The Face.

Jacqueline's office was the epitome of modern elegance, a reflection of her sharp mind and meticulous attention to detail. The room was spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline. The walls were adorned with sleek, minimalist artwork, and the furniture was a blend of functionality and sophistication—a large glass desk, a plush leather chair, and a seating area with a chic, contemporary sofa and armchairs. A bookshelf lined one wall, filled with business journals, industry reports, and a few personal mementos, including a framed photo of her family.

At her desk, Jacqueline sat with her laptop open, her eyes scanning the quarterly reports from the companies she oversaw. Cyber Genesis, headed by Anushka, had shown remarkable growth, with revenue exceeding expectations. ConnectTel, led by Dad, had maintained its stronghold in the telecom sector, though there were a few areas that needed improvement. VoltTech, the electronics division, was preparing for the launch of its latest product—a high-tech hair dryer that promised to revolutionize the market.

Jacqueline's brow furrowed as she read through the VoltTech report, her fingers tapping lightly on the desk. The numbers were good, but she knew the success of the product launch would depend on more than just the specs. Marketing would be key, and she needed to ensure everything was perfect.

Just as she was about to dive deeper into the report, there was a knock on the door. Jacqueline looked up, her expression calm but focused. "Come in," she called, her voice carrying the authority of someone used to being in charge.

The door opened, and Aaron stepped inside. He was the head of marketing for VoltTech, a sharp and ambitious man with a knack for innovative campaigns. "Good afternoon, Jacqueline," he said, his tone respectful but confident. "I apologize for disturbing you."

Jacqueline waved a hand dismissively. "It's fine, Aaron. What do you have for me?"

Aaron stepped further into the room, holding a tablet in one hand. "I wanted to discuss the upcoming launch of the new hair dryer. We've finalized the product specs, and the marketing team has come up with a campaign idea that I think could really make an impact."

Jacqueline leaned back in her chair, her interest piqued. "Go on."

Aaron hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "We think you should be the face of the campaign."

Jacqueline's eyebrows shot up, her surprise evident. "Me? Why?"

Aaron's expression was earnest as he explained. "You're the CEO of the Bendilani Group at such a young age. You're a role model for so many people, especially women in your age group. If you're the face of this product, it will resonate with our target audience. It will show that VoltTech is innovative, forward-thinking, and led by someone who understands the needs of modern consumers."

Jacqueline shook her head immediately, her tone firm. "No, Aaron. I'm not a model or a spokesperson. My job is to run the company, not to be the face of it."

But Aaron wasn't deterred. "Jacqueline, this isn't just about being a spokesperson. It's about showing the world what the Bendilani Group stands for. It's about inspiring people. And let's be honest—you're the perfect person to do that."

Jacqueline sighed, her resolve wavering. She hated the idea of being in the spotlight, but she couldn't deny the logic in Aaron's argument. After a long pause, she finally nodded. "Alright, Aaron. I'll do it. But keep it professional. No gimmicks, no over-the-top campaigns. Understood?"

Aaron's face lit up with a smile. "Understood. Thank you, Jacqueline. You won't regret this."

As Aaron left the office, Jacqueline leaned back in her chair, her mind already racing with the implications of her decision. She had never been one to seek attention, but if this was what it took to ensure the success of VoltTech, she was willing to step out of her comfort zone.

---------

Anushka's shared office with Mark was a stark contrast to Jacqueline's. While still professional and well-organized, it had a more personal touch. The walls were lined with whiteboards filled with diagrams, code snippets, and project timelines. Her desk was cluttered with multiple monitors, each displaying different tasks she was working on. A small potted plant sat in the corner, a gift from Emily, and a framed photo of her and Mark during one of their late-night work sessions was placed prominently on her desk.

Anushka was deep in concentration, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she worked on a task for Bytewave. The project was complex, requiring her full attention, but she thrived on the challenge. Her focus was so intense that she didn't notice the knock on the door at first.

The knock came again, louder this time, and Anushka finally looked up. "Come in," she called, her voice slightly distracted.

The door opened, and Stacey walked in, holding a stack of documents. "Hey, Anushka," she said, her tone cheerful. "Got a minute?"

Anushka smiled, leaning back in her chair. "For you, Stacey? Always. What's up?"

Stacey placed the documents on Anushka's desk. "Just need you to sign off on these. They're the final reports for the Pen-Testing team's last project."

Anushka nodded, quickly scanning the documents before signing them. "Everything looks good. Great work, as always."

Stacey grinned, clearly pleased. "Thanks, Anushka. Oh, and I heard Mark's back. How's he doing?"

Anushka's expression softened at the mention of Mark. "He's doing better, but he still needs some time to heal. He won't be coming back to work just yet."

Stacey nodded, her tone sympathetic. "That's understandable. It's good to hear he's back, though. We've all been worried about him."

Anushka smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Thanks, Stacey. I'll let him know you asked about him."

As Stacey left the office, Anushka turned back to her screens, but her mind was no longer on the task at hand. She couldn't help but think about Mark, about the long road ahead of him—and the role she would play in helping him recover.