The boardroom was a masterpiece of modern design, a testament to the sheer scale of Stacy's ambition. A massive, polished mahogany table reflected the city lights like a dark mirror, surrounded by plush leather chairs that probably cost more than my old bike. The floor-to-ceiling window offered a breathtaking, panoramic view of Grand Metropolis sprawling beneath us, a kingdom of glittering lights waiting to be conquered.
I stood there for a moment, just taking it all in. My team—my court—was assembled. My mom, my aunt, Isabel, Lily, Anna, and Tiffany. Each of them was a powerhouse in her own right, a queen in her own domain. And they were all here, in this room, because of me.
Stacy, ever the gracious host, broke the stunned silence. "So," she said, a slow, satisfied smile spreading across her face as she gestured around the room. "What do you think of our new headquarters?"
"Stacy, this isn't just a headquarters," Isabel breathed, her eyes wide with awe. "This is the entire top floor of the tallest building in the city."
Stacy let out a small, amused laugh. "Not quite, Izzy," she said, her voice a low, casual purr that dripped with power. "This whole building is our headquarters."
Isabel's jaw literally dropped. She stumbled back a step, her hand flying to her mouth as she stared out the window again, not just at the view, but down, down at the street so far below. Her mind struggled to comprehend the sheer scale of what Stacy had just said. An entire skyscraper. Not rented. Ours. The display of wealth and power was so absolute, so far beyond anything she had ever imagined, that it left her completely speechless, her earlier awe replaced by a profound, humbling shock.
"A minor detail," Stacy continued with a dismissive wave of her hand, though her eyes glinted with pride. "We needed a space that reflected our ambition."
Her gaze then shifted, a sharp, analytical light entering her eyes as she looked from Lily to my mother and my aunt. "Speaking of which, Adam," she began, her voice a cool, calculated purr. "You've been busy. I don't believe we've been properly introduced to your new… recruits."
Tiffany chimed in, her own expression a mask of cold curiosity. "Yes, Leader. You seem to have a talent for gathering… unique assets. How exactly did you manage to convince Northwood's 'Demon Queen' to abandon her post? And I must admit, I'm also curious as to why the supermodel Christine Holmes is suddenly part of our inner circle. And who, exactly, is our brilliant, experienced CEO?"
The questions hung in the air, a direct challenge to my authority. This was it. This was the moment. I knew, with a certainty that settled deep in my bones, that this was more than just a meeting. This was my coronation. I had to prove to them, to all of them, that I wasn't just some lucky kid who had stumbled into power. I had to prove that I was a man. A king. A man every woman in this room would desire, respect, and follow without question.
I took a deep breath, and as I exhaled, I activated my skills.
System, activate [Incubus], [Charmer], [King's Aura], [Experienced Strategist], [Chanakya], [Great Leader], [Napoleon], [Casanova], and [President].
The air in the room shifted. It wasn't a dramatic change, but a subtle, powerful transformation. The atmosphere grew thick, heavy, charged with an unseen authority that seemed to emanate from my very being. The casual confidence I usually projected was replaced by something else, something deeper, more primal. It was an aura of absolute control, of irresistible charm, of a will that could bend the world to its whim.
I stood up and walked to the head of the table, my movements slow and deliberate. Every eye in the room was on me, their earlier skepticism and curiosity replaced by a new, captivated awe. The women in this room were all strong, independent, and brilliant. But under the overwhelming influence of my combined skills, their defenses began to crumble, replaced by a strange, fluttering anticipation, a subconscious desire to be connected to the source of this incredible power.
"Thank you, everyone, for being here," I began, my voice a low, resonant hum that seemed to vibrate in the very air around us. "And congratulations. Today is the first official day of the Phoenix Capital Group." I paused, letting the name sink in. "This is the name of our new empire. And we are all going to give our absolute best to make this group known throughout the entire world."
I let my gaze sweep over each of them, my eyes lingering for a fraction of a second on each woman, forging a silent, personal connection. "But before we begin, I think it's time for some proper introductions."
Stacy began, her voice smooth and regal. "I am Stacy Brooklyn, co-founder and chairperson. It's a pleasure to finally meet the team Adam has assembled. I must say, I'm intrigued."
