Where Gold Casts Shadows E-Book

Andrea Walberg

• Herausgeber: BoD - Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 314

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Ellen is overjoyed. Lauritz, the long-establishes jewelry company, has entrusted her with overseeing its upcoming merger. If only there weren't Mark Lauritz, the company's young heir. Just the thought of him sends a shiver down Ellen's spine. But is the tension between them so explosive simply because he thinks she's incompetent?

Leseprobe

FOR VIKTORIA

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

WILL YOU DO ME A SOLID?

More books by Andrea Walberg coming soon in English

CHAPTER 1

Three knocks echoed through the room, and the office door, upholstered in light leather, swung open, revealing Frau Diekmann’s gray-haired head in the doorway.

"Excuse me, Mr. Lauritz," she said, glancing at the CEO. "I have an urgent call for you on line one." Her tone carried more than her words.

Mr. Lauritz studied his assistant for a moment, then gave a brief nod. "Alright. Please transfer the call to the conference room next door. I’ll be right there."

He rose from his seat and turned to Ellen with a warm smile. "Please excuse me, Ms. Sander. I’ll leave you alone with my son for a moment."

"Of course, no problem." Ellen replied politely, though she could feel Mark Lauritz’s critical gaze settling on her. Unlike his father, who favored darker suits, Mark wore a sharply tailored grey ensemble, paired with a pale blue shirt and subtle silver cufflinks that peeked from his sleeves. His navy and red striped tie was a perfect match for his ensemble. His full, chestnutbrown hair was styled in smooth, deliberate layers, each strand seemingly placed with precision. His sharply defined features exuded an air of determination, though his long, narrow nose—perhaps a touch too prominent—gave him an air of aloofness, even arrogance.

At first glance, Mark Lauritz possessed the kind of looks that could make any woman’s heart race. But the moment their eyes met, Ellen quickly reassessed her first impression. His icy grey stare, brimming with disdain, cut through any illusion of charm. She felt his aversion as he leaned slightly forward in his chair, eyes never leaving hers.

"To avoid any misunderstandings, Ms. Sander," he began, his voice cool and deliberate, "I don’t share my father’s opinion that we need a branding agency to make this merger work, let alone involve you at this stage."

The words hit her like a gut punch, completely catching her off guard.

Mark Lauritz continued without hesitation. "I know the players in your industry. Just to be clear, I’m not interested in a slick presentation filled with fluff. We are here for results. So I’m curious—what actual value do you bring to the table."

His gaze flicked over Ellen in a slow, calculated sweep. "Other than providing some… pleasant entertainment." He gave a fleeting smile, but his eyes remained cold.

A surge of anger shot through Ellen, barely contained. She had to fight the urge to stand up, slap Mark Lauritz across the face, and storm out of the office. Instead, she met his gaze head-on, her anger asteady flame beneath her skin. Pressing the nail of her index finger into her palm, she used the sharp pain to steady herself and maintain her composure. Mark watched her closely, calm, composed, like a predator studying its prey.

Ellen returned his look with af controlled, polite smile. Her voice was calm, but firm. "I appreciate your honesty. I assure you, I’m just as focused on outcomes as you are. I don’t waste time on flashy slides or distractions from the work itself." She raised an eyebrow, emphasizing her point, letting the implication sink in.

For a brief moment, Mark’s eyes flickered before returning to their usual, impenetrable gray. His expression didn’t change.

Ellen leaned back slightly, crossing her legs with casual confidence. "Moreover, there are measurable success criteria for my work. Trackable. And real."

She held his gaze, unflinching, and waited for his response.

"We'll see," Mark replied, unfazed. "I hope we're on the same page. You might be able to charm my father, but don't forget-I’m watching you. I’m right here, and I won’t let you deceive him with any shallow nonsense that makes him waste his money."

"Are you threatening me?" Ellen met his gaze with unwavering composure.

Mark’s lips curled into a tight, formal smile. "Oh, no, I’m just being upfront so you won’t have any complaints later. After all, we both know this project will bring in enough money to keep your agency afloat for years."

"If you think so little of me", Ellen shot back, lifting her chin, "why did you even offer me the project? I didn’t apply for it," Mark Lauritz was by far the most despicable person she’d ever encountered.

He gave a careless shrug. "I have nothing to do with this decision. Otherwise, you definitely wouldn’t be sitting here. You were recommended to my father by a business associate who apparently holds you in high regard."

The insinuating tone in his voice was almost enough to warrant a slap, Ellen thought. But instead, she responded coolly, "I think I understand you now. I’ll wait to see what your father decides." How she despised Mark Lauritz and his arrogance. Every word from him made her skin crawl.

The silence that followed was icy and drawn out. When the door finally opened again, Ellen could’ve sighed with relief.

"Apologies for keeping you waiting, Ms. Sander," Mr. Lauritz said as he stepped inside. "A key client needed my advice. I trust you’ve had a productive conversation with my son in the meantime?"

Ellen smiled at the elderly man but remained silent. With a purposeful stride, he crossed the office, approached his light oak desk, opened the top drawer, and pulled out a large brown envelope. Returning to the seating area, he took his seat, smiled warmly, and looked Ellen directly in the eye.

