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Chapter 171: The Unexpected Applause
The award ceremony was held at a grand events centre overlooking the city, the kind of venue reserved for evenings meant to be remembered. Donovan Industries had been nominated weeks earlier for its innovation efforts, and by the time Michael Ainsley arrived, the hall was already filled with familiar faces from the industry. Executives mingled and exchanging pleasantries easily, with each other, journalists moved with quiet urgency, and the soft hum of anticipation settled into the room like a living thing.Michael arrived with Clarissa and two senior executives from the company. He looked composed in a tailored black suit, his movements deliberate and confident. Anyone watching from the outside would have assumed this was another routine appearance for a man accustomed to public attention. He greeted colleagues politely, shook hands, exchanged brief smiles, and took his seat with calm assurance.Clarissa walked beside him, her posture elegant, her expression neutral. She had agr
Chapter 170
The quarterly staff assembly filled the main auditorium more than usual. Employees from every department streamed in, marketing, finance, legal, HR, operations, all curious to hear the CEO’s address. Michael stood backstage for a few minutes before stepping out. His posture was straight, his expression calm, and his suit neat without a wrinkle. Everything about him appeared controlled and dignified.But the heaviness around him was unmistakable.When he finally walked to the podium, the murmurs softened. The lights overhead washed his face in a warm glow that made him look steadier than he had felt in weeks. He adjusted the microphone, offered a small nod to the hall, and began speaking.“Good morning, everyone.”The greeting landed gently. His voice was strong, smooth, and clear, the voice of a leader who always knew how to command a room. But those who were used to his speeches felt something different this time. He didn’t carry the usual warmth. Or tease the younger staff wit
Chapter 169: A Guardian’s Concern
The elderly lawyer arrived without announcing his visit, something he had the privilege to do because he had, together with the previous lawyer, served the Donovan family long before the company ever expanded into what it had become. His name was Mr. Obidenwe, a man with a slow, thoughtful way of speaking and eyes that seemed to observe more than anyone realised. He had handled Sophia’s father’s estate years ago, and though he had retired from most active practice, he still took his role as a guardian of the family’s history seriously.Michael had not seen him in months and was surprised when his secretary walked into his office saying, “Sir, Mr. Obidenwe is here to see you.”He rose immediately, straightening his tie out of respect, and opened the door himself.“Sir,” Michael greeted warmly, “you should have called. I would have—”“There are conversations that are better had in person,” the old man said, stepping inside with the dignity of someone who had never rushed anything in h
Chapter 168: A Crack in the Shell
Michael arrived at the office earlier than usual, stepping out of his car with a pace that immediately caught the attention of the security team. His movements were precise, his expression unreadable, and there was a firm energy around him that hadn’t been there for weeks. This was something sharper, more focused, the kind of clarity that comes when a person reaches the end of one phase of struggle and shifts into another.He walked into the building without lingering for any greetings, heading straight for the executive floor. Within minutes of settling behind his desk, he began sifting through reports with an almost relentless speed. His assistants barely had time to adjust before he started restructuring deadlines, moving projects forward, and cleaning up backlogged tasks that had been piling since his emotional retreat.“Move the procurement review to this afternoon,” he instructed one of the secretaries. “And bring me the quarterly projections again. I want to adjust three fi
Chapter 167: Confessions Over Coffee
The café Victoria chose was small, tucked neatly between a bookstore and a florist shop. It wasn’t the usual type of place Michael frequented, but that was part of the reason she picked it. Neutral ground. Somewhere that didn’t hold memories or obligations. Somewhere with gentle music, warm lights, and quiet corners where a person could speak without feeling watched.Michael arrived a few minutes early, settling into a seat by the window. He looked calmer than he had looked in weeks. Not healed, not entirely steady, but composed in a way that suggested he was trying to rebuild himself layer by layer.Victoria walked in shortly after, greeted him with a smile that carried more understanding than warmth, and sat across from him. They ordered coffee, exchanged light comments about work, and discussed the community initiative she wanted him to sponsor. For the first several minutes, the conversation stayed on the surface, polite and tidy.But Victoria hadn’t asked him here for paperw
Chapter 166: Unexpected Meeting
The charity event was held at one of the most prestigious hotels in the city, the kind of place where the chandeliers hung low in warm golden light and conversations drifted through the hall like gentle waves. Donovan Industries had been invited as one of the supportive partners, and Michael arrived dressed in a deep navy suit that matched the calm, calculated expression he had been wearing all week. His presence garnered attention immediately, not only because of his role, but also because his recent silence in the business sphere had left many curious to see him again.Clarissa walked beside him, elegant as always, though her steps carried a slight tension she tried carefully to conceal. She had no idea what the evening would hold, but she hoped it would pass quietly.For the first hour, everything remained predictable. They greeted familiar faces, exchanged polite smiles, and took part in casual conversations with different business associates. Michael handled himself with the
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