot to my feet, the foot of my chair scraping violently against the floor, "Discreet. Discreet! He handed a billion-dollar company to some random woman. And you call that discreet?"

"Alexander," Mrs. Chen spoke up, "There must be some sort of explanation –"

"Explanation?" I asked, eyes wide, "What possible explanation could there be for giving away my birthright to a total stranger?"

I turned back to Willis, "I want answers, William, and I want them now."

"I understand your shock, Alexander, but –"

"Don't," My voice dropped to a deadly whisper, "Don't you dare tell me you understand. I've spent my whole life preparing for this. And here you are telling me he gave it to nobody?"

Willis reached out and opened another folder, "Mr. Thompson did leave a letter explaining his decision but I doubt it would give you the closure you're looking for,"

"Read it."

"Alexander, perhaps in private –"

"Read it now!"

Willis sighed and pulled out a handwritten paper, "To those who may question my decision regarding Lily Rose, I offer this explanation. Leadership is not inherited by blood but earned through character. And although Alexander is intelligent and has the drive to succeed in business, he also lacks the heart to lead with necessary compassion,"

Humiliation burned through me as Willis spelled out each word.

"Miss Lily faced adversity that would break most people but she emerged with her humanity intact. She creates rather than destroys and she sees potential where others see problems. I have no doubt that she is the future this company needs,"

He went on to read more but I stopped listening. Each word felt like a blow, one that cut too deep.

"That's enough," I finally said.

Willis stopped reading and folded the letter, "Alexander, I understand this is difficult..."

"Difficult?" I laughed, but it lacked humor: "Difficult is an understatement for this betrayal."

I paced the conference room, "I want to know about this Lily Rose. Who is she? What is her background? How does she know my great uncle?"

"Well, I'm afraid I can only share limited information but I can tell you she's currently employed in an art supply store..."

"Interesting. He gave his billion-dollar empire to someone who works retail," I said in utter disbelief.

One of the board members spoke up, "Alexander, perhaps we should discuss the legal options. I'm certain there are grounds to contest –"

"No," I cut in, surprising everyone and myself too, "If Richard wanted to play games, then fine, we'll play games. But what I'm not going to do is contest the will like some desperate relative fighting for scraps,"

I straightened my jacket and walked back to my chair, "I want every single detail about this Lily Rose. Where she works, how she came to know Richard, and what she eats for breakfast. I want her entire life story on my desk by tomorrow morning,"

"Alexander, what are you planning?" Willis asked.

"I'm going to find out what's so special that my great uncle thought was worth destroying this family for. And then," I paused, my eyes filled with cold determination, "I'm going to take back what's mine,"

With that, I picked up my coat and briefcase and moved towards the door with quick steps.

Willis' voice reached me, "Where are you going?"

I paused at the door with my hand already on the handle, "To meet the woman who stole my life. Don't worry, Willis. I'll be the perfect gentleman. After all, I wouldn't want to disappoint Uncle Richard's memory by showing my true colours,"

With that, I left her room and took the elevator ride down, stepping into the sunlight with one thought burning in my mind.

Let's see how special you really are, Lily Rose.

I stood at the base of the Thompson Enterprises tower, craning my neck to take in the sixty-storey building.

My hands trembled as I clutched the leather portfolio that Willis had given me. It was filled with documents I barely understood, despite studying them, and keys to offices I'd never seen.

The blazer I had borrowed from Sophia felt foreign on my shoulder, and my feet ached from standing in these pointy heels for so long.

You can do this, I whispered to myself, It's just a building. Just a job. They're just people...

Oh God.

The lobby was exquisite with high ceilings and a waterfall that probably cost more than okay people's houses.

Employees moved around in expensive suits, having conversations in low tones.

"Miss Lily Rose?" A woman approached me with a warm but professional smile, "I'm Janet Morrison. Mr Thompson's – I mean, your executive assistant. Welcome to Thompson Enterprises,"

It all felt surreal. I have an executive assistant now.

