I stared at her in disbelief.
‘Three years…?’ She nodded.
‘By then, you’ll have had enough time to establish yourself as CEO.’ ‘The shareholders will have seen your capabilities.’ ‘The Livingston Corporation will have recovered its reputation.’ She smiled sadly.
‘And neither of you will owe anyone anything anymore.’ I looked between the two of them.
Everything they said made sense.
Every explanation sounded reasonable.
Yet…
I couldn’t shake the strange feeling growing inside me.
It felt as though they were telling me the truth…
Just not the whole truth.
I still feel as if there’s more to this, but they’re just not telling me…..
<<<<>>>>>> Sometimes life comes with surprises—both the expected and the unexpected.
Who would have thought that one day I’d be forced to marry the last person I ever imagined…
just to protect the one thing my parents left behind?
The one thing that kept me connected to them.
Who would have thought that my adoptive brother and I would one day become engaged for the sake of preserving our families’ legacies?
Yet here I was.
One week after my birthday party.
One week after my engagement to Alexander Livingston.
Seated in the conference room of Johnson Culinary Group, surrounded by people who still didn’t believe in me.
The atmosphere felt heavier than usual.
Executives, directors and shareholders occupied every seat around the long conference table, their expressions carefully composed, yet I could still feel the weight of their gazes.
Some looked at me with curiosity.
Some with doubt.
Some didn’t even bother hiding their skepticism.
Every pair of eyes seemed to question whether I truly deserved to sit at the head of the table.
People who believed I wasn’t capable of leading the company on my own.
People who thought it took the backing of the Livingston family—and the engagement ring on my finger—for me to earn this seat.
My fingers unconsciously brushed against the diamond resting on my left hand.
The cool metal reminded me once again that everything had changed in just a single night.
Ever since that evening…
I hadn’t seen Alexander again.
It was almost as though he had simply placed the ring on my finger because it was expected of him…
Then quietly returned to his own life.
Somehow…
I knew that wasn’t far from the truth.
Uncle Shedrak and Aunt Rose had explained countless times why this marriage had to happen.
The partnership.
The companies.
The future both households were trying so desperately to protect.
Deep down…
I understood every single reason.
But understanding didn’t make it any easier.
I still couldn’t shake the feeling that I was the one benefiting the most from all of this.
Alexander was the one making the sacrifice.
The one forced to walk away from the woman he loved.
The one carrying everyone’s expectations without ever being asked what he truly wanted.
And despite knowing all of that…
There was nothing I could do to change it.
“Does anyone else have any objections regarding the appointment of Miss Alice Johnson as the new Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Culinary Group?” Uncle Shedrak’s calm voice echoed through the conference room, pulling me back to reality.
Silence answered him.
For several long seconds, no one spoke.
The shareholders exchanged subtle glances among themselves before one after another slowly shook their heads.
Whether they truly accepted me…
Or simply accepted the conditions attached to my appointment…
I couldn’t tell.
Seeing that no one opposed the motion, Uncle Shedrak gave a small nod.
“Very well.” “Since the agreed conditions have been fulfilled by both the Johnson and Livingston families, and there are no further objections from the board, the appointment is hereby approved.” He picked up a neatly bound file from the head of the conference table before sliding it toward me.
The sound of the folder against the polished wood seemed unusually loud.
With slightly trembling hands, I opened it.
My heartbeat quickened.
Printed neatly across the first page was the appointment document I had dreamed of seeing for years.
For a brief moment…
I couldn’t bring myself to turn the page.
Memories of my parents flashed through my mind.
Their smiles.
Their encouragement.
The countless evenings they had spent teaching me that this company wasn’t merely a business…
It was a family legacy.
A responsibility.
A home built by generations before me.
I slowly blinked away the emotions threatening to overwhelm me and carefully read through every page before picking up the pen resting beside the file.
Taking one slow, steady breath…
I lowered the pen to the paper.
My signature flowed across the page.
Simple.
Yet heavier than anything I had ever written.
In that single stroke…
I fulfilled the dream I had carried ever since losing my parents.
And at the same time…
Took one step closer to a marriage that would change the rest of my life forever.
“Congratulations, Miss Johnson.” “Congratulations.” One after another, the shareholders rose from their seats and came over to offer their congratulations before gradually leaving the conference room.
Some smiled sincerely.
Others merely extended polite handshakes.
A few simply nodded before walking away.
“Thank you very much,” I replied politely to each of them.
No matter what they truly thought of me…
Today marked the beginning of my responsibility.
Once the room had almost emptied, I quietly stood and followed Uncle Shedrak outside.
The executive corridor was beginning to return to its usual calm.
Secretaries hurried past carrying documents.
Employees greeted the departing shareholders respectfully.
Not far ahead, I noticed Uncle Shedrak speaking with one of the directors.
Not wanting to interrupt, I quietly stepped aside and waited.
“Miss Johnson.” I turned at the sound of my name to see Mr.
Vaughn, one of the company’s most influential shareholders, walking toward me.
Despite his age, his posture remained straight and commanding.
He stopped a few steps away, studying me in silence before offering a courteous smile.
“Mr.
Vaughn,” I greeted politely.
“Is there something you wished to discuss?” “I simply wanted to congratulate you once again.” His smile remained perfectly composed.
“It’s rather rare to see someone so young step into the position of Chief Executive Officer.” “Thank you.” I returned a small smile.
“I’ve worked hard for this opportunity, and I’ll do everything I can to lead the company well.” “I sincerely hope so, Miss Johnson.” Though he was still smiling…
His voice carried a weight that immediately made me straighten.
“Leading a company with the reputation and legacy of Johnson Culinary Group requires far more than ambition.” “It requires discipline.” “Wisdom.” “And above all…” “Sacrifice.” He paused deliberately.
His sharp eyes never leaving mine.
“I trust you understand what’s truly at stake…”