The next morning, everything felt calm and usual. Alex sat behind his huge desk. He was looking at his laptop, his face totally expressionless. He was wearing an expensive dark gray suit looking like a king who owned the whole world, but there was a visible tension in his jaw line.
Elena sat at her respective desk, three feet away from him, separated by the thick black marker line she had drawn on the floor. Her fingers were flying across her keyboard. She was managing his calendar, replying to his emails, and sorting his files. She was acting like a perfect personal secretary.
But her mind was working like a machine.
Her face was calmer than usual. It was so completely smooth and peaceful that it was making Alex feel like something was very fishy. He could clearly feel that she knew something he didn't know, and that silent thought was making him go crazy with frustration. He hated when he couldn't read her mind.
Elena was currently too busy with her paperwork that she didn't even bother to look up at her fuming boss. She completely ignored his sharp glares. Suddenly, Elena got up from her chair and adjusted her blazer. She turned around and was about to walk towards the office exit, but a deep, angry voice from behind stopped her dead in her tracks.
"Where are you going, Ms. Vane?" Alex questioned her, his voice dropping to a dangerous level. "Did I give you permission to move from your desk?"
Elena stopped. Under her desk, out of his sight, she made a tight fist. It was a strong physical reaction to control her explosive emotions and hide her real feelings. She took a slow breath, turned back toward him, and plastered a forced, sweet smile on her face.
"It is exactly 12:00 PM, Mr. Valois," Elena said simply.
She stood there, thinking that he would easily get the hint. But Alex didn't have any idea about what she was talking about. He just leaned back in his chair, narrowed his eyes, and said, "So what?"
Elena sighed deeply, letting her shoulders drop for a micro-second before she explained, "Coffee time, Mr. Valois. You always drink your black coffee at this exact hour, so I was going to the executive kitchen to grab a fresh cup of coffee for you."
Alex's thick brows twitched for a split second. He felt a wave of annoyance because he didn't even get a single chance to irritate her or scold her since morning. He wanted her to snap, but she was playing it completely cool nowadays. Elena had now learnt his psychology perfectly to be honest, she had masterd it . She knew that her anger and aggressiveness would only make him feel a sick pleasure and satisfaction. She refused to give him that victory. To make sure he never got the satisfaction of breaking her pride, she was now playing the act of a flawless, perfect secretary.
"So... shall I go now, sir?" Elena asked, her voice sounding shockingly innocent and soft.
Alex just stared at her, completely speechless and defeated by her politeness. He gave a small nod, and Elena immediately walked out of the room, leaving the young billionaire alone with his racing thoughts.
To be honest, Elena was not scared of him. She never was. She was not a weak, helpless prey waiting for a predator like Alex to destroy her life. She was one of the best genes of the great Adlers. She had accepted this secretary job and stayed completely quiet during his intense blackmail ONLY because she wanted to save her loyal board members and protect the innocent employees of Ora & Olio Globals from a corporate war. She was a mastermind, and masterminds do not panic when they are cornered; they sit back, they smile, and they plan.
As she walked down the quiet hallway toward the coffee machine, her mind was working completely focused and fast. She was simply connecting the dots in her head, looking at every small piece of the situation so she could understand exactly what to plan next.
She knew that Alex's biggest weakness was his own massive global empire across town. He could not stay trapped in this building forever.
But Currently, Elena did not hold the real power in her hands since she was no longer the active CEO of the company. However, she was a woman who would do absolutely anything possible to regain her crown and take back her rightful position at the top.
Right now, Alex was completely at peace because he had no major problems or stress to deal with, which allowed him to focus all his attention on watching her every move. Elena knew she had to change this immediately. She needed to create a massive storm for him, because a distracted enemy is always an easy target to destroy. So let's see what will be the master plan of the mastermind.
Elena reached the executive kitchen, her face completely calm as she prepared his hot black coffee exactly the way he liked it. Once the cup was ready, she carried it back to his massive office, walked across the marker line on the floor, and placed it smoothly on his desk.
