Chapter 111 Chapter 111
Chapter 111
The elevator doors opened to the executive floor, and the entire atmosphere carried a sharper sense of urgency. The staff had been preparing since early morning. Assistants moved in and out of offices with tablets and files, whispering updates to each other while trying not to create chaos. Today’s meeting wasn’t ordinary. Everyone knew it.
Celine walked behind Ethan, holding a folder pressed carefully against her chest. She kept her posture straight, her steps steady, but her mind was louder than the hallway they walked through. The scent of his cologne reached her every time he slowed slightly or turned to give an instruction. She hated that she noticed those little things.
“Conference room ready?” Ethan asked without turning.
“Yes, sir. Presentation files are already set. Financial summary printed. Legal team confirmed attendance,” she replied smoothly.
He gave a short nod, satisfied.
Inside the boardroom, several executives were already seated. The large screen displayed charts and investment projections. Chairs shifted as people adjusted their seats, preparing for the arrival of the guest investor. Celine placed Ethan’s documents neatly in front of his chair, aligning the pen beside it out of habit.
A few minutes later, the glass doors opened again.
The woman who walked in immediately pulled attention toward her without asking for it. She wore a fitted wine-colored suit that complimented her tall figure. Her long dark hair fell down her back in smooth waves, and her heels clicked confidently across the polished floor. She carried herself like someone who had never doubted her place in any room she entered.
“This must be Mr. Ethan Castellan,” she said, her voice warm and rich with a soft Venezuelan accent.
Ethan stood to greet her, extending his hand. “Welcome, Miss Valeria Montoya.”
Valeria smiled, her fingers sliding into his handshake with ease. “Please, call me Valeria.”
Her gaze lingered on him a little longer than necessary before she took her seat beside him rather than across the table where the seat had been arranged. Several executives exchanged quick glances but stayed quiet.
Celine noticed it instantly.
She remained standing near the side table, pretending to check the presentation slides, but her eyes kept drifting back to them.
Valeria leaned slightly closer to Ethan as the meeting started. “I’ve read your company reports. You run things very differently from most executives your age,” she said.
Ethan maintained his calm business expression. “Different doesn’t always mean better.”
“It does in your case,” Valeria replied with a playful smile.
Celine’s fingers tightened slightly around the remote she was holding. She told herself she was reacting because she was Ethan’s assistant and needed to stay alert. That was all. Nothing else.
The meeting continued with financial breakdowns, projected partnerships, and long discussions about expansion into South American markets. Valeria contributed confidently, asking detailed questions that showed she had studied every aspect of Ethan’s company before arriving. She praised several of his strategies openly, making sure her compliments were heard across the table.
“You built this structure with long-term stability in mind. Most investors rush for quick profit, but you plan like someone who expects to stay in power for decades,” she said, looking directly at him.
Ethan simply nodded. “Sustainability builds stronger returns.”
Valeria smiled again, shifting her chair slightly closer to his. “And stronger influence.”
Celine looked down at her notes, forcing herself to stay focused on recording meeting minutes. But every time she heard Valeria’s voice soften when speaking to Ethan, something uncomfortable settled in her stomach. She couldn’t name the feeling, and that annoyed her more.
At one point, Valeria asked, “Does your team always follow your lead this efficiently?”
“Yes,” Ethan replied.
Valeria glanced toward Celine. “Your assistant is impressive. She hasn’t missed a single update since I arrived.”
Celine lifted her eyes briefly. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“She’s very quiet,” Valeria added, still smiling.
“She speaks when necessary,” Ethan said, his tone neutral.
The conversation moved forward again, but Celine felt strangely exposed, like she had been pulled into a spotlight she never asked for. She focused harder on her notes, refusing to let her emotions show.
As the meeting reached the final agenda, Valeria leaned toward Ethan again, lowering her voice slightly though everyone could still hear her.
“I believe our partnership could go beyond simple contracts,” she said.
Several executives shifted awkwardly, unsure if she meant business or something else. Ethan remained expressionless.
