Bought For A Baby, Kept For A Lifetime-Chapter 199: Your Scarf

"The person who will be taking over after me is someone everyone knows, someone more deserving of this position than anyone else. SE is a family empire, so I’m sure many know this person is a member of my family. I’d like you all to welcome the newly appointed chief executive officer of Sterling Enterprises... Andrew Sterling!"

As the older man’s words fell, a cold sweep of air rushed in through the entrance of the hall and a tall, intimidating man could be seen making an entrance.

The man exuded a hefty amount of confidence and refined charm, the moment he walked into the room, every head turned in his direction. His broad, masculine shoulders were perfectly accentuated by a tailored navy blue suit that fit him as if it were custom made only for him.

His eyes were a clear strict shade of black, like an endless abyss that could suck anyone in, his intelligent gaze unreadable and faintly challenging. His every step echoed with unbridled power, and no one questioned if he were worthy of this new position bestowed on him.

As he walked up the stage, a thunderous applause echoed throughout the whole conference hall.

Elder Sterling had a proud smile on his face immediately his grandson walked in, deep inside he knew with full certainty that no one deserves this position more than Andrew. Not even his own son.

Tilting his head, elder Sterling studied Micheal’s expression. The latter looked calm and composed even though his expectations must have been shattered with his sudden announcement but Micheal’s expression didn’t match that of a man who had just lost.

Elder Sterling didn’t care about what Micheal’s thoughts were about his decision as right now, his heart welled with pride as Andrew stepped up the platform.

What no one knew was that Michael Sterling had expected this immediately the old man called for a press conference, but what they all didn’t expect was the fact that regardless of this announcement today, the company would still be his, he wouldn’t lose to his own son regardless of his father’s opinions.

Many of the high stakeholders of the company who had come to the conference with elder Sterling shook Andrew’s hands with a congratulatory enthusiasm, after which he turned towards the mic, his voice controlled as he spoke,

"Innovation, tradition, luxury are everything SE has provided from the start of time. These are the dynamics that SE will continue to uphold going forward..."

The news was worth headlines, every representative of the city’s largest news outlets made sure to delicately shoot this moment, it was a monumental change that would rock the core of the industry itself.

Andrew Sterling had publicly been named the next CEO of SE.

And as always, even his speech was centered and focused on growth and larger heights, many who got this opportunity would speak of sentiments and heartfelt warmth, but his speech was short and straight forward.

Finally knowing what the press conference was about, SE’s employees who were still kept in the dark immediately put it up in the company forum.

The new CEO had been announced, Elder Sterling’s retirement had been a mere rumor going through the company in the past but it was now confirmed.

As the press conference ended, Anne and her team returned to the company. She thought back to Andrew on stage, accepting many people’s congratulations with his usually calculatedly cold smile that held no warmth.

Him standing up there made him seem very different from the man he was last night, the one in her bedroom who had whispered close to her ear in a soft tone, whose smile had seemed almost genuine. This man seemed like a man whose ambitions seemed to be his mission, she saw a new side of him today, though it wasn’t strange to see him up in power where he’d always wanted to be, it made her realize that their worlds seemed to so different, so far apart.

The press conference was soon wrapped up with everyone reeling over the explosive news.

"We completed a successful press conference tonight, shall we go for a team dinner tonight?" Hailey was one of team A’s best employees, Anne liked how energetic and fast her thinking was when it came to professional matters. Team A were more steady and focused on their jobs then team B, it was no wonder they seemed to get more recognition than team B.

As Hailey made this suggestion, Anne pondered over it for a while before agreeing.

"We have all worked hard today, we can go for a nice team dinner."

The employees celebrated excitedly.

Andrew might be out late tonight perhaps celebrating his new position, he wouldn’t go back to the manor anytime soon so there was nothing wrong with her staying out for some more time.

The whole team A made their way out of their department, chattering and making small talk as they walked, it was past work hours so they felt free to move in such a casual cluster like friends discussing and having fun. Though they didn’t engage in casual conversation during work hours, after work they all acted like really good friends. Anne liked that about them.

Perhaps it was because she was talking and laughing along with them, chiming into their conversation, someone seemed to gain the courage to openly ask.

"Miss Thompson, do you have a boyfriend?"

This question silenced all the employees as they all huddled into the same elevator. No one spoke because they were eager to hear Anne’s reply.

Anne knew this question was thrown at her because of the rumors on the company forum.

"You can call me Anne, Elsie, and no I don’t have a boyfriend."

It was true that she didn’t have a boyfriend, what she did have was a husband. A very arrogant one who probably didn’t have the word love in his whole vocabulary.

As they all heard Anne’s reply, the employees exchanged glances between each other.

Hailey was the one who spoke up next,

"Actually Anne, you see that gossip on the forum..." Hailey didn’t finish talking when the elevator doors opened, and all the employees in the elevator froze, that was because standing right outside the elevator was Andrew Sterling and a team of shareholders who were going to enter the elevator.

Upon seeing this mighty figure, most of the female employees gasped in awe.

It was director Sterling....no soon to be CEO Sterling. What were the odds that they would suddenly run into him at this time, especially when they were about to bring up something about him? 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Was this the legendary speak of the devil and he appears?

Anne didn’t want to exacerbate the rumors even more if she lingered too much in Andrew’s presence, the truth was she suddenly seemed to see deep exhaustion in his eyes, his rigidly handsome face was a mask of cold indifference, but deep within his eyes, there was an emotion she couldn’t name. She had assumed he would be celebrating in this moment, but seeing him like this tugged something in her chest, however she ignored the feeling and began to walk past him, but what she didn’t expect was for his arm to raise stopping her, looking down at his extended arm there seemed to be a small cut on the side of his palm,

"Your scarf..." He began, his eyes lowering to her neck where the sarf was hung around then added, "May I borrow it?"

Anne’s hand instinctively flew up to cover her scarf protectively.

Why was he talking to her in front of everyone? She could already visibly see how the employees leaned in with interest, keen on witnessing this conversation.

What the hell was wrong with him, was he doing this on purpose? There were already rumors about them in the company.