Alex looked up at her, still trying to find a flaw as he took a long sip of the strong drink. But just as the hot liquid hit his tongue, his personal phone loudly buzzed on the desk, and a strange name flashed on the screen that instantly made his expression turn serious.
" Hmm " Alex replied , waiting for response. Suddenly his eyes narrowed as he listened to the other party's saying and said " I am coming" before cutting the call .
He looked at the person infront of him and said " I am going to The Valois Empire , inform me if something urgent come. " He said .
" What happened sir ?? Is there any emergency?? " Elena asked innocently to which Alex denied and went towards the exit.
Elena stood straight after bowing to him as a smirk appeared on her face. " Isn't there any emergency sir ?? Fine. Then it will come. " She murmured to herself.
~ At the Valois Empire ~
The entire mood on the 88th floor shifted the moment the heavy click of boots echoed against the marble floor. It was an unmistakable sign: the master had arrived.
Alex stepped onto the floor, his dominating aura instantly filling the space as he walked straight toward his executive cabin. Inside, a group of board members sat waiting. The tension in the room was so thick you could practically hear the rapid heartbeats of the panicked staff.
At the sight of Alex, everyone stood up out of respect. The young master took his seat, and only then did the others follow suit.
"What is the matter, Mr. Hansen?" Alex questioned the chief board member, his voice sending a visible shiver down the old man's spine. "What disaster occurred here that couldn't be resolved over a phone call, forcing me to come down here and handle it personally?" Alex's voice low yet it sounded like a roar to others
Alex's voice was barely above a murmur, but to everyone present, it sounded like a roar.
"M-Mr. Valois, t-there has been an emergency," the old man stuttered. "There is an urgent need for a CEO for Ora and Olio Globals," he explained.
"And why is that?" Alex asked, making the old man to glance at the other officials before speaking.
"Umm actually, sir... W-we—" The old man was literally trembling.
"Just explain, Mr. Hansen. Do not test my patience," the young master warned.
"Sir, if you allow, then let me explain," another director interrupted confidently. After receiving a nod of approval, he began to lay out the core issue. "Sir, there was a massive project related to Ora and Olio Globals that required us to travel to Europe. All the meetings and terms were completely settled, but then the President of that company demanded the signature of the company's CEO."
"That's not a big deal," Alex said coldly. "Ora and Olio Globals is now under the Valois Empire, so just have the Empire's Chief Executive sign the documents."
"But sir, we can't do that. Multiple companies are owned by the Valois Empire, but we still maintain respective CEOs for each individual subsidiary. That is the rule, and nobod—"
The director wasn't even allowed to finish before Alex cut him off. "Rules are not made for me to follow. They are for the staff, not for me. And tell me, who even made this rule?"
"The Elder Master did," another voice spoke up quietly.
" There are several companies that falls under the Valois. It couldn't be possible for a single figure to manage all the companies at a time, that's why we have different CEO's for different companies."
Alex let out an annoyed breath. "Agh. Fine. We are not doing that project then," he said, his voice dripping with frustration.
"But sir, that won't settle the problem," the officials explained. "We must find a permanent CEO for Ora and Olio Globals, or we won't be able to execute any future projects for it. Projects are vital for a brand's survival, especially for a food corporation like Ora and Olio. Currently, as a rising star in the industry, many other corporations are eager to invest or partner with the company. If we reject every proposal, it could lead to a massive crisis—one that could even drive the company into bankruptcy."
"It won't be a problem," Alex countered smoothly. "Ora and Olio will be funded directly by the Valois Empire. It doesn't need external investors."
"But sir, it will have a bad effect on the Empire's image," Mr. Hansen pressed on, finding his courage. "We haven't launched a single project for this brand since acquiring it. The media will definitely question us. They will ask why we even bought a company if we don't know how to handle it—especially since we have always launched massive, high-profile projects for every other company we've acquired in the past. The sudden silence will look suspicious."
Alex leaned back. "Okay. Then appoint any of our current directors as the CEO. It's that simple. Why are you all wasting my time?!"
"That's not possible, sir," the board of directors explained. "We need to find someone who is deeply knowledgeable about the culinary world, possesses a genuine passion for food, and understands the Ins and outs of the hospitality and food industry."
