Chapter 51 Emergency Meeting II
\-Celeste-
By the time I recovered, the boardroom had emptied.
I let out a small, shaky sigh, bracing myself to rise when Lucien walked in.
The moment I caught sight of him, tears rimmed my eyes and my vision blurred. His face was taut with concern.
“I heard.”
A lump formed in my throat. “I… I can’t.” I stuttered, shaking my head as my knees betrayed me. “I can’t do this, Lucien. I can’t be my father. I’m going to go see Grandmother. I’m not cut out for this—”
He stepped closer, his presence calming me only for a minuscule. “Hey. Calm down, okay?”
I shook my head again, the panic rising further. “I… I don’t know if I can. This—this is too much. I’m not ready.”
He reached out and took my hands, holding them tight. “Celeste, listen to me. You don’t have to be your father. You don’t have to carry all the answers right now. You just have to be yourself. One step at a time. And you are not alone.”
I let out a shaky breath. My chest tightened and, suddenly, the tears spilled freely. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. How did we even end up in this mess, I—”
He pressed a hand to my shoulder, steadying me. “You don’t have to face this storm alone. You just have to take the first step.”
I blinked rapidly, trying to focus. This wasn’t performing. His words were real, they grounded me, and for the first time in the chaos of the past hour, I felt a sliver of clarity.
“I… I need to see her,” I whispered.
He gave a small nod, releasing my hands but keeping his gaze locked on mine. “Right. I’ll be right here waiting for you.”
I swallowed hard and forced myself to rise again, knees still trembling.
Every step toward Grandmother’s office felt heavier than the last, but I walked on, determined to make her see reason, or at least try.
Just as I reached the door, it swung open and Lilith stepped out, letting it click shut behind her.
Her hands flew across her chest, face twisting into something sharper than jealousy. She sneered, scanning me like I was some rival she had long anticipated.
“Look at you,” she said, her voice dripping with false pity, “spilling crocodile tears like you weren’t dying for this. Pathetic… on you, Celeste.”
Then, almost impossibly, a tight, bitter smile curved up her lips. “Congratulations,” she added, voice low, envious, forced. “Try not to burn the company down, alright?”
She sharply brushed my shoulders, leaving me in the hallway.
I didn’t answer. I didn’t have the energy to. My legs still shook, my chest heavy with exhaustion.
I quietly wiped the new tears threatening to fall, then gently knocked on the door.
When I entered, Grandmother’s eyes were on me immediately. She didn’t say a word, but her eyes carried that sharp, assessing gaze I had known my entire life.
The one that had scrutinized every one of my decisions and decided they weren’t worth it. The one who made sure her approval was the only thing I needed.
God, I hated being in here. Even worse, I hated that I’d been dragged back into something I was trying to escape.
“Celeste,” she finally said, her voice calm but cutting, “I’m assuming the reason you’re here is to discuss with me as the new Vice President.”
I swallowed. “Not exactly, I wanted—”
“The board’s decision is final. I cannot go back on my words.” She firmly said like she’d anticipated this moment, like she could see what was going through my head.
I blinked rapidly, forcing back tears.
She continued, her tone controlled. “You’re overwhelmed. That’s understandable. But the Ashford Group doesn’t wait for readiness. Right now, we need resolve.”
She paused, letting it sink in.
“There’s a mob down there, calling us murderers, liars, and every vile name they can think of,” she said, her voice sharp but controlled. “The world is watching, Celeste. And they won’t wait for you to feel ready. You must act, decisively.”
My heart hammered in my chest, but Lucien’s voice was already forming in my head; you just have to take the first step.
I straightened, I forced a resolve.
“I… I’ll try, Grandmother,” I said, my voice barely a murmur. “I’ll act—”
She leaned back in her seat, her eyes slightly narrowing. “Trying is not enough. You must act. Lead. You will be tested, more than you’ve ever been tested in your life. Are you prepared for that?”
I swallowed again, my chest feeling tight, but I nodded. “Yes. I’ll do it.”
She gave a faint nod. “Then you will begin by learning everything you can about the current operations.”
My stomach twisted, but something inside me shifted. Fear still lingered, but now it mingled with determination. I could do this. I had to.
But she was barely done scaring me yet.
She leaned forward. “There’s a press conference in one hour. The world knows the scandal. Investors, employees, and the public demand answers. You will address them.”
My stomach twisted. “A p-press conference… now?” My eyes widened in shock.
“Yes. It’s only natural,” she said sternly, rising to her feet. “You have thirty minutes to put yourself together and come up with a speech. I expect clarity, authority, and confidence. You will not falter.”
I swallowed down a wave of panic,
She marched to the floor to ceiling window giving a view of the city, then briefly glanced at me before returning her gaze to the window.
“Get a suit from the emergency wardrobe. I expect that you'll behave appropriately from now on.”
I glanced at my jeans and shirt, then nodded like she was still watching.
“That will be all.” She murmured.
I didn’t leave immediately. I watched her. Her hand lightly rested against the glass, the other on her hip.
Her back was straight, but her fingers twitched ever so slightly. She turned sharply, voice firm: “Tell my secretary no visitors. Not now. I need focus.”
Even shaken, she was in control. If she could do that, so could I.
\---
An hour passed in a blink, and suddenly Lucien and I were walking toward the press room.
Grandmother’s secretary was already speaking on her behalf, and even though the words were a jumble of sounds, the chaos was palpable.
My heart rate spiked, my hands trembled slightly, but Lucien’s hands gave them a tight squeeze.
I faced him, he smiled reassuringly, “You’ve got this.”
I forced a small smile. “I’ve got this,” I whispered to myself.
But the moment I heard my name introduced as interim vice president, I broke into a cold sweat.
Too late, my legs were already carrying me toward the velvety blue backdrop and the stage podium.
Cameras flashed like lightning, and the murmurs of the crowd pressed against my chest.
My heart thudded in my throat. I straightened the shoulders of my suit, fingers brushing the microphone. The sharp feedback made me flinch.
I closed my eyes for a fraction of a second, drew a deep breath, and steadied myself. Then, lifting my chin, I spoke, voice surprisingly clear: “Good afternoon.”
The room fell silent, and I suddenly found the courage to speak.
“My name is Celeste Ashford, interim Vice President of Ashford Group.”
I glanced up at the sea of cameras and microphones, feeling every flash hammering against my chest.
“Twenty-five years ago, a tragedy occurred at our Line C facility in the energy division. Twenty lives were lost, and many more were affected. That happened under previous management, but I promise you this, Ashford Group is committed to transparency, accountability, and making sure nothing like that ever happens again.”
I drew in a sharp breath, letting it ground me.
“To that end, we are initiating a full review of all current facilities and safety protocols. We will strengthen whistle-blower protections for employees reporting unsafe conditions, and implement a compensation initiative for surviving workers and affected families.”
“My focus is on stabilizing the company and protecting our employees and stakeholders, while ensuring Ashford Group remains profitable and sustainable.”
I paused, letting the words settle.
Cameras flashed. Microphones jostled. The room murmured around me.
Then a voice pierced through the chaos, a reporter shouting,
“Ms. Ashford… what about your father?!”
Everything froze.
My jaw tightened. My stomach lurched.
The space fell silent, pens paused midair, waiting for one wrong word. I knew I didn’t have to answer, I had been told not to answer an uncomfortable question, but that would simply be avoidance.
I couldn’t start my leadership with avoidance.
I let out a small breath, I stared directly into the sea of reporters. I spoke.
“My father’s actions are under review, but my responsibility today is to the company, its employees, and its future. That is where my focus and my commitment lies.”