"Thank you," I breathed as I shook Janet's perfectly manicured hands, "I have to admit, I'm a little overwhelmed,"

"Perfectly understandable. Shall we head up to your office? The meeting begins in twenty minutes,"

As we rode the elevator to the executive floor, Janet explained a few things about the company's structure, key personnel, and upcoming meetings.

And all it did was make me feel even more overwhelmed.

My mind kept racing ahead to all the ways I could fail spectacularly.

Janet opened a set of massive doors, revealing the most beautiful office I had ever seen, "This is your office, Miss Rose,"

I stepped inside and felt my knees go weak. Never, in all the years I had spent on earth, had I witnessed such luxury.

The office was way larger than my apartment with a huge seat in the middle. Behind this huge desk, windows stretched from floor to ceiling offering a view that felt like I was floating above the city.

"The previous Mr. Thompson preferred traditional decor," Janet said, "But if this does not suit your taste, we can redecorate,"

She had to be kidding.

"The boardroom meeting is in the Meridian Conference Room." Janet went on, "All your briefing materials are ready and Mr. Willis will be there to assist you with any legal questions,"

Twenty minutes later, I found myself seated at the head of a conference table, surrounded by the most intimidating people ever. They studied me with mostly hostility.

My heart raced wildly as Willis did the introductions.

After him, a stern-faced man with silver hair spoke up, "Miss Rose, I'm Robert Hartley, Chairman of the board. I think I speak for everyone when I say we're curious about our qualifications for this position,"

My heart raced wildly, and it was difficult to get any words past my lips, but I had to say something.

"I...well, I understand this is...unconventional..."

"Unconventional?" Another woman cut in, leaning forward, "Miss Rose, do you have any experience running a company? Any business education at all?"

I shrugged, hating how intimidated I felt, "I have a degree in fine arts,"

That sounded pathetic in a room full of MBAs and years of corporate experience.

"According to this background check," Another man began, "You work at an art supply store. No management experience, no finance background, no corporate training whatsoever,"

"I may be lacking the traditional qualifications and –"

"And nothing, Miss Rose," The first woman said again, "Thompson Enterprises employs more than fifteen thousand people worldwide. It's a responsibility, not a hobby,"

A bead of sweat ran down the space between my breasts, "Very well then, I understand that. But Mr. Thompson obviously saw something in me–"

"Mr Thompson was clearly not thinking straight in his final months. Perhaps grief clouded his judgement,"

There were murmurs of agreement and I felt myself shrinking in my chair. Just a few minutes in and I felt like dying.

"What my colleagues are simply trying to say is," Hartley said, "that perhaps you would be more comfortable in an advisory role. While we arrange for proper leadership?"

Anger flared hot in my chest. Who did this man think he was, "Proper leadership? You mean someone you approve of,"

Before anyone else could speak, the door swung open with enough force to rattle the glass walls.

Alexander Thompson strode into the room, his presence commanding. He looked even more dashing than I'd remembered. His dark eyes did a full sweep of the room before landing on me. Recognition flashed through them.

"Well, well, so you're the mysterious Lily Rose," He said.

My heart stopped as I took in the gorgeous, infuriating man I had last seen at the Grand Palma hotel.

The same man who's caught me in my most vulnerable moment.

Who'd made me feel things I was still struggling to forget.

Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.

Willis rose quickly, "Alexander, this is a private board meeting –"

"Save it, Willis. I don't give a bloody damn," He said, "I think I have every right to meet the woman who stole my inheritance,"

Stole? Good to know he was still every bit of a jerk.

My voice came out shakier than I hoped, "I did not steal anything. I was legally named..."

"Legally named by a man who lost his mind," He smirked, "Tell me, Miss Rose. How exactly do you convince an elderly man to give you his life's work?"

The accusation hit like a slap.

"I never manipulated anyone. I didn't even know your great uncle existed until five days ago,"

"Mmm. Hard to believe," He circled me like a predator. I was painfully aware of how every board member was watching this confrontation, " A complete stranger suddenly inherits billions. Tell me, what did you do? Seduce him? Promise him something that his family couldn't,"

"That's disgusting," I spat, my cheeks burning, "I never even met Richard Thompson,"

"And yet here you are, playing CEO in a world you know nothing about," He said. "Tell me, princess, do you even know what Thompson Enterprises does?"

