Chapter 141 141

Chapter 141 141
Ashley POV

The rest of the meeting went by in a blur. I still remembered some parts of that meeting over lunch with Jared. Still, I was so wrapped up in wanting to hear what he thought about my performance that I couldn't care less about what might actually be important information. He kept reassuring me that I was doing well, but I kept overthinking myself as I headed back to headquarters and visited every floor to announce my Dad's resignation and his replacement - myself. I was beyond exhausted after everything was done and almost fell asleep once I got into the car.

But that was when my cell phone started buzzing.

"Straight home?" David asked.

Shaking my head, I read the message on my phone. "Stop by the Starry Sky Entertainment building."

"Shouldn't you rest today? You can meet Jayden another time."

"I will be fine," I lied.

After all, it was not Jayden who sent the message to me.



"We are here."

I had not even realized that I had fallen asleep on the way to the Starry Sky Entertainment building. Yawning, I checked my makeup through my phone's front camera. It did not look perfect though, but at least it was still better than what I expected after my drool dripped on the seat during David's thirty-minute drive.

After thanking David and assuring him that I would call him later, I stepped out of the car. The humid mid-August heat wrapped my body like a thick blanket, and the smell of warm asphalt, cigarette smoke, and vehicle smoke hit my nose instantly. It took me a while to adjust - partly because I had just arrived, and partly because I had forgotten that the company had moved buildings since the last time I was there. The new building was darker and nondescript, and I could not even find an entrance that did not lead to one of the other companies on the ground floor that was obviously not related to Starry Sky Entertainment.

Several pairs of eyes glanced at me curiously as I paced up and down the sidewalk for the fifth time. Feeling exposed where I stood, and more than slightly foolish, I reached for my cell phone - just in time for it to be buzzing inside my purse.

"I'm outside," I blurted out, rubbing the back of my neck. "I have been trying to find a way in for a while now."

The low, husky, almost flat male voice replies in a monotone, "Are you on a two-way street or a one-way street?"

"The former."

"Go to the one-way street. There is an entrance right around the corner if you keep going."

"Okay..." I followed his instructions, and eventually found the entrance.

"Did you find it?"

"Yes," I replied as I approached the double glass doors. "Are those doors locked? Do I need some sort of code?"

"What time is it?"

"Umm." I checked my phone briefly. "It's almost six in the afternoon."

"Then yes, probably. But don't worry. I'm on my way."

"Oh, okay."

He hung up the call without answering again. Putting my phone into my purse, I grimaced as I looked down at my heels. The balls of my feet were scorching, even hotter than before David came to pick me up, not to mention my stomach was starting to growl. During lunch, I had been really hectic - both checking my performance during the board of council meetings with the board, as well as discussing the upcoming meetings with the directors and lower-level heads of management. Only now, after everything was done, did my brain calm down enough to start caring about my biological needs like food and sleep.

Maybe I should have listened to David. I should have gone home to rest and recharge for a busy day at the Red Moon Inc. headquarters. Maybe I should have listened to the whispers of Leah, my wolf, who told me to read more about the company to relieve stress.

But once I saw Miles' somewhat familiar figure on the other side of the closed door, I was glad I decided to come.

"Hey."

"Hi," I greeted.

His sharp, unreadable dark eyes were almost completely hidden between the brim of his black bucket hat and the face mask he was also wearing. The contrast between the ripped jeans, dark T-shirt, and casual sneakers... made me feel like my outfit looked absolutely ridiculous. I felt more than just a little nervous as he looked me over from head to toe twice, before finally gesturing for me to follow him inside.

The lobby was cozy and well-lit. The two receptionists did not even look up from their computers when he entered through the second door, but as soon as my heels hit the floor, they looked up. I was getting more and more uneasy with my appearance and felt the need to give an explanation as soon as we entered the elevator.

"I came straight from the office," I said briskly as I stared at the elevator floor. "That is why I look like this."

"'Office'?"

His startled tone reminded me - that I had not yet had the chance to tell Jayden that I was filling in for my Dad. I had been too swamped that weekend... and too stressed. Slapping my face inwardly, I tried to smile tensely as I reminded myself to call him as soon as I had time.

"My dad fainted a few days ago," I said in a tone that I hoped sounded casual. "It was nothing dangerous, but the doctor wants him hospitalized for a few days to test for an incurable heart disease."

"What does that have to do with you being in what I consider to be your family's company?"

The way Miles asked was quite blunt, one could even say harsh, but his tone remained gentle. As I glanced at him, his sharp eyes were filled with nothing but sympathy.

I scratched my arm. "The doctor said it was very likely that my Dad had the disease. So, my mom asked me to step forward from now on."

"You are joking."

"Unfortunately, no." I flashed a faint smile. "You are looking at the new head of Red Moon Incorporation."

His eyes widened in shock, slightly incredulous. "What about the engagement thing?" he asked. "Don't you have to be married to Jayden to inherit the company?"

"I do," I replied. "But that doesn't mean that I can't run the company anyway."

At least that was what I could figure out from Mom's lengthy explanation of the legal aspects of Red Moon Inc. Even though my late grandfather's company technically had no current owner, but - my Dad was able to own and maintain his position as CEO because he was continuously elected by the board of executives - the people in charge of each business unit under Red Moon Inc.

In my opinion, it was a fair system because it was based on democracy. But mom was not fond of it, because it meant that I had to get their votes too - or marry Jayden who was practically a Keller.

That was the main reason why I was so stressed to make a good impression. On the other hand, I could not marry Jayden before knowing quite a lot about Jared and his secret. On the other hand, the longer I delayed the wedding, the longer I would have to fight for the approval of the board of directors - and risk someone else being elected as the CEO of Red Moon Inc.

No doubt, they had all seemed pretty friendly when I had met them before, even greeting me warmly. But I knew I could not just trust them. Even though they had served my dad - some had even worked under my grandfather - that did not mean they would accept me as well. And I could not blame them. Eva and Miles had doubted me - to be frank, I still doubted myself a lot. I would doubt myself even more if I were in the position of one of the council.

Now, even if I was not elected in the annual election meeting every September, my legacy rights to Red Moon Inc. would not be lost. But I would still have to watch someone else run the company that my grandfather left behind, and for which my dad sacrificed his health, for an entire year.

I won't just sit idly by. That was why I had made it this far.

"So, you and Jayden are back together?"

"Yes," I replied, smiling slightly. "And it was all thanks to you."

Something in his eyes had changed. I frowned, noticing that he quickly averted his gaze. A small movement behind his mask showed he was about to say something just as the elevator stopped and the doors opened.