Conquests of the Heart and Boardroom

Amelia's POV Six months had flown by in a whirlwind of triumphs, each victory a brick in the empire I was building at Gray Holdings. The major acquisition Sam had tasked me with? A resounding success. I'd spearheaded negotiations with ruthless precision, outmaneuvering competitors, and secured a deal that boosted our market value by 25%. The boardroom erupted in applause when the ink dried, Sam pulling me into a bear hug. "You're a force, Lia. VP material." The thrill of triumph pulsed through me, a high I had learned to chase and savor with every deal closed, every strategy implemented. Projects poured in after that—streamlining our international supply chain, launching a tech integration initiative that slashed costs by 18%, and clinching partnerships with two Fortune 500 firms. My days became a blur of high-stakes decisions, strategy sessions, and relentless emails, often punctuated by the sharp aroma of black coffee and the hum of my laptop into the late hours. For the first time,