Chapter 294: Twenty-Three Years of Debt

Chapter 294: Twenty-Three Years of Debt

A week flew by in the blink of an eye. Michael had found a suitable candidate for the CEO position—a middle-aged woman named Clementine Bennett, who had entrepreneurial experience and four years as a COO under her belt.

When Clementine arrived for the interview, she was dressed sharply in a charcoal gray suit that exuded authority. Her hair was cut in a no-nonsense bob just above her shoulders, and though her frame was slightly full, her eyes gleamed with shrewd intelligence.

"I see from your résumé that you worked at a foreign trade company for twelve years, serving as COO for four of those years," Sophia began. "Can you briefly explain why you left your previous position?"

Clementine sat upright, hands folded neatly in her lap, yet her demeanor radiated calm confidence. Her response was articulate and well-structured. "There were two main reasons I left my last company.

"First, strategic disagreement. The executive team decided to shift our business focus toward emerging overseas markets. However, after careful evaluation, I concluded that our team structure and resources were not ready for such an aggressive expansion. Rushing forward would only increase the risk of losses. I proposed postponing the plan and suggested optimizing our internal processes first, but my recommendation was ultimately rejected.

"Second, a values conflict. I was the only woman on the executive team. When the strategic disagreement arose, several colleagues dismissed my concerns by claiming that 'women don't understand business as well as men.' What I found even more unacceptable than having my expertise questioned was the blatant gender discrimination."

Sophia's lips curved into an intrigued smile. She seemed quite pleased with this answer. "Your recommendation to postpone was rejected. What was the final outcome of that project?"

Clementine's expression remained neutral, devoid of personal emotion as she stated the facts. "Six months later, the new market losses exceeded projections, and the CEO who had insisted on pushing forward resigned in disgrace. Unfortunately, the damage was already done."

Sophia nodded slowly, satisfied. "Please step outside for a moment. We'll deliberate and let you know the result in ten minutes."

"Of course. Thank you." Clementine maintained her poised, dignified manner throughout—whether sitting or standing, her bearing was graceful and self-assured.

As the glass door of the conference room closed softly behind her, Sophia glanced at the board members seated on either side of her. "Gentlemen, if anyone has concerns, now's the time to voice them."

"I have no objections," Billy spoke up first. "It's clear you're impressed with her, Ms. Johnson, and your judgment has never been wrong. I trust she can manage the company well."

"Agreed," another director chimed in. "Looking at her résumé, even though her previous role was COO, she has a business school degree, plus extensive work and management experience. I see no issue with appointing her as CEO."

The other board members echoed similar sentiments. Sophia smiled and nodded. "Then it's settled. We'll hire her."

Tony ushered Clementine back into the room. Sophia tapped her pen lightly against the résumé twice.

"Vertex Innovations Group has a strong track record when it comes to protecting women's rights. You should find it a pleasant place to work."

She lifted her gaze to meet Clementine's questioning eyes and smiled warmly. "You're hired. Can you start tomorrow?"

"Absolutely." Clementine's smile widened, her eyes shining with quiet confidence.

"Excellent. Tony will show you around the office in a moment. Report for duty first thing tomorrow morning." Sophia gave Tony a subtle signal, which he instantly understood. He led Clementine out to tour the facilities.

The board members gradually filed out as well.

Once they were alone, Sophia shifted her attention to Michael, who had been listening quietly throughout. "You have a good eye for talent. Clementine meets all the requirements. I can confidently entrust her with this responsibility."

Michael walked over and leaned against the table. "You're officially handing over all CEO duties to Clementine tomorrow. Does that mean you can finally take a long vacation?"

"Not yet." Sophia closed her notebook and rose to her feet, smoothing down her skirt. "The 5S chip launch is the day after tomorrow. Once I've dealt with Wilton, then I can take that long break to handle... personal matters."

Michael's eyes darkened momentarily, though his face remained gentle and composed. He changed the subject. "What do you want for lunch?"

"Let's just grab something in the company cafeteria." Sophia walked around the table and, unusually for her, took the initiative to wrap her arms around his waist and nestle into his chest like a small cat seeking comfort. "Michael, do you think—"

Before she could finish her question, Michael hooked one arm around her waist and kissed her, swallowing her words in the warm, soft press of his lips.

Her pupils dilated in surprise. The sudden kiss knocked the breath out of her. She pushed him away slightly, just enough to gasp for air.

"What are you doing?!" She glared at him with wounded indignation. It wasn't like him to be so inappropriate at work—to display such overt intimacy in a professional setting.

This was a conference room, not her private office. Someone could walk in at any moment. And there were two security cameras recording from the corners.

Michael gazed down at her flustered expression and couldn't help but smile. "Baby, I need to ask you something."

Sophia's irritation shifted to confusion. Something about Michael's mood felt off. "Go ahead."

"Could you..." Michael's eyes gradually dimmed, though his tone remained deadly serious. "Not go there anymore?"

Sophia froze.

He'd guessed her plan.

Even though she'd never mentioned it, he knew exactly what she intended to do.

"It's too dangerous. If something like last time happens again..." Michael couldn't bring himself to finish. He didn't dare imagine that outcome.

The large hands circling Sophia's waist trembled slightly. She could feel, viscerally, how terrified Michael was of losing her.

Truthfully, the events at the Jennings family estate sometimes felt like a dream to her too—a hazy, surreal memory.

The dangerous, thrilling escape. If she'd been one step slower, she might have vanished from this world forever.

But still...

"But," she said after a long silence, finally finding her voice, "this is what I owe Andrew."

Lately, she'd been thinking—she had so many people who loved her, yet perhaps none of them could do what Andrew had done for her.

If Michael had been the first to burst into that room, he would have rationally gotten her out first, then slowly calmed her down afterward.

If John had been first, he probably would have gleefully dragged her deeper into hell—or created an even bigger scene to divert attention elsewhere.

If it had been Amelia or Wayne, they likely would have been too frightened to approach her in that state, only able to help with damage control after the fact...

When she really thought about it, not a single one of them would have done what Andrew did—seized the knife from her hand without hesitation, shouldering all the consequences, sacrificing decades of hard-won reputation in the business world.

"This is what I owe him." Sophia's expression grew weary, her voice soft and distant. "I've owed him for twenty-three years."