"If I recall correctly, you promised me in our last conversation that you would personally oversee this project until its completion. Does that still hold true?"

"Yes, that's right. If you decide to entrust me with the branding responsibility for your company merger, I will personally ensure the project is successfully completed."

Mr. Lauritz nodded approvingly, visibly pleased, looking at Ellen kindly through his rimless glasses. He couldn’t have been more different from his son.

"Good, then that’s settled."

"I don't think Ms. Sander has experience with due diligence processes, Dad," Mark interjected coolly. "It might make more sense to involve her only after the exploratory phase,"

Mr. Lauritz smiled indulgently at his son. "I believe all aspects should be thoroughly addressed early on. And I’m sure you’ll be there to assist Ms. Sander when needed."

Mark’s eyes darkened. "That could be difficult, as I’m handling the financing discussions."

"I’m sure you’ll manage both brilliantly. You've tackled more difficult tasks before. And besides," he added with a glance at Ellen, "Ms. Sander isn’t inexperienced. She knows her field."

Mark said nothing, his cold gaze fixed on Ellen while his father continued undeterred.

Mr. Lauritz continued as though his son hadn’t spoken. "This envelope contains the contract. I’d appreciate it if you could review it and get back to me by tomorrow morning, as time is of the essence. The final decision, of course, is yours—but rest assured, my son and I would be very pleased if you accepted the project. Won’t we, Mark?"

"Nothing would please me more than looking over your shoulder," Mark replied, his tone pointed.

"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Lauritz. You’ll have my response by tomorrow morning." Ellen said, rising to her feet. She extended her hand in farewell, which Mr. Lauritz shook warmly. Reluctantly, Ellen turned to Mark, offering a brief smile, careful not to reveal how much she despised him. Mark shook her hand, then immediately let go, as though it had scalded him.

What a creep, Ellen thought, before turning and leaving the room.

With each step away, her uncertainty about accepting the project deepened. She walked down the elegantly furnished hallway, descended the large, sweeping oak staircase where thick carpet absorbed the sound of her heels, and crossed the small foyer, lit by a towering crystal chandelier. Life-sized portraits showcasing the company’s latest designs lined the walls, each one gleaming with pride and legacy.

Finally, the heavy door of the Lauritz jewelry showroom clicked shut behind her, and Ellen exhaled—deep and long—as if she’d just escaped something far more dangerous than a meeting.

CHAPTER 2

Mark scowled at the office window, watching the red sports car drive out of the parking lot. Ellen Sander and her branding agency were the last things he needed right now. From his father’s glowing remarks, he had expected someone entirely different—a curvy blonde who would turn heads and made sure she was paid handsomely for doing it. But when Ellen Sander had walked through the door with her shoulder-length dark hair and striking ocean-blue eyes, he had been completely caught off guard. Not that it mattered. Fortunately, he knew exactly how women like her operated. Mark took a deep breath. He had fallen for someone like her once—sharp, polished, dangerous. He had learned his lesson. He knew how they worked, knew them inside anfd out. He wasn’t about to be fooled again. And he certainly wasn’t going to let his father fall for that kind of charm either. Since his father didn’t know how to protect himself, Mark would have to do it for him.

With a resolute sigh, Mark turned his gaze from the now-empty parking lot and headed back to his desk, where stacks of documents awaited his signature.

It was cursed. Annoyed, Mark ran a hand over his forehead. Ellen’s image kept flashing in his mind no matter how hard he tried to shove it aside. She had brushed off his provocation with almost indifference when he’d bet she’d storm out of the room. That unsettling tingle he couldn’t shake, no matter how much he tried to smother it with a big gulp of water, wouldn’t go away. Admittedly, she was attractive, but it wasn’t her looks that made her dangerous.

It was her mind.

The way she had locked her sapphire-blue eyes on him had been a clear sign—this woman was no amateur. But she wouldn’t have Mark Lauritz wrapped around her finger, no matter how blind his father was. She would work for her money, and he would make damm sure of that. The sooner they finished the integration, the better—for the company, for his father, and fo his own sanity. The sooner Ellen Sander was out of his life, the better. Until then, though, he wouldn’t take his eyes off her, watching every move she made.

With a firm motion, Mark signed the memo just as the phone on his left rang. His father’s speed dial appeared on the display. Mark immediately grabbed the receiver.

"Yeah, Dad?"

"Am I disturbing you, my boy?"

"No, just going through the signature files. What’s up?" "I’d like a quick word. Can you come to my office?"

"Give me two minutes, and I’ll be there."

"Good." His father hung up.

Mark took a deep breath. A short debriefing was coming, and he would have gladly skipped it today. He didn’t want to deal with Ellen Sander any longer. It was a done deal - she was going to sign the contract. After all, the project was far too lucrative, and the company name far too well-known to pass up. Ellen Sander meant nothing but trouble, and Mark could feel that instinctively. Frowning, he stood up, grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair, and walked to his father’s office.

Mr. Lauritz looked up from his desk as Mark opened the door and gestured for him to come in. "Come in, my boy," he said.

