Lorenzo hesitated for a moment before storming out of the clubhouse. Sliding into his car, the engine roared as he hit the gas and took off—not towards home, but to the Flynn residence where Ashley lived.
Elara let out a weary sigh, stumbling backward until she collapsed onto the couch Lorenzo had been guiding her to earlier. Within moments, soft snores filled the space.
Meanwhile, inside one of the clubhouse rooms…
"Yes, choke me! Harder!"
Carl tightened his grip, his thrusts growing relentless as the woman's moans filled the room.
He had stumbled upon the stunning redhead after leaving Elara with Lorenzo. A little smooth talk and a few drinks had led them to this moment.
"Faster… uh!"
"As you wish, sweetheart."
Carl smacked her ass before flipping her over. She let out a sharp gasp as he pulled her legs onto his shoulders and drove into her with punishing force. The stranger's screams echoed off the walls, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes. Both of them were drenched in sweat, the room's luxury air conditioning seemingly useless against their body heat.
*******
Ashley stepped into the high-end boardroom of Flynn Enterprises' corporate headquarters. As conversations hushed, all eyes turned to her, making her pulse quicken. Still, she masked how nervous she was with a composed, unreadable expression.
She took a seat at the massive fifty-seater round table, but the moment her gaze locked onto the man sitting across from her, her breath hitched.
It was Marcus Flynn.
With Raphael nowhere in sight, it was clear Marcus was here in his place.
"Welcome, cousin." A smirk tugged at Marcus' lips, and Ashley forced an awkward smile.
It had been five days since his unannounced visit to her office, and now, with the sudden crisis forcing this board meeting, she couldn't shake the feeling that Marcus knew something she didn't. But she couldn't tell what.
"Hello, my dear."
The warm voice beside her pulled her attention away from Marcus. To her surprise, it was Patricia Klove, one of the company's top partners that Mikael had introduced her to at her CEO inauguration party.
Ashley offered a polite smile as they exchanged pleasantries, but the tension in the room remained thick.
The meeting soon began, and so did the questions, the shareholders voicing out their concerns.
A gray-haired man leaned forward first, his voice edged with frustration. "What measures are being taken to address the drastic drop in our stock value?"
Before Ashley could think of a response, a younger, sharp-eyed man cut in. "Several of our major investors have pulled out. If we don't act fast, I fear others will follow suit."
Another shareholder, a woman in her mid-fifties, tapped her pen against the table. "Ms. Flynn, this company has thrived for decades under strong leadership. With all due respect, I'm concerned that we're losing confidence in the market due to inexperience at the top."
Ashley's jaw tightened, but she did her best to remain calm. The woman's words was an unmistakable jab at her competence.
Patricia leaned forward, her voice firm. "Let's not forget that even seasoned CEOs have faced market fluctuations. The real issue is how we handle it, and I trust Ms. Flynn is already working on a solution."
Another shareholder scoffed. "Trust isn't enough in business, Patricia. We need numbers."
Some members murmured in agreement, while some sided with Patricia.
Patricia turned her sharp gaze to the man. "And do you think panicking and replacing leadership mid-crisis is the solution? Did you question Mikael Flynn this way when he faced setbacks?"
"I only think Ms. Flynn isn't fully prepared to run the company yet," the man replied bluntly, gaze fierce. "It's been barely two months since Mikael stepped down, and already, we're facing a crisis."
"If the stocks keep plummeting, we're all going to lose everything!" another added.
Ashley kept her expression composed, grateful for Patricia's defense. But beneath her calm facade, her pulse quickened with every word.
Marcus, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. "I agree with Ms. Klove."
Ashley turned to him, suspicion flickering in her eyes. Why was he defending her too? She had expected him to join the ones against her. Had she judged him too quickly?
"I believe our CEO is already taking steps to address this," he continued smoothly. "Let's give her the opportunity to present her strategy."
The Vice Chairman, a dark-haired man sitting at the head of the table, nodded. "Then let's hear it. Ms. Flynn, what is your plan?"
All eyes turned back to Ashley. She slowly stood, holding her chin high despite the intimidating gazes fixed on her. Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to remain calm.
"I understand your concerns," she began, her voice steady. "I know most of you are afraid of losing your investments, but I assure you—that will not happen."
She met their curious gazes. "As Mister Marcus said earlier, I'm already taking steps to address the problem. I've recently met with potential investors who are eager to partner with us. Once the deal is finalized, those who pulled out—and those considering it—will regret their decision I promise you."
Patricia Klove smiled, nodding in approval.
A few members exchanged glances, some murmuring in agreement, while others remained skeptical.
"How long do we need to wait?" the sharp-eyed man asked.
Ashley hesitated for only a second before answering. "Expect everything to be settled within two weeks."
Most nodded in agreement, some seeming relieved. But Ashley knew the real challenge was just beginning. None of the investors she spoke about were near ready to invest, but she knew she needed to say that to keep more from pulling out.
After the meeting, she briefly spoke with Patricia before she exited the boardroom. Marcus met her just before she reached her car.
"You did well there," he said, surprising her again.
Ashley forced a smile. "Thank you... and I appreciate your support."
"What are families for?" Marcus smirked as he took a step back. "You should really have dinner with us sometime, cousin. It's important to know who's truly on your side in this family."
Ashley frowned at his choice of words, but before she could question him, he added, "...and lest I forget, my brother has taken quite an interest in you… and he sends his regards."
She arched a brow. "I never knew you had a brother, but tell him I received his regard."
Marcus chuckled, hands disappearing into his pockets. "There are many things you don't know about me, cousin. I'll be on my way now."
He turned to a glowering Greg, who was still holding the car door open for Ashley. "Take care of her, grumpy."
Greg's grip on the car door tightened, his knuckles turning white at the nickname. His gaze flickered to Ashley—the only thing stopping him from lifting Marcus off the ground by his ears.
Lucky bastard.
Marcus chuckled at Greg's reaction before turning around and sauntering away.
Ashley watched his back, wondering what game he was playing and what he meant by knowing who was truly on her side. With her brain too tired to begin to unravel the layers around the mysterious man, she turned and entered her car.
After she sat, Greg offered her a chilled bottle of water from the car's rear-seat refrigerator. Ashley took it, thanking him for the thoughtfulness.
As they drove back to her branch, her mind raced with thoughts of the promise she had just made to the shareholders. Could she really find investors willing to invest as much as the major ones who had pulled out—in such a short period? She knew it would be difficult.
Most investors were hesitant to put money into a company facing trouble. But if she didn't solve this problem soon, it wouldn't be long before they voted for her removal. And Mikael—he would be more than disappointed.
She hated the way most shareholders had looked at her—like some spoiled heir living off her grandfather's success, unfit to run the empire he built.
She had no choice now. She didn't just need to keep her promise—she had to prove she deserved the position.