Tiffany followed, her tone crisp and analytical. "Tiffany Watson, co-founder. I'm here to ensure our strategies are sound and our operations are flawless. Efficiency is key."
Anna, her voice a timid whisper but her eyes shining with a new confidence, was next. "I'm Anna Brown, co-founder. I'll be handling our data infrastructure and... other technical needs. I'm grateful for this opportunity, Leader."
Lily stood, her posture exuding a quiet authority that commanded the room. "Lily Harrison," she said, her turquoise eyes meeting mine with a look of profound trust. "Adam has presented me with a new challenge, one I'm eager to undertake. I look forward to working with you all."
Then, Aunt Chris spoke, her voice a warm, elegant melody that instantly put everyone at ease. "I am Christine Holmes. Adam has offered me a chance to build something new, something meaningful, from the ground up. It's an honor to be here with such a dynamic group of women." She gave me a small, proud smile that made my heart swell.
Mom was the last to speak, her voice a little shaky but filled with a resolve I hadn't heard in years. "My name is Joyce Wilson. To be honest, I'm still processing all of this. Adam has... a very persuasive way of presenting things." A soft, knowing look passed between us. "But he has placed his faith in me, and I will not let him, or any of you, down."
Isabel, who had been watching everyone with a fierce, protective pride, finally spoke up, her voice ringing with a youthful energy that cut through the serious atmosphere. "And I'm Isabel Wilson! I'm here to make sure everyone stays on their toes and that our leader's vision is carried out. No slackers allowed!"
When they had finished, I spoke again, my voice ringing with a new, undeniable authority. "Now, it is time to assign the official positions. Stacy and I are the founders and chairpersons of this company. Anna and Tiffany, with their unparalleled skills, will be our co-founders."
I then looked at my mother. "Joyce Wilson will be our Chief Executive Officer."
A wave of shock went through the room. My mom herself looked completely taken aback. "Adam, I… I don't know if I can…"
I cut her off, my voice gentle but firm. "You can, Mom. And you will. You've been the CEO of our family for years. This is no different. You are the most capable leader I know." My words, amplified by my skills, were not just a suggestion; they were a statement of absolute faith that she couldn't help but believe.
I then turned to my aunt. "Christine Holmes will be our Head of Public Relations and Brand Development."
Aunt Chris looked surprised, but a slow, brilliant smile spread across her face. The dream I had offered her was becoming a reality.
"Lily Harrison will be our Head of Human Resources and Talent Development."
Lily, who had already accepted the role, just gave me a small, confident nod, her eyes shining with a new, powerful light.
"And finally," I said, my gaze landing on Isabel. "Isabel Wilson will be the Head of the Management Department, our Chief Operating Officer."
The room was filled with a stunned silence. The sheer audacity of my appointments, the absolute confidence with which I had handed out these powerful positions, was almost too much for them to process.
Isabel was the first to speak, her voice a mixture of shock and a dawning excitement. "Adam… a COO? Are you sure I can handle that?"
"You are the most decisive and charismatic person I know, Izzy," I said, my voice a warm, reassuring balm. "You were born to lead."
The questions started then, a flood of doubts and insecurities. "But Adam, we don't have the experience…" "This is all happening so fast…" "Are we really ready for this?"
I met their doubts head-on, not with a blanket statement, but by addressing each of them personally. I turned first to my mother, whose face was a mask of anxiety. "Mom, you say you don't have the experience to be a CEO," I said, my voice softening. "But for years, you've been the CEO of our family. You've managed budgets that were impossibly tight, navigated emotional crises that would break most people, and made strategic decisions every single day to keep us safe and afloat. A corporation is just a bigger, messier family. I'm not asking you to do something new; I'm asking you to do what you've always done, but on a stage that is worthy of your talent."
Next, I looked at Aunt Chris, who was trying to hide her own vulnerability behind a mask of cool elegance. "Aunt Chris, I know you're thinking about the industry that broke you," I said, my voice filled with a fierce protectiveness. "But that trauma isn't your weakness; it's your greatest strength. You know their tactics, you know their corruption. You can build a brand that is the complete opposite—one built on dignity and respect. You're not just selling a product; you're selling a promise. A promise that you will protect your people. No one else can do that."
