pte

's not make this personal," he said, his tone carefully tempered. "It's not about your capa

ou've seen Jeremiah Sterling's announcement, haven't

amuel's longest-standing rival, had publicly declared that his youngest son, Harrison, would take over Sterling Enterprises. It had been bold, c

ization crept over her. Samuel continued, his word

isive, capable of standing toe-to-toe with me in the market. We can't afford to look weak beside him. Investors, partners, th

older, sharper than anything she'd anticipated. "You don't think I can do that," she said quietly, di

It's about perception. Sterling will exploit your gender to make us look weak. He'll fram

explained some of this to me," Ethan said, his words cautious, careful not to provoke. "He beli

my work, my years of dedication, everything I've sacrificed, comes down

cting everything I've built, everything our family has worked hard for! Sterling wants Meyers Industr

red sharply toward Ethan, her anger

s the stakes. He's willing to learn. He's eager to fight f

f. "And what about me? The woman who has spent her entire life*preparing for this

this business better than anyone, Mia. The markets, our competitors, the strategies that keep Meyers Industries

aid, her voice laced with incredulity. "You're sidelining me, dismissing everything I've work

l said firmly. "And he's ready to step up. You w

of it all stung. He was the outsider, the stranger who had been thrust into her world and handed every

aid, her voice clipped, refusing to show him how deeply she was wounded. Her father wasn't j

or, her intent clear: she would not stay a

topped her in her tracks. He remained seated,

o say, Father," she replied, her voice firm but calm, a deliberate choice to mask the fur

ng at Mia, "thanks for coming. Maybe you could leave Mia and m

ar if you need me." He gave Mia a quick, almost sorry look before th

office but refused to sit. She just wanted

mportant to this company. What you know, what you've done... we really need th

him. "An idea? After basically telling me I'm n

. But this doesn't have to be the end of your chances here. Actually, it could be the start of

ture, and I think I've found a way that helps everyone... and most importantly, keeps the comp