The nickname was a confirmation of what I already knew – he recognised me.

"I'm learning,"

He laughed, mockingly, "Learning? You're going to learn how to run a billion-dollar corporation. How charmingly naive,"

"That's enough," Willis cut in but Alexander ignored him, never taking his eyes off me.

"Here's what's going to happen, Miss Rose," His voice dropped to a whisper that was meant for only my ears, "You're going to realise that you're in over your head and you're going to walk away. Because if you don't –" He leaned closer to me, " – I will make your life very, very difficult,"

I stared into the same dark eyes that had looked at me with desire just days ago.

"Are you threatening me, Mr. Thompson?" I asked, tilting my head ever so slightly.

"I'm educating you about reality. Some lessons are harder than others,"

Every instinct screamed at me to back down and just go home and choke on a bucket of ice cream or something, but I lifted my chin and met his stare head-on.

"Then I guess you'd better be prepared to be disappointed." I said, "Because I'm going nowhere,"

My knees nearly gave out when the boardroom doors slammed shut behind me.

I leaned against the wall as I tried to grasp what was going on in my life right now.

Alexander Thompson, the man who had made me forget my own name in that hotel suite, was the same man whose inheritance I'd 'stolen'?

"Miss Rose?" I heard Janet call from behind, "Are you okay? Should I get some water?"

Shaking my head, I pushed myself off the wall.

"I'm fine. I just need a moment,"

"Okay,"

Seconds later, we made our way back to my office.

Well, I'd barely made it. My legs were like jelly as I walked past ten rows of curious faces watching through glass-walled offices.

They'd definitely heard.

Janet closed the door behind us, giving us some privacy from prying eyes.

"That was quite an introduction," Janet said as I settled in my chair, " but don't let Alexander intimidate you. Trust me, his bark is worse than his bite,"

In other circumstances, I would have laughed, but right now, that provided way less comfort than it was intended to.

"Is it? Because that felt like a pretty serious bite to me,"

Janet smiled, "Alexander had been in that company since he learned to walk. Mr. Richard often brought him to the office when he was a child. He sat in board meetings and learnt every aspect of the business. We all assumed he'd inherit,"

I rubbed my temples, feeling the onset of a bad headache. I groaned – the last thing I needed was anything to make this day worse than it already was.

"This is impossible, Janet. I don't know the first thing about running a company. Maybe the board is right. Maybe I should..."

Janet cut in, "Miss Rose, I'll have you know that Mr. Richard was a lot of things, but foolish was not one of them. He had his reasons for choosing you. And Alexander...well, he's angry now but he's also brilliant at what he does. Perhaps –"

A sharp knock on the door interrupted her. A middle-aged man poked his head in.

"Miss Rose? Marcus Chen, VP of Client Relations," said, "I'm afraid we have a bit of a situation that needs your immediate attention,"

Already? I'd barely recovered from the board's interrogation.

"What type of situation?" I asked, dreading his next words.

"Our biggest client," He said as he stepped into the office fully, "Grand Palms Hotels has just sent a notice stating their consideration to terminate the contract. They're concerned for stability what with the...transition in leadership,"

Well, damn. The irony of it all. The same hotel where I'd met Alexander threatening to abandon ship because of me.

"How much is the contract worth?"

"Approximately forty million annually. If we lose them, it'll send a message to the other clients that Thompson Enterprises is in chaos,"

I stood and walked to the windows to think.

Alexander's mocking voice echoed in my head: You're going to learn how to run a billion-dollar corporation? How charmingly naive.

At the same time, I remembered something Mr. Martinez always said, If you're lost on the technical answer, go back to the human element. People respond to honesty.

I turned back to Marcus.

"Schedule a meeting with Grand Palms' CEO. Today, if possible."

Marcus stared at me like I had just said the most incredulous thing, "Today? Miss Rose, perhaps we should arrange a formal presentation and have the board review..."

