Chapter 91 New Day in Charge
Anna's POV
I woke up to the strange feeling that someone was watching me.
My eyes fluttered open.
For a brief second, I couldn't remember where I was. Then my gaze landed on the man sitting quietly beside my bed.
Xavier. He was dressed in an all-black tailored suit, one leg crossed over the other as he calmly sipped from a cup of coffee.
I blinked twice before sitting up. "I didn't hear you come in."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "That's because I didn't want you to."
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and leaned against the headboard. "So... you're leaving."
He nodded once. "I am."
There was an unusual calmness in his voice, one that almost sounded... reluctant.
He placed the coffee cup on the bedside table. "I was told you handled the banquet very well after I left."
"I did my best."
"I know." He held my gaze. "And that's very nice of you. Keep it up."
I studied him for a moment.
He looked perfectly composed, yet somehow distant.
The memory of last night resurfaced. Lucas. "Have you decided what you're going to do about Lucas?"
His expression barely changed. "Nothing for you to worry about."
I frowned. "That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you're getting."
Before I could argue further, he leaned forward and gently kissed my forehead.
The gesture caught me completely off guard.
He began to pull away. Instinctively, I reached for the collar of his jacket.
He stopped. Our eyes met. Without giving myself time to think, I pulled him back and kissed him.
When I finally let go, I whispered, "Stay safe."
For a brief second, the ruthless crime lord disappeared.
He smiled. "I will."
He stood, adjusted his cuffs and walked toward the door.
Just before stepping outside, he glanced back at me. "Don't let anyone intimidate you while I'm away."
"I'll try."
"No." He shook his head. "Don't try." He smiled again. "Make them regret trying to intimidate you."
With that, he walked out. The door clicked shut.
I stared at it for several seconds. Then I slowly lay back on the bed.
Sleep refused to come. Instead, my thoughts kept circling around the same thing.
Xavier had left an empire behind in my hands. I eventually gave up trying to sleep.
I got out of bed, headed into the bathroom and stood beneath the warm shower until the water eased some of the tension in my shoulders.
After drying off, I chose a cream-colored blouse and a pair of black trousers. They looked formal enough without trying too hard.
I tied my hair into a neat ponytail and left the room.
The moment I stepped into the hallway, two maids hurried over. "Good morning, ma'am."
"Good morning."
"What would you like for breakfast?"
I thought for a second. "Something light."
"Very well, ma'am. We'll serve it in the dining room."
"Thank you." They bowed slightly before leaving.
I continued walking through the mansion.
It felt strangely peaceful. Almost like the silence that settled over the sky before a thunderstorm.
The absence of Xavier's commanding presence could be felt everywhere.
No guards rushing through the corridors. No urgent meetings. No loud voices.
I had barely reached the living room when the front door opened.
A young woman stepped inside. She couldn't have been much older than me.
She wore an elegant black suit with matching heels and carried a leather folder against her chest.
I had never seen her before.
She walked confidently toward me before stopping a respectful distance away.
She bowed slightly. "Good morning, Mrs. Anna."
I nodded politely. "Good morning."
"My name is Lilly." She straightened. "Mr. Xavier assigned me to assist you while he's away. My duty is to ensure your management runs as smoothly as possible."
I smiled. "I hope you're as useful as Eve was."
"I'll certainly do my best."
Something about her confidence reminded me of Eve.
The comparison made my chest tighten for a moment.
I pushed the thought aside. "Come. Join me for breakfast."
"It would be my pleasure." We walked together into the dining room.
The maids had already prepared the table.
Fresh fruits, toast, eggs and coffee.
Everything looked far too elegant for what I considered breakfast.
I sat first. Lilly waited until I picked up my fork before doing the same.
After a few bites, I looked across the table. "So tell me." She looked up. "How exactly am I supposed to manage Xavier's business when I don't even know where to start?"
She smiled politely. "That's precisely why Mr. Xavier assigned me to you."
I raised an eyebrow.
"My responsibility is to organize your schedule, arrange your meetings and explain the objectives behind each engagement."
I nodded slowly. "So... do we have anything planned today?"
"We do."
"What is it?"
"In less than an hour, the capos will arrive."
I nearly dropped my fork. "They're coming here?"
"Yes."
"What for?"
"They're expecting you to address them."
I stared at her. "Address them about what?"
"The purpose of today's meeting is to hear their challenges, evaluate ongoing operations and help devise solutions where necessary."
I let out a slow breath. "So let me guess." She smiled knowingly. "Most of their problems involve getting away with crimes... or planning new ones."
Lilly chuckled. "You say that as though you'd rather not help them at all."
"That's Xavier's specialty."
"And now it's yours."
"I don't think so."
"He believes otherwise."
I rested my elbows lightly on the table. "Or maybe he just wants me to become more like him."
Lilly smiled without answering. After a brief silence, I sighed.
"The capos barely tolerate me. Yesterday was different because it was a banquet. Today they'll actually challenge me."
"They probably will."
"Then tell me." I leaned forward. "How do I handle them?"
Lilly folded her hands neatly together. "It's actually very simple."
"I'm listening."
"Make them look like fools."
I blinked. "What?"
"If they ask foolish questions, expose the flaws in their thinking. If they argue emotionally, answer logically. If they try to test your authority, make them question their own."
She smiled. "The moment you make powerful men realize they've been outsmarted, they'll begin respecting you."
I leaned back in my chair. "I think Xavier appointed the wrong person. He should have appointed you.
She laughed softly.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because he trained me to be an assistant." She placed a hand lightly against her chest. "I organize leaders." She pointed toward me. "I was never trained to become one."
I studied her for a long moment. Then a thought crossed my mind. I folded my arms. "Lilly..."
"Yes?"
"Did you know Eve?"