The next morning, Wayne Corporation was already alive with activity before eight o’clock.
Employees hurried through the lobby carrying files, tablets, and coffee cups.
The upcoming East Africa Expansion Project had everyone working under pressure.
Lily arrived early, as she always did.
She unlocked Damian’s office, arranged the day’s files in order of priority, checked his meeting schedule, and placed a fresh cup of black coffee on his desk.
A few minutes later, Damian walked in.
He paused when he saw the organized desk.
“You came early.”
Lily smiled.
“I wanted everything to be ready before you arrived.”
Damian nodded in approval.
“Good.”
He took a sip of his coffee.
“It tastes different.”
Lily looked worried.
“I’m sorry.
Is something wrong?”
“No.”
He took another sip.
“It’s better.”
A small smile appeared on Lily’s face.
“I’m glad.”
Just then, Marcus Reed knocked on the door.
“Sir, the directors have arrived.”
Damian picked up a folder.
“Let’s begin.”
The Board Meeting
The large conference room was filled with directors and senior executives.
Lily sat quietly beside Damian, taking notes as the meeting progressed.
One of the directors, Mr. Richard Coleman, stood up.
“Our partners in Mombasa have requested an in-person meeting.”
Another director nodded.
“The negotiations are too important to handle online.”
Damian folded his hands.
“When?”
“This Friday.”
“Three days.”
The room became silent.
Damian looked at his calendar.
“I’ll go.”
“Excellent.”
“And you’ll need someone to manage the documents and presentations.”
Another director spoke.
“I suggest Miss Carter.”
Several people looked toward Lily.
She looked surprised.
Damian didn’t hesitate.
“So do I.”
The decision was final.
After the Meeting
As employees left the conference room, whispers spread immediately.
“She’s traveling with the CEO?”
“Already?”
“They’ll be together for three days.”
Vanessa overheard everything.
Her expression darkened.
“So it’s true.”
She turned and walked away without another word.
Victoria’s Surprise Visit
That afternoon, Victoria returned to Wayne Corporation carrying a bouquet of white lilies.
She walked into Damian’s office without waiting to be announced.
“I thought you might like these.”
Damian looked up from his laptop.
“Thank you.”
She placed the flowers in a crystal vase.
“I heard you’re traveling.”
“I am.”
She smiled.
“I’ll come with you.”
Damian looked at her calmly.
“It’s a business trip.”
“I know.”
“I can stay at the same hotel.”
“I’ll be busy.”
Victoria laughed softly.
“You always were.”
Her smile faded.
“I hope your assistant doesn’t mind sharing your attention.”
Damian closed the file in front of him.
“Lily is my executive assistant.”
“Nothing more.”
Victoria studied his face carefully.
“I hope that’s still true by the time you come back.”
Without waiting for a reply, she walked out.
Outside the office, she almost bumped into Lily.
“Oh.”
Victoria smiled sweetly.
“Lily.”
“Good afternoon.”
“I heard you’re traveling with Damian.”
“Yes.
It’s for work.”
“I’m sure it is.”
There was something unsettling about the way Victoria said those words.
“Take good care of him.”
Then she walked away.
Lily watched her disappear down the hallway.
For reasons she couldn’t explain…
Victoria made her nervous.
Preparing for the Trip
The next two days passed quickly.
Lily worked tirelessly, preparing presentations, organizing contracts, confirming hotel reservations, and checking flight details.
On Thursday evening, Damian stepped out of his office carrying a small folder.
“Miss Carter.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Everything ready?”
She handed him a checklist.
“Flight tickets confirmed.”
“Hotel reservations completed.”
“Meeting schedules printed.”
“Presentation backed up on three devices.”
Damian looked impressed.
“You think ahead.”
“I try to.”
He closed the folder.
“We leave tomorrow at six.”
“I’ll be at the airport by five.”
He nodded.
“I expect nothing less.”
As he walked away, Lily couldn’t help smiling.
For the first time since joining Wayne Corporation, she felt that she had truly earned Damian’s confidence.
She had no idea that someone else was determined to destroy that trust.
Elsewhere…
Victoria sat in the back seat of her luxury car.
She looked at a photograph on her phone.
It showed Damian and Lily leaving the office together after work.
She slowly smiled.
“So…”
She whispered.
“If I can’t stop this trip…”
“I’ll make sure it’s one neither of you will ever forget.”
She picked up her phone and dialed a number.
“Everything is in place?”
A man’s voice answered.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good.”
Her smile widened.
“Then let the game begin.”