All she could do was wait

The news spread like wildfire the next morning. Alexander Sterling, the formidable CEO of Sterling Corporation, was officially "sick" and would be taking an indefinite leave of absence. The company's highly anticipated gala was canceled, and the carefully planned celebrations, along with the promised bonuses and perks, vanished overnight.

Every major media outlet had the same statement: Alexander Sterling was receiving treatment for a sudden illness and needed time away from his duties. Speculations ran rampant. The announcement was as shocking as it was vague, leaving the public grasping for answers that weren't there.

On the streets, the atmosphere was tense. People huddled around newsstands, radios, and television screens in cafés, dissecting every word of the statement. In the bus on the way to work, the usual hum of quiet conversations was replaced by whispers filled with worry and confusion.