I forced myself to focus on the matter at hand.
"Since you approved the proposal, why replace Lily Avery?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady.
My thoughts were in chaos. Alexander Blackwood—the man who controlled an empire—had personally stepped in over something as ordinary as a brand endorsement. It made no sense.
"There's a reason," he said coldly.
The short reply only fueled the frustration burning inside me.
"And what is it?" I asked, trying not to snap. "Since Éclat Beauty was founded, I've handled everything myself. You've never interfered in the company's direction before. If you wanted to replace the spokesperson so suddenly, shouldn't you have discussed it with me first?"
Alexander leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs lazily, as if this conversation bored him.
"Replace her with Lilian."
The world seemed to stop. For a moment, I thought I had misheard him.
"Replace her with... Lilian? As in Lilian Summer?" My voice came out thin and strained.
"Yes." He tapped his fingers lightly against the desk. "Lilian has returned to build her career here. This endorsement is important to her."
Every trace of warmth drained from my body.
So that was the reason.
Not the company. Not the product. Not strategy.
Lilian.
Even after all these years, the moment she needed something, he moved without hesitation.
I clenched my fingers so tightly my nails dug into my palm.
"But Miss Lilian's image doesn't match the product concept," I said carefully.
Lilian Summer was famous for her cold, distant elegance. Our new product was designed to feel youthful, soft, and romantic. She was the wrong fit in every possible way.
Alexander remained unmoved.
"That's your business, not mine," he said lightly. "I trust you to solve it."
Then, after a pause, he added, "This endorsement matters to Lilian. You'll personally oversee everything."
The last bit of strength inside me nearly shattered.
He trusted me.
Trusted me to build opportunities for the woman he once loved.
Trusted me to stand there smiling while helping her shine.
Did he really think I was made of stone? Or did he simply not care enough to wonder if I would hurt?
My throat tightened painfully.
"Alright," I said at last. The words scraped out of me like broken glass. "I'll do my best."
He gave a small nod, already reaching for another document as if I no longer existed. The conversation was over.
And so was I.
I walked out of his office without knowing how I reached the elevator. The moment the doors closed, my legs nearly gave out.
I pressed a trembling hand against my abdomen, breathing carefully.
"It's okay," I whispered. "I'm here."
I didn't know whether I was comforting the baby… or myself.
After several moments, I straightened my back and wiped away the tears threatening to fall.
No one would see me broken.
Not Alexander.
Not Lilian.
Not anyone.
Back in my office, I called Lily Avery's agent personally and arranged compensation with calm professionalism. I secured a smaller fragrance campaign for her and promised priority consideration for future projects.
My tone never faltered once.
Only I knew my fingers were shaking the entire time.
"Director Alicia... Miss Lilian Summer's agent is on the phone, they want to discuss the collaboration."
My blood ran cold.
They've started taking action far sooner than I expected. Either that, or Alexander had already informed them in advance. The only reason he bothered to tell me was so that I could help ensure everything went smoothly for Lilian's campaign.