"Good morning, ma'am."
Lynn rose from her seat the moment Samantha entered the dining room. Her voice was steady, respectful, as always.
Samantha's sleek hair, straight and impossibly soft, fell down her back like a dark river. The simple movement of her walking made strands shimmer under the morning light. She wore a tailored dress in a soft cream shade, cinched at the waist, her elegance quiet but commanding.
She sat behind the long glass dining table, its surface gleaming, catching the sunlight in fractured reflections. Her phone rested by her side, screen face-down, when Lynn approached with her tablet in hand.
"Is Jake not coming down for breakfast?" Samantha asked, reaching for her coffee.
"Actually, no, ma'am," Lynn replied. "He left early for the office. There was work he insisted on finishing before today's board session."
Samantha gave a faint nod, though her eyes flickered toward the tablet Lynn held out. On its glowing screen, bold letters stretched across the top of a newsfeed:
CEO of Elevate Strategic Group: Shelly Monroe's Public Humiliation Sparks Global Reaction. Expansion Gala Pushes Elevate into Historic Growth Surge.
The words scrolled into Samantha's gaze like headlines carved into stone. Lynn handed the tablet over, and Samantha began reading with calm precision.
Social media clips from last night's gala dominated the screen—Shelly's removal replayed endlessly, Samantha's words captured and reposted with captions that screamed power.
In the comments section, voices flooded in:
@ForbesGlobal: "Samantha Bradley proves again why she's the sharpest mind in tech."
@TechInsider: "Shelly Monroe underestimated the wrong woman. Elevate just secured its legacy."
@CivicWatchdog: "Public humiliation isn't leadership. This could backfire."
@BusinessDaily: "Love her or hate her, Samantha Bradley knows how to control a room. And a market."
@livelaughLUXE: "Omg, Samantha's aura is unreal. That moment? Iconic."
@investorsdigest: "This move sets a dangerous precedent. But markets clearly love it."
The mixture was sharp, both praise and critique, but one thing was undeniable—the world was talking about her.
Samantha scrolled slowly, then set the tablet down on the glass table.
Her phone rang. The caller ID made her lips soften: Mr. Steve Bradley. Her father.
She picked it up. "Hi, Dad," she said, her voice gentler than the one she used for the world.
"You did well, my dear," came the deep, steady voice of Mr. Bradley. "The board trusted you with this project not just because you're my daughter, but because you've proven yourself a leader. What I saw last night confirmed that. I'm proud of you."
Samantha's shoulders eased, though her spine remained straight. "I can never let you down this time, Dad."
"When are you returning to Australia?" he asked.
Samantha's eyes shifted to the horizon, the city skyline painted gold by the morning sun. "Not yet," she said with a faint smile. "I have something important here. Something I need to finish—aside from Elevate's management."
A pause. Then his voice, firm but fatherly: "If it matters to you, it matters to me. Just don't let the Carters hurt you again. Promise me that."
"I promise."
"I love you, Samantha."
"I love you too, Dad," she said, her voice barely above a whisper before the call ended.
For a moment, she sat still, holding the phone, her father's words echoing in her chest. Then she stood, her heels sharp against the polished floor.
"Have you heard from Nadia?" she asked Lynn.
"Yes, ma'am. She accepted our offer. She's scheduled for her first interview with you at 7 a.m."
"Good," Samantha said, slipping her Dior bag over her arm.
The chauffeur was already waiting when she stepped into the morning light. The reflection of the rising sun wrapped her like a crown as the car door opened and closed behind her.
*****
---
The boardroom doors slid open with a quiet hiss.
Applause filled the air immediately. Executives rose from their seats, some clapping politely, others with genuine admiration. Jake stood among them, his eyes steady as Samantha walked in. Her steps were deliberate, heels clicking against marble, each one a reminder that she owned this space.
"Let's begin," Samantha said simply, taking her place at the head of the long glass table. Lynn stood ready at her side, remote in hand.
The presentation flickered onto the digital wall. Graphs, numbers, markets.
"From the events of last night," Lynn began, her tone professional, "Elevate's projected valuation has surged by over three billion dollars within six hours. The expansion project has caught the attention of companies across Asia, Europe, and Africa. Multiple African ministries have already requested preliminary contracts for joint innovation programs."
A murmur of approval swept across the executives.
Jake leaned forward. "We anticipated growth, but this pace—this is leverage. Elevate can now dictate the terms of entry into entire markets."
Samantha nodded slightly, her fingers tapping against the glass table. Everything was unfolding the way she had calculated.
The door opened suddenly.
Heads turned. Nadia rushed in, breathless, clutching her bag. She was late.
"I'm so sorry," Nadia said, still panting. "Traffic—"
Samantha turned her head slowly, her gaze sharp enough to silence the room.
"Have your seat," Samantha said, her voice low but cutting. "And make sure this does not repeat itself."
Nadia froze, then hurried to sit, cheeks flushed.
She spotted Jake across the table, gave a small wave. Jake nodded politely, but Lynn cleared her throat in warning. The sound carried more weight than words.
"Continue," Samantha told Lynn, not breaking stride.
"As I was saying," Lynn continued, "our data analysts confirm that Elevate's influence has set new benchmarks in tech innovation. Strategic alliances are being proposed in markets where Elevate previously had no footing. This is more than expansion—it's dominance."
Applause followed as the presentation concluded.
---
One by one, the executives rose, exchanging handshakes and words of congratulations before leaving the boardroom. The sound of footsteps and murmurs faded until only Samantha, Nadia, and Lynn remained.
Samantha stayed seated, eyes fixed on the view outside the towering windows.
"Lynn, give us a moment," she said.
Lynn bowed her head slightly and left, the door sliding shut behind her.
Silence.
Nadia fidgeted, waiting.
Finally, Samantha spoke. "Nadia." Her voice carried no warmth, only authority. "You're here to represent Elevate. That means appearance, punctuality, and discipline. What you wore today—" her eyes flicked over Nadia's outfit briefly— "doesn't meet the standard. Elevate commands respect. Next time, dress like it."
Nadia swallowed hard, nodding quickly. "Yes, ma'am."
Samantha rose gracefully, gathering her folder. She stopped just as she reached the door, her words deliberate.
"HR will brief you on your role. And," she added, without turning, "they'll also hand you the keys to your new company car. You'll need it."
Nadia's eyes widened. She opened her mouth to speak, but Samantha was already walking out, heels echoing across the marble floor.
The door shut behind her.
Nadia remained alone, staring at the table, heart pounding. The weight of Samantha Bradley's expectations pressed down on her. And yet… the glimmer of opportunity was undeniable.