Nexus of Fate

Chapter 1

Meet the Bennett

The hospital doors open as the paramedics rush in, pushing a stretcher with a man lying motionless. His face was pale, and his chest barely moved with shallow breaths.

"He's in cardiac arrest!" One of the paramedics shouted as they wheeled him into the emergency room.

A nurse ran ahead, clearing the path. "Clear the room! We need all hands on deck!"

Doctors and nurses quickly surrounded the man as they moved him onto the bed. One of the doctors, Dr. Meyer, leaned over him, feeling for a pulse.

"No pulse," Dr Meyer said calmly but urgently. "We need to start CPR now!"

Another doctor, Dr Lee, grabbed the defibrillator paddles. "Charging to 200!" She announced. The machine buzzed as it powered up.

"Come on, stay with us," one of the nurses whispered as Dr. Meyer began chest compressions, pressing down firmly on the man's chest.

"Charging ready," Dr. Lee said, positioning the paddles on the man's chest. "Everyone clear!" She pressed the button, and the man's body jolted on the bed.

"Still no rhythm," Dr. Lee said, tensed.

"Keep the conversations going," Dr. Meyer instructed. "Let's push one milligram of epinephrine," he added, looking at the nurse already preparing the syringe.

As the nurse injected the drug, Dr. Meyer continued compressions. "Check the rhythm again," he said without pausing.

Dr. Lee looked at the heart monitor, shaking her head. "No change."

"Let's give him another shock," Dr. Meyer said, nodding to Dr. Lee.

"Charging to 300," Dr. Lee called out. The machine buzzed louder this time. "Clear!"

Again, the man's body jolted as the shock was delivered. Everyone in the room held their breath, eyes fixed on the heart monitor.

"Come on, come on," Dr. Meyer muttered.

The monitor beeped. A slow, steady rhythm appeared on the screen.

"We've got a pulse!" Dr. Lee exclaimed, relieved.

"Good work, everyone," Dr. Meyer said, stepping back. He took a deep breath. "Let's get him stabilized and up to the ICU."

FLASHBACK

Camilla Bennett, a 23-year-old, young, strong and ambitious lady, walked elegantly into Nexus Global, her heels softly clicking on the polished marble floor as she walked through the sleek glass doors. Her dark, wavy hair, styled in loose waves, and deep brown eyes radiate as she walks.

Her red, short, pencilled mouth skirt, accompanied by a white turtle neck top, commands the employees' attention as she passes. The office was already busy with activity early that morning. Employees greeted her with smiles, their respect for her seen in their eyes. She returned their greetings warmly, smilingly, as she made her way to her office.

Nexus Global was more than just a company to Camilla - it was her family's legacy. Founded by her father, Robert Bennett, nearly three decades ago, it had grown from a small startup to one of the country's leading importers and sellers of smartphones and accessories. The company had always been at the forefront of innovation, adapting quickly to changes in the tech industry. This adaptability was proof of her father's leadership.

Camilla paused for a moment beside the large windows in the hallway, admiring the city below. The view from the top floor was stunning, with skyscrapers stretching as far as the eye could see. Her attention did not focus on the view; it centred on the sense of purpose that arose from being part of something much bigger than herself. Nexus Global wasn't just a business - it was her future, responsibility, and passion.

She arrived at her office and opened the door. The space was elegant yet functional, with a large desk at the centre of the room. Framed pictures of past product launches, awards, and certificates that Nexus Global had earned over the years were on the walls. A photo of her father, smiling broadly at one of those events, was displayed on her desk.

Camilla sat down and took a deep breath, ready to dive into the day's work. She loved the mornings when she could go through her emails, plan her schedule, and set the day's goals before the chaos of meetings and decisions took over. This routine gives her a kind of control, a feeling that everything is in place.

The door to her office opened, and her father walked in. Robert Bennett was a tall man in his late fifties with greying hair and a presence that commanded respect. Even now, as he approached retirement age, there was a vitality about him that was impossible to ignore. His eyes sparkled with the same energy that had driven him to build Nexus Global from the ground up.

"Good morning, darling," he said with a warm smile, sitting opposite her desk.

"Morning, Dad," Camilla replied, smiling back at him. "How was your meeting with the investors yesterday?" She inquired.

"Productive," he said, leaning back in his chair.

"They're very pleased with our performance this quarter. I've always believed in staying ahead of the curve, and it's paying off. But we can't afford to get complacent. The market is changing faster than ever, and we must be ready for whatever comes next."