“We’ll evaluate proposals based on company benefit,” he replied calmly.
Valeria laughed softly. “You’re very disciplined.”
“That’s part of my job.”
Celine felt her pen pause mid-sentence. She stared at the paper for a second before forcing herself to continue writing.
Ethan suddenly closed the folder in front of him. “That concludes the official board discussion for today.”
He turned slightly toward the rest of the team. “You may all excuse us. Miss Montoya and I will continue reviewing investment details privately.”
Celine froze for a split second.
The other executives began gathering their documents immediately. Chairs scraped gently across the floor as they stood. Celine organized her files quickly, keeping her face blank. She didn’t know why the idea of leaving Ethan alone with Valeria made her chest twist slightly.
She stood, waiting for Ethan’s usual instruction, but he didn’t look at her. He was already turning toward Valeria, opening another set of documents.
“Celine, distribute the revised meeting summary before closing hours,” he said without lifting his head.
“Yes, sir,” she answered.
Her voice sounded steady, and she was grateful for that.
She walked out with the others, her heels echoing lightly along the hallway. Once the conference room doors closed behind her, she released a slow breath she didn’t realize she had been holding.
Back at her desk, she placed the files down carefully and began typing the meeting summary. Her fingers moved quickly across the keyboard. She focused on numbers, schedules, and legal terms. Anything that stopped her mind from replaying how close Valeria had been sitting beside Ethan.
She paused halfway through typing, staring at the screen blankly.
Why did it bother her?
It was business. Ethan met investors all the time. Some of them were men, some were women. It never affected her before. She shook her head slightly and resumed typing.
Hours passed as she finalized documents, emailed departments, and handled scheduling adjustments. She avoided stepping anywhere near the conference room again. Around 5:45 p.m., she printed the final summary and placed it neatly inside Ethan’s office tray.
By exactly 6 p.m., she shut down her computer.
She stared at Ethan’s empty desk for a moment, debating whether to wait or leave. He hadn’t called for her again. That meant her duties were done.
Celine picked up her handbag and left quietly.
Inside the conference room, Ethan and Valeria were still discussing market logistics. Valeria remained relaxed, leaning comfortably in her chair as she spoke about Venezuelan industry opportunities. She laughed occasionally, adding personal remarks about business culture and lifestyle overseas.
“You should visit Caracas someday,” she said. “You’d enjoy the environment there.”
“I’ll consider it if the partnership expands,” Ethan replied.
“You’re very difficult to read, Mr. Castellan”
“I prefer keeping business clear.”
Valeria studied him with interest. “You don’t mix business with pleasure?”
“No.”
Her smile grew slightly. “That makes you more interesting.”
Ethan closed the final document. “I’ll have my legal team draft the preliminary agreement tomorrow.”
Valeria stood slowly. “I look forward to working with you.”
They shook hands again before she left the room. Ethan watched the door close behind her, then gathered his files and headed toward his office.
By the time he reached the executive hallway, most staff had already gone home. The floor was quieter now, with only a few lights left on.
He stepped into his office and loosened his tie slightly before placing his documents on his desk. His eyes moved automatically towards Celine’s workspace.
Her chair was empty.
Her computer screen was off. The small plant she kept near the monitor stood untouched, its leaves still neat and bright. The meeting summary file sat perfectly aligned on his tray, exactly the way she always arranged it before leaving.
Ethan walked closer, resting his hand lightly against the edge of his desk as he stared at her empty chair for a moment longer than he expected.
He picked up the summary and flipped through the pages. Every detail was recorded accurately. Every instruction he gave during the meeting had been followed.
He closed the file slowly and placed it back down.
The office remained quiet around him.
He adjusted his cuffs, turning back toward his desk, but his gaze shifted once more toward the space where she usually sat.
Then he returned to his chair and resumed reviewing the documents in front of him.
The e
xecutive floor lights began shutting off section by section as staff completed closing procedures, leaving only the soft glow from his office still on.