In a tense boardroom meeting, the company’s COO cautiously asks CEO Gabriel whether to proceed with or cancel suspicious contracts amid recent financial irregularities. Gabriel, lost in thought and distracted by jealous imaginings about his wife Isla, initially remains silent, creating a heavy atmosphere. Despite the pressure, Gabriel eventually asks the COO what he would decide, and upon hearing the advice to cancel all contracts until clarity is achieved, Gabriel decisively cancels them all except for those involving Charles, his father-in-law.
Gabriel then shocks everyone by asking Charles if he is capable of handling the contracts alone. When Charles nervously affirms, Gabriel instructs that all contracts be awarded to Charles Enterprise. The COO is stunned by this sudden move, but Gabriel leaves without further explanation. Left alone, Charles is bewildered by the unexpected responsibility and wealth now placed in his hands.
As Charles and the COO leave the room, the COO congratulates Charles on becoming a billionaire, highlighting the magnitude of Gabriel’s decision. However, Charles senses something unusual about Gabriel’s behavior and becomes determined to uncover the truth behind his son-in-law’s strange actions. The chapter ends with an air of unresolved tension and anticipation for what will come next.
“Sir, what’s your decision? Should we go ahead with the contracts or cancel them?” The company’s COO broke the heavy silence, his voice cautious yet firm.
He was a tall man, broad-shouldered, with dark, curly hair neatly trimmed at the sides. Loose strands fell over his forehead, softening his otherwise sharp features. His rectangular glasses gave him an intelligent, almost scholarly appearance—a stark contrast to Gabriel’s cold, commanding aura.
The atmosphere in the boardroom was thick with tension. Around the long mahogany table, everyone waited expectantly for the CEO to speak. But Gabriel remained silent.
He sat perfectly still, his eyes fixed on the pile of files before him, though it was obvious his mind was elsewhere, far beyond the walls of the room.
The company had recently been plagued by irregularities—contracts inflated with suspicious figures, unexplained expenses, and dubious transactions. Gabriel had halted all new deals until a thorough investigation could be completed. Today’s meeting was meant to bring clarity and resolution. Every major contractor had been called in, including Charles, his father-in-law and Isla’s father.
Yet, despite the gravity of the situation, Gabriel’s thoughts were distracted.
No matter how hard he tried to focus, his mind kept drifting to Isla, his wife. The image of her, smiling faintly in someone else’s embrace—a vision born purely of jealousy and his own tortured imagination—gnawed at him. It was irrational, yet it consumed him, clouding his judgment and twisting what he believed to be true.
“Sir?” The COO cleared his throat softly, attempting to pull Gabriel back to the present. His effort succeeded. Gabriel blinked, shifting his gaze toward the man.
“I was asking,” the COO repeated, “what your decision is, since all the evidence is right here.”
Gabriel exhaled slowly, adjusting his posture in the leather chair. He leaned back slightly, rubbing his thumb against his jaw as if that small gesture could soothe the tension knotting his thoughts.
“If I may ask,” he said, his voice calm but weighted with unspoken stress, “what would you decide if you were in my position?”
The COO hesitated for a moment before offering a careful, diplomatic smile. “To be honest, sir… it would be best to cancel all contracts, at least until we have more clarity.”
A ripple of gasps and whispers swept through the room. The contractors exchanged uneasy glances, their faces tightening with anxiety.
Gabriel’s voice cut through the murmurs, low and resolute.
“All contracts are cancelled. Everyone except Mr. Charles may leave.”
The silence that followed was suffocating. The contractors froze, disbelief flashing in their eyes. But Gabriel’s tone was final, leaving no room for argument.
Reluctantly, they gathered their papers and rose. As they filed out of the conference room, their eyes lingered on Gabriel, silently pleading for him to reconsider. But he didn’t even glance their way.
The COO, familiar with his boss’s moods, gave a curt nod toward the exit. Once the last man had left, the heavy doors shut with a dull thud, leaving only three men behind: Gabriel, Charles, and the COO.
Charles cleared his throat and adjusted his tie nervously. He wanted to ask what was wrong with his son-in-law, but this was neither the moment nor the place.
Yet, deep down, Charles sensed something was off about Gabriel’s behavior. And he was determined to uncover the truth—very soon.
The chapter closes on a note of profound tension and uncertainty, revealing Gabriel’s internal struggle as he grapples with both the corporate crisis and his turbulent emotions. His decision to cancel all contracts, except those awarded to Charles, reflects a complex blend of mistrust and strategic calculation, underscored by the silent storm brewing within him. The image of Isla, haunting his thoughts, subtly colors his actions, reminding us that even the strongest leaders are vulnerable to personal turmoil.
Despite the weight of the moment, the chapter leaves us with a sense of quiet anticipation. Charles’s shock and the COO’s surprised congratulations hint at shifting dynamics and unspoken challenges ahead. Yet beneath the surface, the unresolved tension between Gabriel’s professional resolve and his emotional unrest promises deeper revelations, inviting readers to look beyond the boardroom’s polished facade and into the fragile heart of a man at a crossroads.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the intricate web of corporate intrigue and personal tension that now grips Gabriel and those around him. As Charles grapples with his sudden rise to power and the heavy responsibility thrust upon him, readers will witness the subtle but growing rift between family loyalty and business pragmatism. Gabriel’s unusual decision and his distracted demeanor hint at unresolved conflicts that could shake the foundations of both his marriage and his empire.
Meanwhile, the emotional undercurrents surrounding Gabriel and Isla are set to intensify. Gabriel’s jealousy and inner turmoil suggest that his personal struggles may soon collide with the high-stakes world of corporate machinations. The delicate balance between trust and suspicion, both in business and in love, will be tested, leaving readers eager to uncover how these tensions will unfold and what sacrifices the characters might be forced to make.
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.

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