"No. I just want to have a conversation with the person worried about their investment. Can you do that?"

"I'll try,"

"Don't try. Just do it. Tell them the new CEO wants to discuss their concerns. Use whatever leverage you need to use,"

"That was decisive," Janet said when Marcus left.

"That was terrifying," I slumped on my chair, "Janet, I need you to be honest with me. Can I really do this? Do you really think I wouldn't run Thompson Enterprises to the ground?"

"Miss Rose, I've worked here for fifteen years. I've seen executives come and go, watched board members play politics, observed Alexander grow from an ambitious young man into... well, what you saw today," she stepped closer and leaned on my table. "And you want to know what I think?"

"Desperately," I said,

"I think Mr. Thompson saw something in you that this company has been missing for a long time. Not ruthlessness or corporate strategy, we definitely have plenty of that. But genuine care for people. The kind of leader who sees employees as humans, not numbers on a spreadsheet." She said, "I, for one, need that. I'm tired of these insufferable pricks,"

Her words didn't provide any comfort. Instead, it made the weight on my shoulders even heavier.

The rest of the afternoon faded in a blur of meetings, paperwork, and things my brain fought to process.

"Go home, Miss Rose," Janet said to me when the time turned 6:00pm, "Tomorrow will be another long day, especially if that meeting with Grand Palms is arranged. You need the rest,"

So I gathered up my things and made my way to the elevator.

The parking lot was nearly empty. I had taken a cab to work this morning but Janet had informed me that Richard's car was now mine.

But I didn't take the car – the thought of driving something that cost more than I'd earned in five years wasn't exactly pleasing to me.

So I called another cab.

Thirty minutes later, I closed the door of my modest apartment behind me.

I pulled out my phone and called the one person who could help make sense of insanity.

"Lily, hi girl," Sophia's bubbly voice filled my ears when the line connected, "Gosh, I've missed you. Did you actually go through with it?"

"You would not believe what happened," I launched into the whole story, leaving out no detail, most importantly, Alexander.

"Wait, wait," Sophia cut in, "The Alexander Thompson? The one from the hotel?"

"The very same. Oh my God, how is this my life?"

There was a pause on the other end and when Sophia spoke again, her tone had shifted lightly,

"So... what's he like? I mean, besides being gorgeous and angry?"

"Arrogant. He's convinced I'm some kind of con artist," I said, "I can't really blame him though. If I dedicated my whole life to something only to have it pulled away from me, I'd go berserk too. It's all complicated,"

"Complicated," Sophia said slowly, "Lily, it was given to you. There's a difference,"

"Well, tell that to Alexander,"

Another pause. "So what happens now? Are you going to stay? Try to actually run this company?"

I remembered the look on Marcus's face when I told him to schedule the meeting with Grand Palms.

I thought about the fifteen thousand employees whose livelihoods depended on Thompson Enterprises staying stable.

"I have to try," I said finally, resigning to my fate, "Richard chose me for a reason, even though I don't get it yet. And I'd hate to disappoint him,"

"That's my girl," Sophia said but she sounded off. "Listen, I have to run, but we should get together soon. I want to hear everything. And I mean everything."

"Of course, thank you for listening, Sophia. I'm lucky to have you,"

"As I always say,"

After we hung up, I pulled up my email to find dozens of messages already flooding my new corporate account.

Most were the normal welcome messages.

But one caught my eye.

It was an eternal memory of tomorrow's executive strategy meeting.

Required attendees included: Lily Rose, CEO, and Alexander Thompson, President of Operations.

My stomach twisted at the thought of seeing Alexander again, in less than twelve hours.

But this time, I had to be ready.

I turned on my laptop and began reading everything I needed to know about Thompson Enterprises.

I was determined to walk into that meeting less of a novice than I am today.

I was ready to give Alexander a war if he desired.

But as I studied the reports, I couldn't stop my mind from wandering back to that night at the hotel.

When Alexander had made me forget who I was.

And now –

The same hands that'd brought me pleasure wanted to push me out.