Shadows of the Past

Chapter 7: Shadows of the Past

Ethan gazed out of his office window, the city skyline fading into a blur as his mind raced. The board meeting had wrapped up hours ago, yet Adrian's barbs still echoed in his mind, a persistent ache. His brother's remarks weren't mere jabs—they were deliberate efforts to chip away at his credibility, even before he officially took on the CEO title.

A gentle knock at the door broke his reverie. "Come in," Ethan called, straightening his tie as Danielle entered the room.

"Mr. Wright," she said, her voice a mix of uncertainty and resolve. "You wanted to see me?"

Ethan gestured toward the chair opposite his desk. "Please, have a seat."

Danielle settled on the edge of the chair, gripping her notepad tightly as if it were a lifeline. She hadn't been at Wright Enterprises for long, but the murmurs and sidelong glances from her coworkers were starting to take a toll. This was the first time Ethan had summoned her to his office since her arrival, and she couldn't shake the feeling that a reprimand was imminent.

"I just wanted to check in," Ethan said, leaning forward slightly. "How are you finding your footing?"

Danielle blinked, momentarily taken aback by his inquiry. "I'm... managing," she replied cautiously. "The work is tough, but I'm learning."

Ethan observed her for a moment, his expression inscrutable. "That's good to hear. I know it hasn't been easy for you, especially given how you came into this role."

Danielle tensed. "If you're concerned about my performance—"

"I'm not," Ethan interjected, his tone steady yet gentle. "I'm more concerned about how you're being treated. The incident at the gala was unfortunate, but people can be... harsh."

Danielle tightened her grip on her notepad. "I can handle it," she asserted, a trace of defiance in her voice.

Ethan nodded, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I believe you. But if you ever need my support, just know I'm here for you."

The sincerity in his voice caught Danielle off guard. She wasn't accustomed to receiving kindness from people like Ethan—those who resided in penthouses and wielded power to alter lives with a mere signature. For a fleeting moment, she dared to think that perhaps, just perhaps, Ethan Wright was different.

"Thank you," she replied softly.

Ethan leaned back, the moment of openness vanishing as swiftly as it had appeared. "That's all for now. Keep up the good work."

Danielle rose, gripping her notepad tightly as if it were a lifeline while exiting the office. Yet, as the door clicked shut behind her, she couldn't shake the sense that Ethan Wright was much more complex than she had initially thought.

Meanwhile, Adrian lingered in the shadows of the Wright Enterprises boardroom, his gaze sharp as he observed Ethan and Danielle through the glass walls of Ethan's office. The exchange was brief, but Adrian's mind buzzed with potential implications.

"Interesting," he whispered to himself, a cunning smile forming on his lips. "Very interesting."

"Interesting," he murmured to himself, tapping his fingers against the table. "Very interesting."

"What's interesting?" a voice came from behind him.

Adrian turned to see one of the senior board members, a man whose loyalty had always been questionable. Adrian put on a practiced smile. "Oh, nothing. Just taking note of my little brother's... management style."

The board member raised an eyebrow. "He's certainly making waves. But you know how Richard is—Ethan's his favorite."

Adrian chuckled, the sound low and devoid of humor. "Favorites tend to fade under pressure. It's only a matter of time."

The board member hesitated, then nodded cautiously. "Well, if anyone can handle the pressure, it's Ethan. But I guess we'll see."

"Oh, we will," Adrian replied, his tone filled with quiet resolve. "And when the moment arrives, I'll be ready."

As the boardroom emptied, Adrian lingered, his mind racing with strategies. If Ethan thought this was merely a contest of skill and outcomes, he was gravely mistaken. This was about power—and Adrian had no plans of losing.