Finally, I turned to Isabel, who was looking down at the table, her own self-doubt a palpable force. "Izzy, you think you're not ready to be a COO? You single-handedly organized the Hunter's Guild's training bootcamp from nothing. You manage schedules, you motivate people, and you get results. You were the Secretary of the Student Council. You've been a manager your whole life. This isn't a promotion; it's just a new title for the job you're already doing."
I stood there, my gaze sweeping over all of them, the power of my conviction a tangible force in the room. "This company, Phoenix Capital Group, isn't just a business. It's our second chance. It's the fortress we're building from the ashes of our old lives. Every struggle, every scar, every moment of pain we have endured—that is our experience. That is what makes us strong. We are not just a company; we are a family forged in fire. And we will not fail."
The room was buzzing with a new, electric energy. Stacy, her eyes shining with a respect that went beyond our business partnership, just shook her head in amazement. "You are truly something else, Adam Wilson."
Tiffany, her usual coldness completely gone, looked at me with a new, profound understanding. "He's not a leader," she said, her voice a low murmur. "He's a force of nature."
After the positions were set, a new, more practical problem surfaced. Lily, ever the pragmatist, was the first to voice it. "This is an excellent leadership team," she said, her gaze sweeping around the table. "But a leadership team needs a company to lead. We need a working class. We need employees."
Stacy nodded in agreement. "She's right. We have the capital and the strategy, but we have no workforce."
"I know we need employees," I said, my own mind already churning.
"I want to say something," Lily interjected, her tone thoughtful. "We don't need experienced ones."
Everyone looked at her, confused. Even Tiffany raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, Miss Lily? In a high-stakes field like investment, experience is everything."
"Experienced people are tough to handle," Lily explained, her teacher's instinct for instruction coming to the forefront. "They come with preconceived notions, old loyalties, and bad habits. They are set in their ways. But freshers... recent graduates... they are blank paper. We can train them however we want. We can mold them to our company's specific culture and methodology. We will have their complete, undivided loyalty because we will be the ones giving them their first chance. We will have full control."
My mom was the first to agree, a look of profound understanding on her face. "She's absolutely right," she said, her CEO mindset already kicking in. "It's a brilliant strategy. It minimizes risk and maximizes loyalty. We build our army from the ground up."
All eyes turned to me, waiting for my final verdict.
I let a slow, confident smile spread across my face. "I'll handle it," I said, my voice leaving no room for doubt. "In the next few days, you will have so many resumes on your desk you won't know what to do with them."
Stacy leaned forward, a new, collaborative light in her eyes. "I'll help you find them," she offered. "I have connections at some of the top universities."
Finally, Anna and Tiffany stood up and moved to the large screen at the end of the boardroom, their own professional personas taking over. "Now that the leadership is established," Tiffany began, her voice crisp and efficient, "it is time to discuss the workflow of Phoenix Capital Group."
Their voices filled the room, a confident, brilliant symphony of data and strategy. Anna would project a complex market analysis onto the screen, a cascade of numbers and charts, and before she could even finish her sentence, Tiffany would translate it into three different actionable investment strategies. But I wasn't just listening to their words. My gaze drifted around the table. My mother was leaning forward, her face a mask of intense concentration, the lines of worry around her eyes completely gone, replaced by the sharp focus of a commander. She interjected with a sharp, insightful question about operational budgets, her CEO instincts already taking over. Across from her, my aunt was no longer staring into the distance; a small, genuine smile played on her lips as she sketched a design on a napkin—a stylized phoenix rising from a bed of flames. The creative fire in her eyes was lit once more. Isabel wasn't looking at me for reassurance anymore; she was looking at Tiffany, asking a pointed question about logistical timelines, her COO mind already at work. And Lily, no longer just a teacher, chimed in with an observation about the kind of personality profiles they would need to recruit for such an aggressive strategy.
This was it. This was the beginning. The lonely boy who had been beaten and thrown in a dumpster was gone. In his place was a king, surrounded by his queens. And we were about to build our empire.