Alexander’s POV

The next morning, I woke before sunrise.

For the first time in over two weeks, I followed my normal routine.

I went downstairs to the gym and completed a workout before returning upstairs to get ready.

After showering and changing into a formal suit, I headed downstairs.

Maria looked surprised the moment she saw me.

"You’re going to the company?"

I adjusted my cufflinks and nodded.

"Yes."

Relief immediately flashed across her face.

"That’s good, sir. Your breakfast is ready."

"Thank you, Maria."

I sat down and forced myself to eat a few bites before standing again.

After picking up my briefcase, I headed outside.

Jim was already waiting by the car.

The drive to Blackwood Dominion was unusually quiet.

I sat by the window watching the city pass by.

When the familiar skyscraper finally came into view, my gaze lingered on it.

This was my family’s legacy.

The empire my grandparents had spent their entire lives building.

The empire they had entrusted to me.

I was still afraid.

Afraid of disappointing Nana.

Afraid of failing the people who depended on me.

But one thing had become clear.

I couldn’t keep running from my responsibilities.

The car came to a stop.

I stepped out.

The moment I entered the building, the atmosphere shifted.

Employees who noticed me immediately straightened.

Some looked surprised.

Others looked visibly relieved.

"Good morning, Chairman Blackwood."

"Welcome back, sir."

I acknowledged them with a nod before making my way toward the executive floor.

When the elevator doors opened, Vice Chairman Miles and several executives were already waiting.

The moment they saw me, relief washed over their faces.

"Chairman Blackwood."

I gave a slight nod.

The tension hanging over everyone seemed to disappear instantly.

"Your office is ready, sir," Miles said.

"Show me."

Without wasting another second, they led me down the corridor.

When we arrived, I stopped briefly.

The office doors stood open.

The office that once belonged to Grandpa.

Then Nana.

And now...

Me.

Standing near the entrance was Tristin.

The moment he saw me, a smile appeared on his face.

"Alexander."

He stepped forward.

"Welcome back."

"Thank you."

I walked into the office.

The familiar scent hit me immediately.

My gaze landed on the large desk.

For a moment, memories flashed through my mind.

Grandpa sitting there while reviewing reports.

Nana standing beside him, arguing about company decisions.

The countless times she had dragged me into this office and lectured me about responsibility.

My chest tightened.

I stood there silently.

"Are you alright, Alexander?"

Tristin’s voice pulled me back.

I exhaled slowly.

Then walked toward the chair.

The moment I sat down, a strange feeling settled over me.

I had expected the weight on my shoulders to become heavier.

Instead, it felt as though part of that burden had finally eased.

Maybe because I was finally where I was supposed to be.

The executives exchanged glances before remaining standing.

"Have a seat."

Everyone quickly took their places around the meeting table.

Several files were placed in front of me.

I opened the first one.

"What did I miss?"

The room immediately became serious.

Vice Chairman Miles began explaining the company’s current situation.

The recent losses.

Pending projects.

Shareholder concerns.

Public relations issues.

And the instability caused by the vacant chairman position.

I listened quietly while flipping through the reports.

After nearly thirty minutes, I closed one of the files and looked up.

"So what are we doing to regain the confidence of both the public and the shareholders?"

My gaze shifted to Tristin.

He immediately answered.

"We have several products under Éclat Beauty currently in development."

He slid another file toward me.

"We’re preparing for a major year-end launch."

Vice Chairman Miles nodded.

"The launch strategy is already in place, but we’re facing delays during preparation."

"What kind of delays?"

"The testing phase."

He opened another report.

"We’re still evaluating the effectiveness of several products before final approval."

I studied the documents for a few seconds.

And my mind immediately drifted to Alicia.

During the two years she worked under Éclat Beauty, she had always made sure everything ran perfectly.

From production to marketing, she paid attention to every little detail.

Nothing escaped her.

She made sure product quality met the highest standards and that every launch proceeded smoothly.

I couldn’t help recalling the launch from a few months ago.

Even during the scandal involving Lilian, Alicia had managed to turn the situation around and make the launch a success.

Back then, I had thought that she arranged all those interactive games and promotional activities involving Lilian and me because she didn’t love me.

Now, thinking about it , I realized how much she had endured.

Whether it was work or family, Alicia always gave everything she had to the things she cared about.

The discussion continued around me, but my attention had long drifted elsewhere.

"Chairman Blackwood?"

I blinked.

"Chairman Blackwood, are you listening?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up.

Every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on me.

Questioning.

Waiting.

I exchanged a glance with Tristin.

He seemed to immediately understand what had happened.

A moment later, he looked toward the others.

The executives exchanged knowing looks before slowly rising from their seats.

"We’ll give you some time to settle in, Chairman Blackwood," Vice Chairman Miles said.

"We’ll prepare for an official conference once you’re ready."

I nodded.

The group quietly gathered their files and left the office.

Soon, the room fell silent.

Only Tristin remained seated.

I leaned back slightly and looked at him. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"I heard from Maria that you came looking for me at the villa."

He released a quiet sigh and sat a little straighter.

"I heard you went looking for Alicia."

At the mention of her name, a familiar ache settled in my chest.

Tristin seemed to notice the change in my expression immediately.

"Any progress?" he asked carefully.

I shook my head.

"No."

Silence stretched between us.

Then Tristin spoke again.

"Alexander, I know you’re here because you’re trying to respect Nana’s wishes."

He paused briefly.

"If you had the choice, you’d still be out there searching for Alicia, wouldn’t you?"

I lowered my gaze.

"Not that I’ve stopped."

My voice came out quieter than I intended.

Tristin let out a sigh.

"In order to pull the company out of this situation, we’re going to have to work together."

He leaned forward slightly.

"But that can’t happen if you’re constantly distracted."

"You don’t need to worry about me, Tristin."

I folded the file shut.

"Let’s focus on what’s important right now."

He stared at me for a moment.

"Her name wasn’t even mentioned."

My hand paused.

"Earlier, they were only discussing her department, yet you still got distracted."

His voice wasn’t judgmental.

Just honest.

"If we’re going to fix everything, you’ll have to get used to hearing her name."

For the first time since arriving, the emotionless expression I’d been wearing cracked slightly...