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 5
Ethan didn’t sleep that night.
He checked Lily’s bedroom three times.
He checked every door.
Every window.
He looked at the security camera feeds until sunrise.
Lily finally woke up.
“Dad?”
“Morning.”
“You look tired.”
“Long night.”
She smiled.
“Did you finish your report?”
“Not yet.”
She climbed into his arms.
“You’ll be okay.”
Ethan smiled.
“Always.”
He drove her to school himself.
Then called the police.
He reported the threat.
But without a specific suspect or direct evidence, there wasn’t much they could do.
Detective Marcus Reed advised him to document everything.
“Don’t confront anyone.”
“I understand.”
“And increase your daughter’s security.”
Ethan nodded.
That afternoon, Victoria called.
“Come to my office.”
When he arrived, she closed the door.
“You should take a leave.”
Ethan frowned.
“Why?”
“Because this investigation is becoming personal.”
“It’s already personal.”
She looked at him.
“I know.”
“Then help me.”
Victoria was silent.
“Did your uncle threaten my daughter?”
“I don’t know.”
“You know something.”
She looked away.
“My uncle is dangerous.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
“How dangerous?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re protecting him.”
“No.”
“Then who are you protecting?”
Victoria looked at him.
“You.”
Ethan stared.
“Why?”
“Because five years ago, my father told me something.”
“What?”
“Never underestimate the people who believe they are entitled to your company.”
Ethan didn’t understand.
Then Victoria opened a drawer.
Inside was an old file.
“Richard has been trying to control Sterling for years.”
“Then why is he on the board?”
“Because my father allowed it.”
“Why?”
Victoria sighed.
“Family.”
Ethan understood.
She continued.
“My father became sick two years ago. When he stepped back, Richard started taking more control.”
“And you?”
“I thought I could manage him.”
“You couldn’t.”
“No.”
“Why didn’t you fire him?”
“He owns twelve percent of the company.”
Ethan nodded.
“Then we need shareholders.”
Victoria looked at him.
“That’s where you come in.”
“Me?”
“You have credibility with employees.”
“I don’t own shares.”
“No.”
She paused.
“But Charles does.”
Ethan realized.
“Whitmore.”
Victoria nodded.
“He’s not investing because of the company.”
Ethan frowned.
“He’s investing because he sees something here.”
“Yes.”
“Me?”
Victoria looked uncomfortable.
“Yes.”
The admission surprised him.
“Why?”
“Because you’re the only person who has challenged my assumptions without wanting anything from me.”
Ethan laughed softly.
“That’s a low bar.”
Victoria almost smiled.
“No.”
She opened another folder.
Inside were employee reports.
Performance reviews.
Letters.
Ethan’s name appeared repeatedly.
Reliable.
Innovative.
Trusted.
Leadership potential.
Victoria looked at him.
“I never read them.”
Ethan stared.
“That sounds right.”
She winced.
“I deserved that.”
He nodded.
Then she said something unexpected.
“I want you to become chief operating officer.”
Ethan froze.
“What?”
“COO.”
“I have a daughter.”
“I know.”
“I can’t travel every week.”
“Then don’t.”
“I don’t have an MBA.”
“I don’t care.”
“I’ve never worked in a corporate office.”
“You don’t need to.”
Ethan looked at her.
“You’re serious.”
“Yes.”
Before he could answer, the door opened.
Charles Whitmore walked in.
“I hope he says yes.”
Ethan looked at him.
“Were you listening?”
“Yes.”
Victoria sighed.
Charles smiled.
“Ethan, I’m going to ask you something.”
Ethan waited.
“What’s the one thing this company needs most?”
Ethan thought.
“Someone willing to tell the truth.”
Charles nodded.
“Exactly.”
Victoria looked at Ethan.
“Take the position.”
Ethan looked down.
Then his phone buzzed.
A message from Lily’s school.
UNAUTHORIZED PERSON ATTEMPTED TO PICK UP YOUR DAUGHTER.
Ethan stood so quickly his chair fell.
He looked at Victoria.
“Someone went after my daughter.”
Victoria’s face went pale.
Charles was already reaching for his phone.
And suddenly, the promotion was no longer the most important thing in the room.
