make. It was overwhelming, to say the least-names, titles, departments, expectations. Everyone's eyes were on me, but behind those polite

finally over, I was lef

idn't feel

g bookshelf filled with dusty hardcovers. The globe in the corner. The soft leather c

ked un

he three of us-Dad, Mom, and me. I smiled sadly. It was his birthday, and we celebrated it in Aspen. A rare trip where none of us were busy. Just the

the drawer and

like soldiers, paperclips in a small black container, folders stacked by color. He was a

still living in my new office bubble when suddenly, Lauren

ve Mr. Stone

old Lauren and I qui

t bl

it stepped into the room. He carried a briefcase in one hand and the k

greeted him, and gave

said as he took the seat

can I do for you ? » I as

's company owed me a lot of money. Since now that your fath

say ? » I stuttered, trying

rs now, owed me 25 million doll

On my first

in hand. » I rambled. « I still need to go check our

ase and practically threw a few papers onto my desk. « These papers will confirm the debt, and it will prove that I a

od and stormed out of the

ghtly open. The papers stared back at

hell just

ust literally got buried yesterday. Could he have just waited for a few days? Let t

have made a

y is 25 million

k. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. I was supposed to step in, take control,

or having an am

ge's

already piling up on my desk like an avalanche of obligation, and Grandfather's request seemed

wanted me to be mar

gestion. It was

n blink when he said it-I just nodded, like the perfect grandson I

ould keep me grounded, focused, turn me into someone he could proudly pass the company to. I w

yline. The world looked so small from up here. Lights blinked on in b

ria

ded so.

said he had someone in mind-someone who 'fits our family'.

turned, expecting one of my assistants,

I found a small en

wing who it was from. Grand

A photo. And beneath it, just one sente

ting her next

ped into my chair again a

. Business. Legacy. Everyone wanted something from me. I didn't know

n my hand and wondered what kind of girl

f she didn't hav