CHAPTER 3 A Stressful office day

The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of the Imperial Villa, casting a soft glow on the elegant interior. Yet, within its walls, there was no warmth, only a lingering tension that had taken root over the years.

"Helena, wake up! It's almost time for college," Sarah's voice rang out, tinged with forced cheerfulness as she gently shook her sister's shoulder.

But Helena's response was cold, like the winter chill that never seemed to leave her. "I don't want to go. You should go and manage your so-called Neil Corporation," she replied, her voice sharp and devoid of any affection.

Sarah's heart tightened at the words, but she quickly masked her pain. Ever since Helena's last suicide attempt, the once vibrant and loving sister she knew had become a stranger—cold, distant, and burdened by her fate. Confined to a wheelchair, Helena had built walls around herself, and no matter how hard Sarah tried, she couldn't break through them.

"Go to hell! You can do anything you want, even if you die, I don't care," Sarah snapped, her anger flaring as she stormed out of the villa. But as she crossed the threshold, the echo of Helena's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Like you didn't care when our little brother died," Helena whispered, tears pooling in her eyes, her voice barely audible but heavy with the weight of unspoken grief.

Sarah paused, her heart pounding in her chest. But instead of turning back, she clenched her fists and walked away, leaving Helena alone with her sorrow. 

Helena's gaze drifted to the sky, her tears finally spilling over. "Little brother, we miss you so much. If you were here, we three would be living a good life," she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion.

Five years had passed since that fateful night, but the pain was as fresh as ever. The loss of their brother had shattered their once-happy family, leaving them adrift in a sea of grief and regret. But deep down, Helena knew she couldn't stay lost forever. As much as she resented it, life continued to move forward, and she had to find a way to move with it.

---

Across the city, the high-rise headquarters of Neil Corporation loomed like a fortress of glass and steel. Inside, Sarah Johnson, the CEO, was a picture of poise and determination. She stepped out of her black Mercedes, her heels clicking purposefully on the polished floor as she entered the building. The air was thick with anticipation, and she knew that today was not just another day—it was a day that could change everything.

"Good morning, Ms. Johnson," the receptionist greeted her with a warm smile, unaware of the turmoil brewing beneath Sarah's composed exterior.

"Good morning," Sarah replied, her voice calm, betraying none of the storm inside her.

As she rode the private elevator to the 108th floor, Sarah mentally reviewed her schedule. Meetings with investors, a presentation on the new product line, a team review—on paper, it was a routine day. But Sarah knew better. In the business world, the calm was always deceptive, a prelude to the storm.

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding, and Sarah stepped out, greeted by her assistant, Jenny, who was already waiting for her.

"Good morning, Sarah," Jenny said, handing her a folder. "You have a meeting with the investors at 10 am, followed by the product line presentation at noon, and then the team review at 2 pm. The marketing team also wants a quick chat about the new campaign."

"Perfect, let's get started," Sarah nodded, taking the folder and heading into her office. As she sat down at her desk, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead.

---

Later, as Sarah and Jenny prepared for the investor meeting, a sense of foreboding hung in the air. Sarah couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

As they entered the conference room, the tension was palpable. The shareholders were already seated, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Sarah began her presentation, outlining her vision for the company's future, but it wasn't long before one of the shareholders interrupted.

"Ms. Johnson, I don't think we need to launch a new product line. We are doing well as it is. In fact, I think it's time we change the CEO," the shareholder declared, his voice cutting through the air like a knife.

Gasps echoed through the room, and a murmur of dissent rippled among the other shareholders. Sarah's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly regained her composure, her expression steely.

"What are you talking about? I've been leading this company successfully for years," she replied, her voice firm, but there was a slight tremor beneath the surface, a crack in her usually unshakable facade.

"I understand, but I believe it's time for a change in leadership," the shareholder argued, his tone unwavering.

The room erupted into a heated debate, with some shareholders siding with the dissenting voice and others fiercely defending Sarah's leadership. It was a battle of power and influence, one that Sarah had never imagined she would have to fight within her own company.

"Please, let's not get carried away. We are all here to make the best decision for the company," Sarah implored, trying to maintain control of the situation. But despite her efforts, the argument continued to rage, the tension escalating with every passing moment.

---

When the meeting finally ended, Sarah left the conference room with Jenny by her side, her mind reeling. Half of the shareholders had stood by her, but the other half… Sarah knew that the battle was far from over.

"You did well, Ms. Johnson. We're halfway there," Jenny said, offering a reassuring smile as they made their way back to Sarah's office.

But as Sarah tried to shake off the unease, her phone buzzed with a message. She glanced at it, and her blood ran cold.

**Unknown Caller:** *I don't think you're going to be the CEO for much longer, Ms. Johnson. Watch your back.*

The words were a chilling reminder that her position was far from secure. Sarah shuddered, the weight of the threat settling heavily on her shoulders. The walls were closing in, and the once invincible Sarah Johnson now felt the vulnerability creeping in.

---

Back in her office, Sarah slumped onto the couch, exhaustion washing over her. Jenny, noticing her distress, approached carefully.

"Ms. Johnson, are you alright? What happened?" Jenny asked, her voice laced with concern.

