At precisely 3:00 p.m., Alana entered the meeting room, taking a seat among the key members of Bourgeois. Her eyes scanned the room, noting the intense gazes of her peers. One, in particular, caught her attention. A striking woman in her late 20s with sharp features and a name tag that read “Alice, Chief Designer,” fixed her with a frosty glare.
This industry is a battlefield. There are no allies here.
The tension in the room thickened as heavy footsteps echoed in the corridor. The door opened, and a tall man in a perfectly tailored suit entered. His presence was magnetic, commanding attention without effort. His angular features and sharp gaze exuded authority, and an air of mystery clung to him as he walked to the head of the table and sat down.
A murmur rippled through the room before falling into silence.
Who is this man? Alana wondered, her curiosity piqued. Wasn’t the boss supposed to be an older man?
The company’s vice president, Lucio Ferraz, stood and cleared his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce Mr. Enzo Presgrave, the new CEO and president of QR International Jewelry Group. From this day forward, he will oversee all operations of Bourgeois.”
The announcement hit like a thunderclap. Gasps filled the room, and a wave of whispers followed.
Enzo Presgrave? Alana’s heart sank. Her gaze shot to the man at the head of the table, who met her eyes with a steady, piercing stare. Her pulse quickened as unease crept over her.
Why is he here? she wondered. Is this another attempt by the Presgrave family to involve themselves in my life?
Throughout the meeting, Alana struggled to focus. Her mind raced with questions, and now and then, she felt Enzo’s gaze on her. It was unnerving. She glanced at him, only to find his eyes already on her. The intensity of his stare made her skin crawl.
The other women in the room weren’t oblivious either. They noticed Enzo’s repeated attention on Alana, and jealousy flickered in their expressions. Whispers and sideways glances filled the room.
By the time the meeting ended, Alana was desperate to leave. She bolted back to her office, her thoughts spinning in disarray. She barely had time to catch her breath when there was a knock at her door.
Before she could respond, it opened, and Enzo walked in, his tall frame filling the doorway.
“What do you want?” Alana asked, her voice sharp as she sat back in her chair.
Enzo closed the door behind him, his movements slow and deliberate. He pulled out the chair across from her and sat down with unshakable confidence.
“Miss Tavares,” he began, his voice low and commanding, “we need to talk.”
“If it’s about work, fine. If not, I’m not interested,” she snapped, crossing her arms defensively.
Enzo’s expression remained unreadable as he leaned forward slightly. “Your mother saved my life. She gave everything to protect me when I was just a child. My family owes you a debt that can never be repaid. But I will try.”
Alana’s heart clenched at his words, but she refused to let it show. “There’s nothing to repay,” she said firmly. “My mother did her duty as a police officer. That was her choice, not mine.”
Enzo’s eyes darkened. “I’ve heard about your son,” he said quietly. “If you’d allow it, I can help raise him. Give him the life he deserves.”
Alana’s head snapped up, her eyes narrowing. Something about the offer felt off. For a brief moment, she studied his face. Her son’s features flashed in her mind. The resemblance was uncanny.
Could it be…?
She shook the thought away, her voice sharp. “I don’t need your help. My son and I are fine on our own.”
Enzo’s gaze lingered on her, filled with something she couldn’t quite place. “If you ever change your mind, my offer stands.”
With that, he stood and walked out, leaving Alana to wrestle with the storm of questions swirling in her mind.
Last updated on August 20th, 2025 at 11:21 pm
