Chapter 25: The Rise of a New CEO

For three years, Jordan Steele had lived in the shadows, enduring humiliation as a live-in son-in-law. Now, that chapter was closed. Today, he would step into his rightful place—not just as a powerful businessman, but as the man who would command respect from those who once scorned him.

But it wasn’t the prestige of being a CEO that excited him. He had grown up surrounded by wealth and power; it no longer impressed him.

No, what intrigued him most was Victoria Clarke, the alluring deputy president of Ace Corporation. A woman capable of captivating the entire upper-class circle of Orlando.

As he approached the gleaming tower of Ace Corporation, Jordan arrived at the security gantry on the first floor.

The building, like much of Orlando’s advanced infrastructure, relied on fingerprint and facial recognition for employee access. Since it was his first day, Jordan hadn’t been registered in the system yet.

With a calm expression, he retrieved the access card Butler Frank had given him and swiped it. The gantry lights turned green, and the glass barriers slid open, granting him entry.

Riding the elevator up to the executive floor, Jordan found the office still empty. He unlocked the door to his personal office, settled in, and began reviewing company reports.

For the first time in years, he was exactly where he belonged.

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A False Alarm

Meanwhile, Tyler Collins was still sprawled in bed, groggy from the previous night’s humiliation. His phone buzzed with an incoming report from the men he had sent to tail Jordan.

“Mr. Collins, Jordan Steele has entered the Ace Corporation office tower in the central business district.”

Tyler sat up instantly. “What?”

His grogginess vanished, replaced by confusion. Why would Jordan be at Ace Corporation?

Then a sinister thought struck him. “Could he be there to take revenge on Victoria Clarke?”

After all, just yesterday, Victoria had declared that Jordan would never find a way to survive in Orlando. And now he had marched straight into her company.

Tyler smirked. “He’s either reckless or desperate.”

Still shirtless, Tyler grabbed his phone and dialed a number—Victoria Clarke’s personal line.

After several rings, a sleepy voice answered, “Who’s speaking?”

Tyler’s smirk widened. Even half-awake, Victoria sounded enchanting.

“Miss Clarke, this is Tyler Collins. We met at Old Mrs. Camden’s birthday banquet last night.”

Victoria’s tone remained indifferent. “Mr. Collins, it’s quite early. What do you need?”

Tyler feigned urgency. “Miss Clarke, do you remember Jordan Steele? The loser son-in-law of the Camdens? Yesterday, we all agreed to shut him out of Orlando. But guess what? That punk is at your company right now!”

Victoria frowned. “That’s impossible. The building is secure, and he wouldn’t be able to get upstairs.”

Tyler let out a dramatic gasp. “But he did! My men saw him enter the building using an access card. He might already be hiding in your office, waiting for you!”

Victoria sat up, her silk quilt slipping off her shoulders. A flicker of alarm crossed her face.

“How could he have an Ace Corporation access card?”

Tyler didn’t miss a beat. “That thief stole a watch worth over eight hundred thousand dollars from the Camdens. He’s rich now—he could’ve easily bribed one of your employees.”

Tyler added in a honeyed tone, “Miss Clarke, you’re too beautiful to be harmed by a scorned loser like him. I’d hate for you to get hurt.”

Victoria sighed, running a hand through her tousled hair. “I’ll handle it. Thanks for the warning.”

Tyler beamed, trying to push his luck. “I’ll come to the office to make sure you’re safe, Miss Clarke.”

Victoria chuckled softly but didn’t respond. Then she ended the call.

Immediately, she dialed her secretary.

“Ashley, get to the office now and check for any suspicious activity. If you find anything unusual, call the police.”

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An Unexpected Encounter

Half an hour later, Ashley Rose arrived at Ace Corporation’s headquarters.

Dressed in a crisp white blouse tucked into a form-fitting black skirt, sheer stockings, and black-framed glasses, she cut an elegant and professional figure.

As she passed the security desk, a guard’s eyes widened.

“Good morning, Miss Rose.”

Ashley barely acknowledged him. “Morning.”

She hurried to the elevator and rode it to the executive floor.

Upon stepping out, she noticed something unusual—the president’s office door was unlocked.

Her heart raced. Had Victoria’s concerns been correct? Was there really an intruder?

She cautiously called out, “Is anyone here?”

Silence.

Taking a deep breath, Ashley peered inside. Her eyes locked onto a man seated at the president’s desk, flipping through reports as though he belonged there.

Jordan Steele.

Ashley’s pulse quickened. She had no idea who he was—only that Victoria had warned her about a potential threat.

Without hesitation, she stepped forward and demanded, “Who are you? How did you get in here? What are you trying to do in our office?”

Jordan, slightly startled by the sudden outburst, looked up.

His gaze settled on the woman before him—high heels, silk stockings, an immaculately tailored skirt. Was Victoria in the habit of hiring only beautiful women?

He raised an eyebrow. “And you are?”

Ashley adjusted her glasses and replied stiffly, “I’m Miss Clarke’s personal secretary, Ashley Rose.”

Jordan leaned back, smirking. Victoria Clarke… what kind of boss are you? Hiring a secretary that looks like she stepped out of a billionaire’s fantasy.

A thought crossed his mind, an amusing one.

Does Victoria hire beautiful women because she likes to surround herself with them? Or… could she possibly be into women herself?

Jordan let out a small chuckle.

Ashley frowned, misinterpreting his reaction.

“Laugh all you want,” she said coldly. “But you won’t be laughing once security gets here.”