Chapter three
Ashford Empire Headquarters – 7:42 AM
The sun had barely touched the skyline, but the Ashford Empire building was already alive with movement. Employees in sharp suits buzzed through the lobby, their steps swift and precise, knowing the man at the top despised delays.
Xavier Ashford stood alone in the elevator, hands tucked neatly into the pockets of his black suit. His gaze was fixed forward, unreadable, sharp. Last night still lingered in the back of his mind — the fainting girl, her familiar face, the sting of a past he wasn't ready to confront… not yet.
The soft chime of the elevator doors opening broke his thoughts.
"Morning, Mr. Ashford," several assistants greeted him, bowing slightly as he walked past them, straight toward the executive boardroom.
Inside, the tension was already brewing.
Around the table sat six of the board's senior members — older men and women, all dressed in tailored suits and guarded expressions. Among them were:
Douglas Crane, the ever-skeptical CFO
Irene Halden, sharp-tongued and the head of legal affairs
Malcolm Voss, Xavier's father's oldest friend, and board elder
Lydia Mays, head of operations and one of Xavier's few supporters
Frederick Cho, international affairs
Harold Dunne, always chasing control where he didn't belong
"You're late," Crane said without looking up from the stack of reports before him.
Xavier took his seat at the head of the table, cool and unbothered. "I'm never late. The meeting simply started before I arrived."
Irene narrowed her eyes. "Then perhaps you'd like to explain this sudden real estate acquisition in the South District? Without board approval?"
A flicker of amusement touched his lips. "It's called initiative, Irene. You should try it sometime."
"We don't make decisions based on impulse," Malcolm muttered. "Your father may have allowed certain liberties, but—"
"My father isn't running this company anymore," Xavier cut in smoothly, his voice dropping an octave. "If we continue dragging our feet on every opportunity, we'll fall behind competitors already circling us like vultures."
The room fell silent for a moment.
"We just want clarity, Mr. Ashford," Lydia said calmly, trying to mediate. "You've been… more distracted lately."
His jaw flexed. "Everything is under control."
Whether they believed him or not didn't matter. The meeting eventually dissolved into cautious nods and murmured agreements. As they filed out, Xavier remained behind, staring out the wide glass windows of the boardroom, watching the city breathe beneath him.
In his office minutes later, he loosened his tie and leaned back in the chair.
He hadn't told them about her. He didn't plan to — not yet.
A soft knock at the door pulled him back to the present.
"Come in," he said.
Arielle, his poised and efficient secretary, peeked in. Her voice was calm, but there was a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. "Sir, your father is here. He's waiting in the lounge."
Xavier's expression didn't change. "Thank you. Send him in."
As Arielle stepped back out, he closed his eyes briefly and let out a breath.
Alistair Ashford never visited the office unless it was serious.
And Xavier already had a feeling he knew what this was about.