?Chapter 122:


    She stepped confidently to the front and said, “Good morning. I’m Sylvia Gilbert—and as of today, I’ll be serving as the chief executive officer of Neb.”


    The room was silent for a beat. Then a voice rang out, sharp and cold. “You’re just a manager parachuted in from the outside. Every project you’ve handled was handed to you by someone else. What gives you the right to be our CEO?”


    Ste turned toward the voice and found herself looking at a tall woman in a fitted gray suit—Docie Myers.


    She recognized the name. Sharp, ambitious—and from what she remembered, someone who held a decent amount of sway inside Neb. So what was this hostility about?


    Docie red at Ste with barely concealed disdain.


    She hadn’t juste to Neb for a career. She came for William. She’d worked hard, hoping her dedication would get her noticed—get her closer to him.


    But she’d never even seen his shadow.


    And now, out of nowhere, this woman was stepping in and taking the CEO seat.


    Why?!


    Docie stared at Ste, irritation brewing just beneath her polished exterior.


    She didn’t know exactly what kind of rtionship this woman had with William—but for her to walk in and instantly be appointed CEO?


    That wasn’t normal. No way that was just business.


    Ste, meanwhile, met her gaze calmly, a quiet curiosity in her eyes.


    Since joining Neb, Ste had barely had time to interact with the internal team. Between business trips, contract revisions, and back-to-back meetings, she hadn’t built personal connections yet.


    All she knew about Docie Myers was that she was sharp and respected—and clearly had something to prove.


    Ste stepped forward, her voiceposed but clear. “Ms. Myers, I’m not sure what prompted yourment earlier, but I’d like to rify a few things.” She looked directly at her. “First, I didn’tnd this role by relying on any man. Everyone in this room has seen what I’ve done for Neb over the past few weeks.”


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    She paused, letting that truth settle. “Second, I’d suggest we, as women, stop throwing around phrases like ‘climbing through a man’s bed.’ It’s cheap. And frankly? It’s beneath you.”


    Her voice didn’t waver—but there was a quiet edge to it, firm and self-assured. Ste could handle being disliked. But being reduced to someone’s arm candy? That she wouldn’t tolerate.


    She wasn’t someone’s wife, someone’s ex, or someone’s something. She had her own name—and she was going to make sure people used it.


    Referring to her as anything else would be disrespect.


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