Chapter 2: The Billionaire CEO

Sandra's heart pounded so loudly she was certain everyone in the boardroom could hear it. The silence was unbearable. Dozens of executives stared at her as if she had committed a crime simply by walking through the wrong door. And at the center of it all sat Fredie Kingston. The billionaire CEO. The man whose name appeared on magazine covers, business journals, and financial news channels around the world. Yet none of those photos had prepared Sandra for seeing him in person. He was even more intimidating up close. Sharp features. Dark, penetrating eyes. A perfectly tailored black suit that seemed to command respect on its own. Most unsettling of all was the calmness in his expression. He wasn't angry. He wasn't shouting. He was simply looking at her. And somehow, that was far worse. "Who are you?" Fredie repeated. Sandra swallowed. "S-Sandra Frederick." His gaze remained fixed on her. "A department?" "Marketing." One of the executives cleared his throat. Another exchanged an amused look with a colleague. Sandra wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. First day. First mistake. Record-breaking disaster. Fredie leaned back slightly in his chair. "Are you aware this is a restricted board meeting?" "Yes." The answer slipped out before Sandra could stop herself. Immediately realizing what she had said, her eyes widened. "I mean—no. No, I wasn't aware." A few executives chuckled. Sandra wanted to disappear. For the first time, something changed in Fredie's expression. Not amusement. Not exactly. Interest. The smallest flicker of it. "You seem uncertain." Heat rushed to her cheeks. "I'm lost." The confession escaped before she could think. More laughter echoed around the room. This time even a few senior managers smiled. Sandra closed her eyes briefly. Wonderful. Now everyone thought she was incompetent. But instead of dismissing her, Fredie surprised everyone. Including himself. "Then perhaps you should find your orientation room." The room fell silent again. Sandra blinked. That was it? She wasn't fired? She wasn't being escorted out? "Yes, sir." "Immediately." "Of course." She turned and practically fled from the room. The moment the door closed behind her, she released the breath she had been holding. "Oh my God." Her hands trembled. She pressed her back against the wall. What had just happened? Most importantly— How had she survived? Inside the boardroom, the meeting resumed. Or at least, it tried to. Several executives exchanged knowing glances. One finally spoke. "Interesting." Fredie didn't look up from the documents in front of him. "What is?" "The new employee." "I have no idea what you're talking about." The executive smiled. "Of course you don't." Fredie ignored him. Yet despite himself, his thoughts briefly returned to the young woman who had burst into the room. Most people froze around him. Most people became nervous. Most people tried far too hard to impress him. Sandra Frederick had simply told the truth. She was lost. For some reason, he found that refreshing. Meanwhile, Sandra finally located the correct conference room. The orientation leader was still speaking when she quietly slipped inside. Nobody seemed to notice her return. Except the woman sitting beside her. "Where did you disappear to?" Sandra groaned. "You don't want to know." The woman laughed softly. "I'm Mia." "Sandra." "Nice to meet you." Sandra smiled gratefully. At least she had already made one friendly connection. The remainder of orientation passed without disaster. A miracle. By lunchtime, the new hires were free to explore the building before reporting to their departments. Sandra followed Mia into the employee cafeteria. The space looked more like a luxury restaurant than a workplace dining area. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline. Employees gathered around tables discussing projects and deadlines. Everything felt sophisticated. Important. A world away from the life Sandra had known growing up. Mia grabbed a tray. "So." Sandra immediately recognized that tone. "So what?" "You met him." Sandra froze. "Who?" "The CEO." Sandra nearly dropped her tray. "How do you know?" "Everyone knows." Sandra groaned. Of course they did. Office gossip apparently traveled faster than light. Mia laughed. "Relax. Nobody thinks you're in trouble." "I interrupted a board meeting." "Exactly." "And?" "And you're still employed." Sandra frowned. Mia lowered her voice. "That's unusual." Before Sandra could ask what she meant, movement near the cafeteria entrance caught everyone's attention. Conversations stopped. Employees straightened. Some even stood. Sandra turned. Fredie Kingston had entered the cafeteria. The effect was immediate. The room changed. Power had a presence. And his presence dominated everything. Several executives followed him. Staff members stepped aside instinctively. Sandra suddenly understood why people found him intimidating. It wasn't just his position. It was the way he carried himself. As though he belonged at the center of every room. As though everyone else simply orbited around him. For one brief second, Fredie's gaze swept across the cafeteria. Then it stopped. On her. Sandra's breath caught. The moment lasted less than a heartbeat. Then he looked away and continued walking. Nothing more. Nothing less. Yet her pulse refused to slow. "Did that just happen?" Mia whispered. Sandra stared after him. "I don't know." But deep down, she had a feeling. And for reasons she couldn't explain, that feeling made her nervous. Very nervous. The rest of the afternoon passed quickly. Sandra was settling into her department when a shadow appeared beside her desk. She looked up. A sharply dressed woman stood there. Elegant. Professional. Unsmiling. "Ms. Frederick?" "Yes?" "The CEO would like to see you." Sandra blinked. "The CEO?" "Immediately." Every head in the department turned toward her. The room fell silent. Sandra's stomach dropped. She had survived the boardroom incident. Hadn't she? Then why was Fredie Kingston calling her to his office? And why did the woman delivering the message look so serious? As Sandra rose from her chair, a terrible thought crossed her mind. Maybe she wasn't safe after all.