"Hmm, I see. It's not as easy as it seems." Alex paused, analyzing the situation. "Fine. We will hold open interviews for the next CEO of Ora and Olio Globals. Advertise it on every news channel, and print it in every major newspaper and magazine. I want everyone, from local talents to professionals across the nation, to hear about this vacancy."
He leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "Also, include the compensation package: whoever passes the interview will receive exclusive benefits. A high-end, seven-figure salary, a luxury penthouse at country side, and unlimited free vouchers for anything within the Valois empire—our malls, restaurants, makeup brands, and clothing lines. If they have a family, we will fully sponsor the best education in the country for their children. They just have to prove they are capable enough to earn it."
The officials nodded in agreement, bowing respectfully before filing out of the room to execute the young master's orders.
The moment they stepped out of the executive cabin, the staff let out a collective sigh of relief. They knew their master was dangerous and possessed a fragile temper, but ultimately, he always delivered the absolute best solutions for the company's future.
In reality, away from the corporate pressure, Alex was a carefree and lighthearted person. But when it came to business, he became ruthlessly cold—though never entirely heartless. He genuinely cared for his people, his staff, and everyone under his employ.
He always kept a close eye on his employees' well-being, resolving both their personal and professional matters. This loyalty wasn't just his own trait; it was a generational legacy. His great-grandfather, his grandfather, and his own father had all dedicated themselves to the welfare of their workforce. They had taught Alex from a young age that a massive empire doesn't stand because of one leader alone; the true secret behind a successful business is a happy staff, and it is the owner's absolute duty to treat their employees' problems as their own.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room somewhere else in the city, a smartphone buzzed softly against a glass table.
A slender hand reached out and picked it up. The person pressed the phone to their ear, keeping their eyes fixed on the city lights glowing outside the window.
"Is the work done?" a smooth, professional male voice asked from the other side of the line.
The lady let out a low, soft chuckle. It was a sound full of pure victory. "Yes. He completely fell for it. He just left his office in a massive hurry."
"Perfect," the man on the phone replied with a slight laugh. "My team followed your exact instructions. We refused to accept any signature other than the official CEO's signature for the European project. We made it sound so urgent that his board members completely panicked."
It was a brilliant, hidden truth. It was absolutely true that a company would eventually need a proper CEO to function. But in reality, the situation was never meant to explode this fast. The only reason the board of directors had run to Alex trembling with fear today was because the strings were being pulled behind the scenes.
She had purposefully used her secret connection with the European company's President to create a sudden storm.
"You played your part perfectly," the lady murmured, her eyes flashing with a cold, sharp intelligence. "Now, he has no choice but to open international interviews. He thinks he is the one taking the decisions, but he is just walking right into the game I built."
"What is your next move?" the man asked, his tone turning serious. "Alex Valois is not a man who stays distracted for long."
The lady slowly turned around, a dark, beautiful smirk appearing on her face as she tightened her grip on the phone.
"Let him put out the advertisements in every major newspaper and channel," she whispered softly into the receiver, her voice filled with an undeniable power. "He is searching the whole country to find the perfect candidate who understands every single cell of this network."
She paused for a split second, her eyes turning incredibly dark.
"He has no idea," she murmured, her smirk widening as the call disconnected, "that the perfect candidate is already sitting right in front of him."
She ended the call and set the phone down, watching the skyline. Back at the Valois building, Alex strode through the marble hallways thinking he was the hunter. He had no idea the trap had been set.
Elena crossed the executive floor and paused at the black marker line on the carpet. For a beat she just stood there. No one noticed the small, calm smile that touched her lips.
Somewhere between the empire's meetings and the city's lights, a game had begun. One quiet decision, one advert, one signature: everything would move from here.
Elena stepped back from the line, tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and walked away as if nothing had happened.
But she knew, she knew that something bigger had happen already .
The screen of a newsroom computer blinked alive: "CEO WANTED — ORA & OLIO GLOBALS." The headline flashed across feeds, into phones, into living rooms.
Elena smiled, tiny and certain. The move was made. The hunt had begun. He would never see her coming
OR HE WILL? .