I forced myself to focus on the task at hand.
"Since you approved the plan, then why replace Lily Avery?" I asked, trying to steady my voice.
My mind was in turmoil. Alexander, head of The Blackwood Group, personally intervening in something as seemingly minor as this—it was baffling, and I wasn't ready to accept it.
"There's a reason," he said coldly, his tone clipped.
I bit my lip, frustration bubbling over.
"Since the founding of Éclat Beauty, I've managed everything. You've hardly ever interfered in its direction. A sudden replacement like this… shouldn't it have been discussed with me first?"
He straightened in his chair, crossing his legs. His gaze was indifferent, unreadable.
"Replace her with Lilian."
The name hit me like a thunderclap. I froze, trying to process the words.
"Replace her with… Liliana Summer?" I asked, my voice trembling with disbelief.
"Yes," he said without hesitation, tapping his fingers on the desk. "Lilian returned to develop her career in her home country. This brand endorsement is very important to her."
A chill ran through me. My chest felt icy, my heart heavy, every breath sharp with pain. I realized, with a sinking clarity, that I was no longer the one in control. My throat burned as a storm of emotions churned inside me.
"But… Miss Lilian's image doesn't align with the product's theme," I said carefully, keeping my voice steady despite the ache in my chest.
Lilian summer, internationally known for her cold elegant style didn't match our new product's requirements, but Alexander, remained unfazed. "This is your business, not mine," he said lightly. "I trust you to figure it out. This brand endorsement is crucial for Lilian. You'll oversee the entire process."
I felt numb. My face stiffened, as though I had been turned to stone. That familiar pain in my chest surged, only to be quickly suppressed.
He was placing so much faith in me… yet without hesitation, he handed over his first love, the woman who had once held his heart, and expected me to manage her as if she were simply another project. Alexander, did he really think I was so heartless I wouldn't suffer?
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to speak.
"All right. I'll do my best," I said, my voice hoarse, raw, as though shards of glass had lodged in my throat. Every word took every ounce of strength I had left.
I can do this. I have to.
It was just business. Arranging Lilian's brand endorsement, negotiating deals, coordinating the advertisement shoot—these were tasks I had handled countless times before. The difference now was the stakes were higher, the tension sharper, and every decision felt like a test of my strength.
I took a deep, steadying breath, letting it flow down to my core, calming the turmoil inside. My hand pressed gently against my abdomen, a silent promise. We'll get through this. I will protect you. I will not let this break me.
Straightening my shoulders, I wiped the last trace of tears from my face and met my reflection head-on. There was no room for hesitation. Every move I made from now on would be deliberate, precise, and unshakable.
Yes, it was just business—but business had never been this personal. And I would face it head-on, for the sake of Éclat Beauty, for the sake of the baby I carried, and for the piece of myself I refused to lose.
Back in the office, I immediately called Lily Avery's talent agent. I apologized calmly, explaining the situation, and arranged a smaller fragrance endorsement for Lily. I also assured her that Lily would be considered first for any future opportunities—enough to ease Rose Hayes' frustration.