Sarah sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I received a threatening call after the meeting today. It's been a stressful day."

Jenny's eyes widened in alarm. "Did you report it?"

"No," Sarah shook her head. "There's not much they can do. But thank you for your concern."

"You're strong, Ms. Johnson. You've always been," Jenny said softly, her voice full of warmth and reassurance.

Sarah managed a weak smile. "Thank you, Jenny. You're right. I need to stay strong."

But as Jenny left the room, Sarah's thoughts drifted to her brother. Memories of him flooded her mind—his unwavering strength, his fierce protectiveness. He was always there, a constant pillar of support. And now, in his absence, Sarah felt the weight of the world pressing down on her.

"If only he were here," she thought, the ache of loss tightening her chest. "He would make sure no one dared to cross me."

But deep down, Sarah knew that her brother would want her to fight her battles on her own. He would want her to be strong, to stand tall even in the face of adversity. And so, with renewed determination, Sarah stood up from the couch, her resolve hardening like steel.

"I will honor his memory by being the best CEO I can be. I will fight for what is right, and I will not let anyone undermine me," she vowed silently, the fire of determination blazing in her eyes.

As the day came to a close, Sarah left her office, the weight of the day still heavy on her shoulders. But beneath the exhaustion, there was a spark of resilience—a quiet strength that refused to be extinguished.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new battles to fight. But Sarah was ready. She would face whatever came her way with the same determination that had carried her this far. And with her brother's spirit guiding her, she knew she would prevail.

Sarah drove home, her mind replaying the events of the day. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city. The streets, usually bustling with activity, were now quieter, as if the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. The city lights flickered to life, casting a warm glow on the towering buildings. Yet, despite the beauty of the evening, Sarah felt an unsettling chill deep within her.

As she pulled into the driveway of her elegant suburban home, she noticed the house seemed unusually dark. The lights that usually greeted her were off, and the air felt heavy, almost oppressive. Sarah's heart skipped a beat as she stepped out of the car, her heels clicking on the pavement, the sound echoing ominously in the silence.

She hesitated for a moment before walking up to the front door. Her hand trembled slightly as she inserted the key and turned it, the door creaking open. The darkness inside felt like a void, swallowing the light from the street. She reached for the light switch, but before she could flick it on, a voice—calm, cold, and calculated—spoke from the shadows.

"Welcome home, Ms. Johnson."

Sarah froze, her heart racing as her eyes struggled to adjust to the darkness. The voice was unfamiliar, and it sent a shiver down her spine. She instinctively took a step back, her pulse quickening.

"Who's there?" she demanded, her voice steadier than she felt. She strained her eyes, trying to make out a figure in the dim light.

A tall, imposing figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into a faint beam of light that spilled through the open door. The man was dressed in a dark, tailored suit, his face partially obscured by the shadows. His presence exuded power and danger, a coldness that seemed to seep into the very air around him.

"You don't need to know who I am," he said, his voice low and menacing. "What you need to know is that your time as CEO is coming to an end."

Sarah's mind raced. The threatening call, the resistance from the shareholders, and now this—the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, but the picture they formed was far more dangerous than she had anticipated.

"Is this about the board?" Sarah asked, trying to keep her voice calm, her thoughts sharp. "Are they behind this?"

The man chuckled, a sound that sent another wave of fear through her. "The board? They're just pawns in a much larger game, Ms. Johnson. You've made some powerful enemies, and they've decided it's time for you to step aside."

Sarah's fear slowly turned to anger, her blood boiling at the audacity of the threat. "I've worked too hard to let anyone take this from me," she hissed, her voice laced with defiance. "I won't be intimidated."

The man's expression remained unchanged, his eyes cold and unfeeling. "That's where you're mistaken," he said, his tone dripping with malice. "This isn't about intimidation. This is about survival. Yours, specifically."

The threat hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. Sarah's mind whirled, searching for a way out of this situation. She knew she couldn't show weakness, not now, not when so much was at stake.

"I'm not afraid of you," Sarah said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "I've faced worse threats and survived. You're just another obstacle, and I will overcome you, just like I've overcome everything else."

The man tilted his head slightly, as if considering her words. "Perhaps you will," he said, his voice softening just a fraction. "But know this, Ms. Johnson—your decisions from here on out will determine not just your future, but the future of everyone you care about. Choose wisely."

With that, the man turned and melted back into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared. The silence that followed was deafening, the weight of his words pressing down on Sarah like a physical force.

She stood there for a moment, her mind reeling from the encounter. The threat was real, and the stakes were higher than ever. But as fear threatened to consume her, something else began to take root—a fierce determination, born from years of struggle and hardship.

Sarah knew she was in a dangerous game, one that required cunning, strength, and an unyielding will to survive. But she was ready. She had always been ready, even when she didn't realize it.

As she finally flicked on the light, illuminating the darkness, Sarah felt a sense of clarity. The battle ahead would be brutal, but she wouldn't face it alone. She had allies, resources, and above all, the memory of her brother—the one person who had always believed in her, who had taught her to fight, to survive, to never back down.

And so, with renewed resolve, Sarah closed the door behind her, locking out the darkness, and began to plan her next move. The game was on, and she intended to win—no matter the cost.