The Swapped Ceo

Chap 2: Cheap Gossips

"Do they really believe the boss will show up?"

"Is that even a plausible demand?"

"Will the CEO really come to the company because of this?"

The skeptical whisper and rumors cut through the din of the open office floor of Tianhu Enterprises. Sunlight streamed through the lofty glass walls, illuminating the activity within. Employees clustered in small groups, murmuring to one another, their eyes glued to their screens or darting towards the conference room and the big screen where an announcement is flashed in bold and big letters for all to see, and which seems to be the source of the commotion.

"URGENT: Partner Company Requests CEO Presence for Upcoming Deal."

A young man, fresh out of college, leaned over the partition of his cubicle, speaking in a hushed tone to a fellow worker, "Did you hear the memo? The partner company is requiring our CEO to sign the deal in person."

His neighbor, a woman in her thirties who was adjusting her headset, raised an eyebrow. "Of course, I saw it. It's all anyone's talking about. But do they really think he'll just waltz in here like some regular executive? The guy's a ghost."

The young man grinned. "Honestly? I half hope he does. I've been here three years and have never even seen a picture of him. He could be a legend for all we know."

At a nearby workstation, a sharp-tongued woman named Sarah snorted. "Legend? Ha. He's more likely some old hermit who's lost all social skills. That's why he's hiding."

The laughter was passed around the group until their boss, Mr. Grayson, loudly cleared his throat. The room was instantly silent. He shot the room a disapproving glance, his voice firm. "Let me remind you all that speculation about the CEO is not productive or professional. Back to work."

From the back, a voice piped up, "But isn’t it weird? It’s his company, and yet he’s never here. Doesn’t that bother anyone else?"

Before Mr. Grayson could respond, Sarah crossed her arms. "What bothers me is the disrespect. The partner company is basically saying we’re not good enough to close this deal. It’s insulting."

A murmur of agreement spread, though a few dissenters shook their heads.

"I don't know," the younger man said hesitantly. "Maybe they just want to meet the genius who is the force behind the company. Can you blame them?"

Sarah snorted. "It's a power play, that's what it is. They're trying to find out if we'll crawl."

The discussion was cut off as the intercom crackled to life. "All department heads, please report to the boardroom immediately."

Mr. Grayson looked back to his staff before proceeding to leave. The tension inside the executive boardroom was palpable. At the gleaming mahogany table, top executives sat in stiff silence, their expressions grim.

“This is outrageous,” snapped Mr. Holloway, a gray-haired senior executive. “We’ve worked tirelessly to finalize this partnership, and now they want to undermine us with this ridiculous demand? They’re treating us like amateurs!"

Opposite him, a poised woman pushed her glasses up her nose. "Relax, Mr. Holloway," she told him, breathing out slowly. "This isn't personal. They simply need to be reassured."

"Reassured?" He sneered. "Our record should be enough. If they don't have faith in us by now, they never will."

Leaning back in his chair, one of the younger executives snorted. "Let's not kid ourselves. The CEO has always been a mystery, and these people are catching on to the opportunity to lay eyes on him for themselves. The secrecy surrounding him makes this deal that much more appealing to them."

There was quiet as the executives exchanged skeptical glances.

Finally, Mr. Holloway bent forward, his voice little more than a whisper. "So, what's the plan? Are we really going to push Lucas into an appearance?"

The woman hesitated. "It's not our choice. Madam Maeve will determine it."

There was a serious silence in the room before Mr. Holloway ventured to say, "I only hope she does know what she's requesting of him."

Far from the office mayhem, Lucas was alone in his huge mansion. The gloomy room was lit by the glow of the large flat-screen television on the wall. The newsreader's voice droned with excitement that was barely contained.

"Rumors are rife—is Tianhu Enterprises' elusive CEO finally going to step out of the shadows? Lucas Carter has been a mystery for years, with not a single public appearance. Ever since that tragic accident that claimed his parents' lives, his grandmother, Madam Maeve, has fiercely guarded his privacy. But with this do-or-die deal on the line, is this the time when the world will finally get to meet the man behind the empire?"

Lucas snorted, rolling backward in his chair. "The man behind the empire," he echoed. "They always have to make it sound so melodramatic."

The smirk fell off as the screen cut to a shot of his grandmother leaving a high-society event. The caption read: Madam Maeve, Tianhu Enterprises' Gatekeeper.

There was a knock on the door, and he was interrupted from his thoughts. His secretary, Miss Charlie, entered with a thin tablet in her hand. "Sir, the executives just informed us—the partner company has officially requested your presence for the deal."

Lucas's expression darkened. He picked up the remote and switched off the TV. The room fell quiet.

"So, they want to test us," he said under his breath.

Miss Charlie hesitated before stepping closer. "Madam Maeve will have to talk to you about this first. She's already spoken of concerns for the risks."

"Of course she has," Lucas replied, a touch of bitterness in his voice. "She's always worrying. What are my options?"

Miss Charlie hesitated. "You can refuse."

Lucas snorted. "And give them a reason to question our credibility? No. If they require me, they'll have me. But on my terms."

Miss Charlie nodded, though her brow furrowed with concern. "I’ll make the arrangements. But sir… please consider speaking with Madam Maeve first."

Lucas didn’t respond. His gaze drifted toward the window, where the city lights twinkled in the distance. A world beyond his self-imposed isolation, waiting for him to step forward. Whether he liked it or not, his time in the shadows was coming to an end.