5. Unexpected Turn of Event

The Next day at TechSphere Auditorium...

The anticipation in the auditorium was really high. There was a mixture of curiosity and speculation going on around as everyone was seated.

Kathryn stood at the entrance, hidden from view, observing the room filled with eager faces. Faces that belonged to the participants who had submitted their proposals for the TechSphere project evaluation.

Murmurs and whispers buzzed through the crowd, creating a low hum. People were speculating about the sudden urgency of the meeting and the enigmatic figure who would soon address them.

Little did they know that the heiress they had heard about was not just a distant character but present, ready to take charge.

As Kathryn lingered in the shadows, snippets of some conversations reached her ears, and she couldn't help but listen to them.

"I heard the new CEO is not only young but also a Rowland. Must be quite the prodigy."

"They say she's been away for years and returned overnight just to take over."

"Could she really handle such responsibility? I mean, TechSphere is a giant in the industry. I thought her older brother David, would be taking over, not her."

"I wondered who would be the lucky guy to put a ring on her finger."

"Of course, It would be Anderson Gilbert. The heir to the Gilbert's fortune." One of the participants replied.

At the mention of Anderson's name, Kathryn's face dropped in sadness. She stopped eavesdropping and walked away. She needed to be focused today, so she didn't want any negative words that would make her spirit low.

"Really? I thought they broke up a few years ago." Another person added.

"Yes, but Anderson is back in the city immediately after she arrived. What does that imply?"

"Oh, that's true. Everything is making sense now."

The first man who talked instantly looked around and made a hand gesture for them to move closer to him.

His voice above whisper as he bent his head down a bit. "I also heard that Anderson Gilbert would be showing up today alongside the heiress."

Everyone around him exclaimed in shock and shook their heads.

"Really?"

"Seriously?"

"Yes, and we might witness something spectacular today from those two"

"I really can't wait!" One of them said with all smiles written on his face.

Amidst the chatter, Marcus Thompson and his mistress Julia Roberts, couldn't help but listen to the murmurs around them as well.

Marcus, with a slight smirk on his face, leaned towards Julia. "I wonder who this new CEO is. Probably someone they roped in last minute to handle the pressure."

Julia chuckled softly, clearly sharing Marcus's sentiment. "Well, whoever it is, they'll have a tough time managing a company of this calibre. My uncle said it's a young lady, and we wouldn't have an issue getting our proposal accepted."

"Really?" Marcus grinned and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, Julia. I don't know what I would have done without you by my side. Winning this project would mean the world to me."

"It's fine Marcus, I got you covered. Just hasten everything you need to so we can get married as soon as possible. I want to move in as your legal wife soon!"

Marcus gently took her hands into his and patted it. "You have nothing to worry about sweetheart. I'm already on it."

"Better!" Julia rolled her eyes, an acceptance smirk evident on her face.

The clock ticked away, and the anticipation reached its peak. As the room hushed, the door creaked open, drawing all eyes to the entrance. A collective inhale of breath echoed through the auditorium as everyone awaited the arrival of the mysterious CEO.

Just as the whispers grew in intensity, the spotlight shifted from the entrance to the figure stepping into view. A momentary silence gripped the room before a wave of astonishment swept through the audience.

The atmosphere crackled with disbelief, and Marcus and Julia, who were engrossed in their conversation, abruptly fell silent as they raised their heads. The murmurs and whispers that had been swirling turned into an electrifying buzz.

"It's her... The lady from the news."

"The Rowland heiress. The New CEO."

"No way! Is that really her?"

"Wow! She's so beautiful and young!"

In a sharp charcoal pantsuit, tailored to perfection, Kathryn strides into the room exuding quiet confidence. The sleek blazer hugs her form, commanding attention without compromise. Beneath, a silk blouse in a shade of midnight blue adds a touch of femininity.

Completing the look, stiletto heels click decisively, echoing the innovative strides of authority.

As Kathryn stepped into the auditorium, the gaze of everyone fixated on her. The room seemed to pulse with a newfound energy of shock, awe, and curiosity.

As she walked towards the stage with hefty security guards behind her, the atmosphere became charged with tension.

Kathryn swirled her head a bit and suddenly saw Marcus amongst the other participants.

There he was, her ex-husband, draped in arrogance as always, holding hands with his new flame, the mistress who shattered their vows.

Their eyes widened in disbelief as they saw Kathryn, a woman they thought they had reduced to mere ashes. Little did they know, that beneath her being a submissive housewife to Marcus and their family then, she had always been a heiress and now, the CEO of the biggest thriving tech empire.

The power dynamics shifted, and at that moment, they were the ones left speechless, realizing they underestimated the strength that had blossomed from the ruins of their past.

Marcus and Julia, frozen in their seats, exchanged wide-eyed glances. The expressions on their faces mirrored the collective surprise of the room.

It was a moment frozen in time, an unexpected twist that left everyone grasping the revelation.

As Kathryn continued to move towards the stage, the silence held, each step echoing in stillness. The gazes upon her were hardened, and she felt a surge of strength from within.

The projections of doubt and scepticism were etched across some faces, while others reflected a sense of acknowledgement.

With every step she took, the reality of her newfound position became glaring. Not just as the CEO, but as the unexpected orchestrator of this dramatic unveiling.

As she reached the stage, a hushed acknowledgement rippled through the auditorium.

The participants, once in a sea of uncertainty, rose to their feet, a collective acceptance of the authority that now stood before them.

The shock on Marcus and Julia's faces still painted a vivid picture of the unexpected turn of events.

"Is that really Kathryn?" Julia was the first to break the silence, glaring at the auditorium stage.

Marcus, who was already lost in his thoughts didn't hear Julia's question. His gaze was fixed on the stage while trying to process what exactly was going on.

He wonders if that was his unattractive ex-wife he had known for six years, looking radiant on that stage. He still couldn't believe his eyes.

Kathryn took a deep breath, prepared to address the gathering and usher in a new era for TechSphere when Anderson Gilbert suddenly walked into the auditorium and gazes shifted to him...