Ruby sat in the back seat, her phone pressed to her ear while files lay open on her lap. She multitasked effortlessly, making calls, skimming reports, and firing questions at Samuel.
"So," Ruby said, eyes still on the document, "walk me through the Byron Corporation. From the top." Samuel nodded. "It's a family business. Max's grandfather founded it and passed it down to the Byron family. We're now in the third generation."
"And the board?" Ruby asked.
"They're shareholders first, family second. Money matters more to them than the company itself. Max has been the real backbone for years. When he decided not to have an heir involved, Seron was placed in charge."
Ruby hummed softly. "That explains a lot." Her phone buzzed Max calling.
"Hello?" Ruby answered. "Mrs. Max Byron,"
"When did you get my number?" she asked, surprised.
Max chuckled on the other end. "That was easy. I'm calling to tell you something important. Don't be early." Ruby blinked. "Oh… okay."
"Make them wait," Max said calmly.
"Alright."
"One thing they can't stand," he added, "is waiting."
Ruby smiled slightly. "Noted."
"Especially Seron," Max continued. "It's going to mess with his head."
"Got it."
"I'm tapping into the boardroom cameras," Max said casually. "I want to see their faces." Ruby leaned back, confidence settling in. "I'm more excited about this than you are… can't wait to see his face."
"That's my girl," Max said before ending the call. Ruby lowered the phone, a slow smile spreading across her face. Seron had no idea what was coming.
–
Seron stepped out of his office fully dressed, but the tightness in his chest refused to ease. Acacia stood beside him, fixing his tie, talking softly, too softly. Before she could finish, "What is this I'm hearing?" Mia Byron snapped as she walked to them.
Seron stiffened. "I don't know, Aunt." Mia scoffed. "Your father did this for a reason. That old fool, he knew this would shake us."
"And it worked," Andy Malvin, her husband, added dryly as he joined them. Seron turned sharply. "Did you two come here to stress me out, or are you here for the meeting?"
Mia crossed her arms, eyes cold. "I came to hear what this so-called CEO has to say." She smirked. "To watch her embarrass herself."
Then her expression hardened. "And to figure out how we take control back."
"I'm curious to see how this new CEO plans to tie our hands," Malvin said dryly.
He was used to being ignored, the poor man who married an heiress and became invisible the moment he entered the Byron family. "Are you done with your stupid-ass comments?" Mia snapped.
Malvin shrugged. "Damn right."
"You all need to calm down," Acacia cut in. "If you let your emotions run wild, you'll bring the company down. The board needs to stand united on this."
"She's not even here yet," Seron said sharply. "And it's her first day, and she's already annoying the hell out of me."
"So," Mia asked, tilting her head, "have you decided how you're going to handle this?"
"Absolutely," Seron replied with a fake smile. "I'll be the sweet, charming Seron while vomiting in my mouth every time I look at her."
Mia smirked. "Sounds like a perfect plan."
"And what if she's pretty?" Acacia asked casually. Seron shot her a look. "Do I look like I'm in the mood for jokes this morning?"
"I'm sorry," Acacia said quickly. "Forgive me."
"Dumb bitch," Mia muttered under her breath.
Seron ran a hand through his hair. "I don't like this. This whole thing is testing everything I know about myself."
"You'll be fine," Mia said dismissively.
"I will be fine," Seron snapped. "Not that it matters, she's late. But is everyone in position?"
"Yes," Malvin replied. "Everyone's gathered in the lobby to meet her when she steps off the elevator."
Seron froze. "Gathered… in the lobby?"
"Yeah."
His jaw tightened. "What special treatment is this? I didn't get that kind of welcome when I took over. Who told them to do that?"
Acacia frowned. "This is ridiculous."
"Mr. Max Byron sent the email," Malvin said. Acacia blinked. "My future father-in-law?" Seron shoved his hands into his pockets, patience thinning by the second.
"Yes," Malvin continued. "He sent an email instructing everyone to gather in the lobby to welcome the new CEO."
Mia's eyes narrowed. "So my cousin personally arranged a grand entrance for her."She let out a sharp laugh. "Who exactly is this woman?"
Seron, Acacia, Mia, Malvin, the board members, and staff stood gathered in the lobby, waiting. And waiting. Just as Max had advised, Ruby took her time. She was about to face her ex-husband there was no room for weakness. Not today.
The elevator doors finally slid open. Ruby stepped out, Samuel a pace behind her.
The air instantly changed. Tension thickened the room, heavy and suffocating.
At first, neither Seron nor Acacia thought much of it. They barely looked at her, too busy with their assumptions. In their minds, Ruby had come to beg. To plead. To crawl back.
A smug smile tugged at the corner of Seron's lips, looking at how beautiful she looked, he didn't mind taking her back.
Mia, however, didn't recognize Ruby. She only recognized Samuel. Curious, she stepped forward, her practiced smile firmly in place.
"Welcome," Mia said warmly, eyes sweeping over Ruby. "Don't you look beautiful?"
"Thank you," Ruby replied calmly. "We're all so glad you could join us," Mia continued.
Seron stepped forward immediately, irritation flashing across his face, ready to correct her, to announce that Ruby had no business being here, that she certainly wasn't the CEO his father appointed.
"Join you?" Ruby repeated, her voice steady but sharp enough to cut through the room.
"Yes," Mia replied, suddenly confused.
"I didn't come to join you," Ruby said, lifting her chin. "I came to head this company."
Silence. Absolute silence. Seron staggered back a step, shock draining the color from his face.
No.This wasn't possible. Not Ruby. Not his Ruby. This had to be a joke. Mia blinked once, then quickly recovered, forcing a polite smile.
"Of course," she said smoothly, masking her disbelief. "Welcome… to Byron Corporation."
Ruby's gaze slid past her straight to Seron. Calm. Cold. Unapologetic. And in that moment, Seron knew. This wasn't a mistake. This was his reckoning.
"The girl has teeth," one board member murmured under his breath. "Yeah," another agreed quietly.
Samuel stepped forward, his voice clear and formal. "Everyone, this is Ruby Byron. She is our new CEO." A wave of shock rippled through the room. Those who recognized her froze mouths slightly open, disbelief written all over their faces.
Ruby took a step forward. "Thank you," she said calmly. "My name is Ruby. But you will all refer to me as Mrs. Maximilian Byron."
Applause erupted across the lobby. Everyone clapped, except Seron and Acacia
His jaw tightened. His hands curled into fists at his sides. Acacia leaned closer, her voice low and urgent.
"Don't," she whispered. "Handle this calmly. Making a scene will only push your father further away." Seron swallowed his rage. The clapping continued.
"All shareholders are present," Mia announced, forcing a professional smile. "And the boardroom is ready."
"Great," Ruby replied. "This way," Mia said, stepping aside to lead her. Ruby didn't move.
"No," she said evenly. "I want to see my office first." Mia paused. "Of course. Right this way."
"No," Ruby repeated, her gaze shifting. She lifted her hand and pointed.
"I want him to show me." Every eye followed her finger to Seron. Seron looked like he was about to explode. Ruby's lips curved into the faintest smile.