A clash of strategy and pride

The Royales family

The towering glass building of Royales Consultant Company gleamed under the midday sun, a symbol of power, precision, and prestige. Inside, the air hummed with quiet efficiency—employees moved with purpose, their voices low but confident. At the heart of it all was Ariana Royales, the formidable CEO, whose sharp intellect and unwavering vision had built the empire from the ground up.

Her son, Ethan Royales, the Vice President, carried himself with the same commanding presence, though his methods were… different. Where Ariana led with calculated grace, Ethan thrived on dominance, always eager to prove himself—especially to those he deemed beneath him.

And today, his target was Olivia Royales, the Head of Financial Strategy.

The Boardroom: A Battle of Wits

The sleek, modern boardroom was filled with the company's top executives, all gathered to discuss their latest high-profile client—Verdant Global, a rapidly expanding conglomerate in need of a financial overhaul.

Olivia stood at the head of the table, her tablet in hand, her voice steady as she laid out her strategy.

Verdant's biggest issue is liquidity. They're expanding too fast without securing their cash flow. My proposal? A phased restructuring—consolidate their high-risk investments, renegotiate their debt terms, and implement a stricter ROI evaluation before greenlighting new projects.

Murmurs of approval rippled through the room. Even Ariana gave a slight nod—Olivia's plans were always meticulous.

But then Ethan leaned forward, a smirk playing on his lips.

That's a safe plan, Olivia. Very… cautious.But Verdant doesn't need safe/ They need bold moves to dominate the market.

Olivia's jaw tightened, but she didn't flinch. Bold moves without a safety net lead to crashes, Ethan. We're consultants, not gamblers.

Ethan chuckled, swirling his pen between his fingers. Spoken like someone who's never taken a real risk. Maybe if you stepped out of your spreadsheets, you'd see opportunities instead of obstacles.

Ariana's sharp gaze flickered between them, sensing the tension. She had seen this dance before—Ethan's need to undermine, Olivia's refusal to yield.

Enough,Ariana cut in, her voice cool but firm. *"Olivia's approach is structured, but Ethan isn't wrong—Verdant needs to stand out. I want a hybrid strategy. Olivia, refine your restructuring plan. Ethan, draft aggressive expansion tactics. We'll merge the best of both.

Ethan's smirk widened—he'd forced his way in. Olivia simply nodded, but the fire in her eyes said this wasn't over.

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The Royales Standard: More Than Just Business

As the meeting adjourned, employees dispersed, some heading to the in-house Royales Gourmet Restaurant—a perk for top-tier staff—while others made their way to the state-of-the-art Royales Fitness Center, another testament to the company's belief in excellence in all aspects of life.

Olivia strode toward the elevators, her mind already racing through adjustments to her proposal. Ethan caught up, falling into step beside her.

You know, one day you'll have to admit that playing it safe won't keep us on top,he said, his tone dripping with condescension.

She didn't look at him. And one day, you'll realize that arrogance isn't a strategy."

The elevator doors opened. She stepped inside, leaving him standing there, his smirk fading into something darker, and frustration

The Game Is Just Beginning

Back in her office, Olivia stared at the skyline, her fingers tapping against her desk. Ethan was a problem—one she couldn't ignore forever. But for now, she had a job to do and focus on.

Across the building, Ethan lounged in his chair, scrolling through market reports. Olivia was good—he'd give her that. But the Royales legacy demanded more than just good , the best and smartest of all

And he intended to prove it her