Camilla nodded, agreeing to his words. She had grown up listening to her father talk about the business, learning everything she could from him over the years. His wisdom and experience were invaluable to her, and she often echoed his thoughts in her decisions.

"Have you looked over the latest sales reports?" she asked, returning the conversation to work. "I noticed a slight dip in our online sales. It's nothing to worry about, but it's worth watching."

Her father nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I saw that. I think it's a sign of shifting consumer behaviour. People are becoming more selective about where they spend their money. We need to make sure our product offerings remain attractive and competitive."

Camilla appreciate her father's ability to spot trends before they became problems. It was one of the reasons Nexus Global had remained so successful. Robert Bennett wasn't just a businessman - he was a visionary. He could see the industry's future before anyone else and ensured Nexus Global was always one step ahead.

While they talked about different facets of the business, Camilla felt immense gratitude for her father. He had always been her rock, guiding her through personal and professional challenges. He taught her everything about running a business, and she became a confident and capable leader through his guidance.

An unspoken understanding existed between them, acknowledging that Camilla would take complete control one day. Over time, her father stepped back from daily operations, mentoring her for the future when she would make all the decisions. It was a responsibility she didn't take lightly, but it was one she was ready to embrace.

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Camilla's assistant, Jenna, stepped in carrying a pile of files.

"Sorry to interrupt," Jenna said, glancing between Camilla and her father. "But these are the documents for the upcoming board meeting. I thought you'd want to review them."

"Thank you, Jenna," Camilla said, taking the files. "I'll go through these before the meeting."

Jenna nodded in agreement before leaving the room and firmly closing the door. Camilla flipped through the files, nodded brilliantly and set them aside. Her father watched her, a hint of pride in his eyes.

"You've grown into quite the leader, Camilla," he said warmly. "I always knew you would. Nexus Global is in good hands with you."

Camilla looked up at him emotionally and replied. "Thank you, Dad. That means a lot to me. I've learned from the best."

Robert smiled but said nothing more. I just wanted to let you know that there was no need to. Their bond, built on years of trust, love, and shared goals, spoke volumes.

After her father left, Camilla spent the next hours immersed in words. She reviewed the board meeting documents, analysed sales data, and made notes for upcoming meetings. It was a busy day, but Camilla thrived on the challenges. There was something incredibly satisfying about seeing the results of her efforts, knowing that she was contributing to Nexus Global's continued success.

Occasionally, as the day went on, Camilla's mind turned to her father. She realised he had spent many years working diligently and looked forward to enjoying a much-deserved retirement. She understood the company's significance to him and recognised how challenging it would be to completely let go.

Before lunchtime, Camilla took a moment to step away and explore the manufacturing floor. She appreciated these visits because they allowed her to observe the products at different stages of packing. It was a reminder of the tangible results of their work - something she could hold in her hands.

She strolled through the large, open area beautified with rows of workers putting together smartphones, greeting the employees, many of whom she recognised by name. Those individuals formed the backbone of Nexus Global, and Camilla greatly appreciated their contributions. Camilla completely embraced the philosophy that her father upheld about respecting employees.

Spending time on the floor brightened Camilla's spirits when she returned to her office. The day passed swiftly with a busy schedule of meetings, phone calls, and planning sessions. The sun began to set when she finished her work, casting a warm glow over the city outside.

Camilla relaxed in her chair after the close of work. It had been a productive day, and she felt satisfied with their progress. As Camilla got ready to leave, a worrying thought flashed through her mind. But she wiped it away.

The refreshing evening air welcomed her as she walked out the door, and she inhaled deeply. The city was alive with the sounds of traffic and the bustle of people heading home after a long day. Camilla walked to her car, her mind still on her father and the future of Nexus Global.

While driving home in silence, she let her thoughts flow from the responsibilities of her day to considerations of her father's legacy and what it meant for her. She was confident in her abilities.

Camilla parked her car and headed to her apartment, happy and fulfilled after work. She undressed, had a quick bath and went into the kitchen to make dinner. As she cooked, the thought of a life outside the business world flashed through her mind, like having a family to return to daily from work, having her kids and the like.

But she waved it. She presently doesn't have a life outside the business world and has decided that when it's time, she will find someone. After all, Nexus Global was thriving, and she had every reason to believe that the future would be just as bright.

She pushed those thoughts aside as she served her food, determined to enjoy a quiet evening at home. Tomorrow was another day, and she would be ready for whatever challenges it brought.

Later that night, as she settled to eat, Camilla received a shocking call.