CHAPTER 8

At that moment Charles extended his hand to accept the secretary's handshake, his grip firm but measured. He nodded slightly, his expression calm yet commanding.

"It's been a long time, Master George Kaden," Rosa, the secretary, said with a polite smile.

Charles gave a curt nod.

"I've been busy," he replied simply, his tone carrying a weight that ended any further inquiries.

Rosa quickly straightened, her demeanor shifting to one of professional excitement.

"Master George Kaden, you should know—the company's net worth has soared under your plans. In less than a year of your absence, we've risen from ten billion dollars to fifty billion dollars. It's all thanks to your brilliant business strategies."

She paused, glancing at him with admiration.

"You've already surpassed your father's legacy. He would undoubtedly be proud of you in heaven."

At that moment Charles allowed a faint smile, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Of course," he said, his voice calm but with an edge of pride.

"But there's still more to do."

He adjusted the cuff of his sleeve, his gaze sharp as it rested on Rosa. "I need all the details of the ongoing contracts—every last one. I'll be taking control of the business again. From now on, nothing happens in this company without coming through me first. Is that clear?"

Upon hearing what Charles just said.

Rosa's head bobbed in a quick bow, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "Yes,Master George Kaden. Understood completely."

She remained in her bowed position, her tone unwavering in respect as she said.

Charles entered his office, the spacious room a blend of elegance and authority. The polished desk was neatly arranged, and a stack of files sat in the center, waiting for his review.

He sank into the leather chair and picked up the first set of documents.

The moment his eyes scanned the names, and immediately, two families caught his attention: the Callum family and the Zachary family. His jaw tightened instinctively, irritation flashing across his face.

For a brief moment, he considered tearing the papers in half, but then a thought stopped him—Valentina.

'This isn't my decision to make,'

he reminded himself.

'She should decide what happens with them.'

With a deep breath, he set the files aside, his expression softening just slightly as he thought of her.

Knowing Master Raymond would definitely be interested in the files.

**

Meanwhile, outside the Jonah City Trade Center, a sleek Rolls-Royce Phantom came to a smooth stop. Cecilia stepped out, her appearance shifting subtly as she adjusted her posture and demeanor. In an instant, she was no longer Cecilia but someone else entirely—a striking young woman with a commanding presence.

As she entered the towering skyscraper, heads turned almost immediately. Her sharp heels clicked against the marble floor, the sound echoing like a declaration of authority.

"Is that… Sofia Maximiliano?" someone whispered.

"It can't be," another murmured, their voice hushed with disbelief. "That's Mr. Maximiliano's granddaughter?"

The buzz spread quickly. The Maximiliano family was a name that commanded respect and awe. With a net worth of over a hundred billion dollars in cash, not tied up in assets, their wealth was legendary. And Sofia Maximiliano—Cecilia's carefully constructed identity—was a well-known multi-billionaire in her own right.

The building was abuzz with whispers and stolen glances as Cecilia strode through, her expression unreadable but exuding quiet confidence.

"She's with the Maximilianos," someone said, almost breathless. "Can you believe it? A hundred billion dollars in cash…"

The astonishment and admiration in their voices were palpable, and Cecilia didn't need to say a word. The knowledge of her supposed identity—and its immense power—was enough to silence any doubts. The gossipers were left in awe, their imaginations running wild with this new revelation about her.

As Cecilia walked toward the elevator, the whispers behind her grew louder, barely masked by the faint hum of activity in the trade center.

"They say the Jonah City Trade Center is just one of their holdings," someone murmured, their tone a mix of awe and disbelief. "In assets, the Maximilianos could be worth up to 300 billion dollars."

Hearing their words Cecilia didn't react, her expression as composed as ever. She entered the elevator, the polished mirrors reflecting her poised figure.

The doors closed with a soft chime, and the elevator ascended smoothly, carrying her to the upper floors.

When the doors slid open, Cecilia stepped out into a bustling office space.

Her sharp eyes immediately caught a group of employees idling, chatting animatedly instead of working. Their laughter faded abruptly as they noticed her, but it was already too late.

Cecilia's heels clicked against the tiled floor as she approached them, her presence like a cold gust of wind. Her tone was icy and firm. "You're all fired," she said, her words slicing through the air like a blade.

The group stood frozen, their faces pale as Cecilia dismissed them with a wave of her hand.

By the time she was done, ten employees had been dismissed without so much as a second thought.

She moved past them, her demeanor unshaken as she approached another door.

As she entered, the atmosphere shifted immediately.

The walls of the space were made entirely of transparent glass, offering a panoramic view of the bustling city below. Inside, a group of executives was gathered around a long, sleek table, deep in a meeting.

The moment Cecilia stepped in, their conversation halted, and every head turned toward her.

Shock registered on their faces, followed by swift compliance.

they couldn't believe she would be coming today, but here she was standing in front of them.

Without being told they know what us coming next.

Without wasting anymore time one by one, they stood and bowed deeply, a synchronized display of respect and submission.

Cecilia walked to an empty chair at the head of the table, her movements slow and deliberate. She sat down gracefully, crossing her legs as her sharp gaze swept across the room.

"Gentlemen," she said, her voice calm yet commanding. "You can continue."