A Female CEO Made a Single Dad Pick Up Her VIP Guest—and Then the VIP Asked, “Why Isn’t He the One Running Your Company?”
Chapter 11
Ethan became CEO six months later.
The announcement caused headlines across the business world.
THE SINGLE DAD WHO STARTED AS A FACILITIES SUPERVISOR BECOMES CEO.
Some called it inspirational.
Others called it reckless.
Ethan ignored both.
His first move was simple.
He kept the operations team.
Every person who had helped him over the years received an opportunity to advance.
His second move was even simpler.
He installed an open-door policy.
Employees could contact him directly.
His third move was personal.
He created a family-support program.
Flexible schedules.
Childcare assistance.
Emergency leave.
Mental health support.
Victoria watched the changes.
“You’re making my company unrecognizable.”
Ethan smiled.
“Our company.”
She smiled back.
Their relationship remained quiet.
Until one evening, Lily asked Victoria:
“When are you going to be my stepmom?”
Victoria nearly dropped her glass.
Ethan covered his face.
“Lily.”
“What?”
“We haven’t discussed that.”
Lily looked at Victoria.
“Do you want to?”
Victoria laughed.
“I like you.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“She’s terrifying.”
Ethan whispered.
“She gets it from me.”
Victoria smiled.
Later that night, Ethan apologized.
“She says whatever she’s thinking.”
“I like that.”
“Don’t encourage her.”
Victoria looked at him.
“Ethan.”
“Yes?”
“I think she already sees us as a family.”
He looked toward the living room.
Lily was asleep on the couch.
He smiled.
“She does.”
Victoria took his hand.
“I don’t want to take her mother’s place.”
“You won’t.”
“I don’t want to.”
“You don’t have to.”
She looked at him.
“What do you want?”
Ethan answered honestly.
“You.”
Victoria smiled.
“Good.”
They kissed.
For the first time.
No cameras.
No boardroom.
No strategy.
Just them.
But the peace didn’t last.
The next morning, a threat appeared in Ethan’s office.
A photograph.
Lily.
Outside school.
On the back:
THE FIRST CEO DIED.
THE SECOND LOST EVERYTHING.
YOU WON’T BE THE THIRD.
Ethan’s face hardened.
Victoria read it.
“Who?”
“We don’t know.”
They increased security.
The investigation revealed a connection to North Star.
A former employee.
Someone who believed the company had been stolen from his family.
His name was Michael Grey.
He had lost everything during the fraud investigation.
He blamed Ethan.
And he wanted revenge.
But there was something strange.
He had no access to Ethan’s office.
Someone inside was helping him.
They searched access records.
One name appeared.
David Chen.
Ethan’s executive assistant.
Ethan couldn’t believe it.
“David?”
Victoria nodded.
“He’s been with the company for ten years.”
They confronted him.
He confessed.
He had been threatened.
Michael had kidnapped his brother.
David had been forced to provide access.
“We need to find him,” Ethan said.
Police traced Michael.
A warehouse.
The same warehouse where Sterling stored old equipment.
Ethan wanted to go.
Victoria stopped him.
“No.”
“Lily is involved.”
“You’re the CEO.”
“Exactly.”
“Then let the police do their job.”
Ethan looked at her.
She was right.
For once, he listened.
The police entered.
Michael was arrested.
David’s brother was rescued.
And the threat ended.
That night, Ethan sat beside Victoria.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For stopping me.”
She smiled.
“You’re learning.”
“So are you.”
She leaned against him.
“I love you.”
He froze.
She looked nervous.
“I didn’t plan to say that.”
Ethan smiled.
“Good.”
“Why?”
“Because now I know it’s real.”
He kissed her.
And for the first time, there was no doubt.
