Damian stepped out of the elevator and was immediately greeted.
"Good morning, sir. Welcome back," said Becky, his father's secretary and trusted assistant. Damian knew at once his father must have sent her.
"Good morning, Beck. How are you?" he asked warmly.
"Fine, sir," she replied with a smile. "The Boss is in a meeting, and he wants you there right away."
As they headed toward the meeting room, questions stirred in Damian's mind. He was almost certain this meeting had to do with the long-awaited announcement. But before he could ask, Becky spoke first.
"Sir, if I may… do you know what the big announcement is?"
Damian chuckled lightly. "Well, I should be asking you that. You're his secretary."
She made a face. "You know Mr. Jacob. He keeps everything to himself. Nobody ever knows what's on his mind."
"Then we'll all hear it soon enough," Damian replied.
Becky leaned closer as they walked. "Whatever it is, it must be serious. All the big-time investors of Stock Firm are here this morning."
As they reached the corridor, they met Mr. Creed, Mr. Jacob's right-hand man and long-time partner.
"Good morning, sir," Damian greeted him, while Becky gave a polite bow.
"Damian," Creed said warmly, extending his hand. "It's good to have you back."
After a brief handshake, Damian slipped his hands into his pockets. "I'll see you inside, sir."
"Of course. I'll join you soon," Creed replied. "I'm waiting to welcome the President and lead him to the meeting."
Becky's eyes widened as she and Damian walked on. "So even the President is coming? Now I really can't wait to hear what this announcement is."
At Stock Firm, the hierarchy was clear: the Elizurs were the largest shareholders and founders of the company, followed by President Isaiah and several other prominent investors from both within and outside the country. Beside them sat the main administrators: Mr. Jacob, his right-hand Creed, and Becky, who most people addressed as Miss Beck—except Damian, who preferred simply to call her Beck.
Damian respected these people greatly, especially because they were among the few who addressed him by name instead of "sir" or "boss." He and Creed were also the only ones, besides the shareholders, who dared call Mr. Jacob by his name. Even Becky, despite working with Jacob for years, still called him "Boss."
Back when Damian's mother was alive, she too had known Creed well—perhaps too well. Rumors whispered that Creed and Mary had once shared a romance long before Jacob ever came into the picture.
---
Meanwhile, at the local firm, Menalla and her friend had just taken their lunch break.
"I'll grab some snacks," her friend said.
But Menalla barely looked up from her computer. "Sorry, I'll pass. Too much work to do."
"Okay then. See you later," her friend replied.
Moments later, Menalla's phone rang—it was the hospital. She picked up.
"Hello?" But the line was breaking. The reception in the office was poor, so she stepped outside and tried calling back. No answer.
"What could it be this time?" she muttered, worried. She turned to go back inside but only to freeze.
Carlious stood in front of her again.
Ignoring him, she kept walking.
"Menalla, please, just hear me out. Say something, anything!" Carlious begged.
But she remained silent, her steps firm. Still, Isaac was not about to give up.
"It was all a lie, Menalla!" he cried. "She was never pregnant. The moment I found out the truth, I divorced her. You're the one I love, Menalla. You're my everything. I'd give up everything to have you back."
He dropped to his knees before her. People nearby began staring. Menalla felt embarrassment rising.
"Get up, Carlious" she said coldly.
He obeyed, and she looked him dead in the eye. "Whether or not she was pregnant doesn't change the fact you were with her. You betrayed me. You lied to me. You made empty promises. I'm done."
She stepped back and turned toward the office building. But before she could open the door, Carlious rushed forward, grabbed her hand, and pulled her close, pressing his lips against hers.
---
Back at Stock Firm, the atmosphere in the grand conference hall was heavy with anticipation. The board of shareholders and directors sat assembled. Famous journalists and reporters filled the room, ready to broadcast every word.
Finally, Mr. Jacob rose to his feet. His commanding voice silenced the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us today. This is a historic moment for Stock Firm. For decades, we have stood as a pillar of strength and innovation. But every great company must evolve—and today marks the beginning of a new era."
Whispers rippled across the hall.
"First, I am proud to announce that my son, Damian, will be stepping into a new role effective immediately, he will serve as the next Chief Executive Officer of Stock Firm."
Gasps erupted. Cameras flashed. All eyes turned to Damian, who sat stiffly, his expression unreadable.
Jacob raised his hand for silence. "Second, I am pleased to confirm that Stock Firm has finalized negotiations with international partners. We will be shifting a significant share of control to foreign investors, expanding our influence beyond national borders."
The hall exploded with murmurs shock, excitement, doubt. The journalists scribbled furiously. The shareholders exchanged tense glances.
Damian's heart pounded. Two announcements both life-changing. His future had just been rewritten in front of the world.