Mark entered the elegant office, where he had sat just a couple of hours ago, opposite Ellen. Calmly, he sat back in the same chair, waiting for his father to sit as well.

"What’s your impression of Ms. Sander?" Mr. Lauritz asked, taking off his glasses, pulling out a large white handkerchief from his pocket, and carefully cleaning the rimless lenses.

"You know my opinion. Besides, the decision has already been made, hasn’t it?"

His father nodded thoughtfully but didn’t look up.

"That’s true. Still, I’d like to know what you think of her. After all, you’ll be working closely with her in the coming months."

Surprised, Mark stared at his father. "Why me? I thought you were leading the integration project."

Mr. Lauritz held the glasses up to the light, squinted, and after a moment, was satisfied with the result. He put the glasses back on, tucked the handkerchief back into his pocket, and looked at his son seriously.

"Mark, we’ve already discussed that you’re leading the company merger. It’s only logical that Ms. Sander works with you."

Mark’s mood dropped. "And what exactly do you expect from me?"

His father subtly shook his head. His voice softened, but there was a firmness beneath it. "I expect you to work with Ms. Sander to ensure a successful company merger. She’ll attend all the key meetings to get a thorough understanding." After a pause, he added firmly, "And I expect you to help her get up to speed quickly. You will do that, won’t you?"

Mark pursed his lips into a thin line. This was going well. Even before Ellen Sander had signed the contract, he was being ordered to take care of her. Fine, if his father wanted it that way. He’d look after her, keep her in check, and make sure she earned every cent.

"Fine, I’ll involve her and make sure we’re not throwing money down the drain. But I won’t guarantee the success of her work. After all, you’re the one convinced of her abilities, not me."

Fatherly, Mr. Lauritz placed his hand on Mark’s knee.

"I’m sure you’ll come around soon enough." Then, in a tone that allowed no argument, he added, "Could you also take care of an office for her?"

Mark nodded, avoiding his father’s eyes. "She can have the office at the end of the hall. It’s not occupied right now anyway."

His father smiled at him with a look of relief. "Good, then everything is settled." He paused before adding, "Will you come over for dinner tonight? Your mother would love to see you."

Mark hesitated, glancing down at the floor. "Sorry, Dad, but I’ve got a lot to catch up on. I’ll come by this weekend."

"Alright, then. That would be nice, Mark" his father said warmly, giving him a brief smile.

Mark stood, feeling the weight of the conversation hanging in the air. With one last glance at his father, he headed for the door. As he stepped back into the hallway, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Ellen Sander was only the beginning of something far more complicated.

CHAPTER 3

Ellen had passed Vivian's apartment for the fourth time now. Hopefully, she'd find a parking spot soon. It was so frustrating. Every time she urgently needed to see Vivian, finding parking took all her patience. Frowning, Ellen stared out the window. Today, especially, she needed her best friend's advice. Suddenly, her expression brightened—the sky had mercy. Not far ahead, a green station wagon slowly backed out of a parking space, and this time, no other car was in front of her, fighting for the spot.

Finally, she was in front of the red-brick building where Vivian's apartment was located on the top floor. Aside from the dreadful parking situation, it was such a lovely street, with a small park at the end and trees lining the sidewalks.

Ellen pressed the doorbell and waited for the intercom buzz. Her gaze drifted up the tall stairwell, a reminder of the old Hanseatic city’s wealth. The wooden steps curved along the walls, surrounding the grand elevator in the center of the hall, with its iron railing. The wooden track had recently been replaced. Unfortunately, the elevator was for residents only, so Ellen had to climb the stairs on foot.

When she finally reached the top floor, she found Vivian barefoot, leaning against the door. She wore jeans and a flowy chiffon blouse covered in green floral vines. Her blonde, chin-length hair looked a little tousled. She was probably lost in thought over illustrations for a new children’s book. Maybe she needed a break as badly as Ellen did.

"It’s so nice to see you! I was just wondering when I’d hear from you. How did it go? Come on in, I’ll make us some coffee, and you can tell me everything in peace." Vivian gave Ellen a warm hug.

"Hi, Vivian. Oh man, those stairs really get to me every time."

Her friend laughed brightly. "It’s a great fitness program, isn’t it? Come on in, you’ve definitely earned your coffee."

Vivian hurried off to the kitchen while Ellen closed the door and looked around. The narrow, tube-shaped apartment was as bright and inviting as ever, with its walls painted a warm pastel yellow and white wooden furniture. Bright red tablecloths, sunny yellow vases, grass-green throw pillows, and numerous blooming plants added a cheerful touch to the space. Ellen’s eyes fell on the chaotic mess of papers scattered across the office. The trash can was overflowing with crumpled drafts.

"As I can see, I’m interrupting your work. Sorry about that."

Vivian sighed in resignation. "If only that were the case. I just can’t seem to get the character of the little boy right. It’s awful."

Ellen smiled sympathetically. She and Vivian had been friends since kindergarten, but while Vivian approached everything in life with emotion—making her a successful illustrator—Ellen had always relied on logic and reason. She knew that Vivian could only draw her pictures when she truly connected with the characters in a story. That had always been the hardest part for her.

As Vivian filled the coffee machine with water and coffee grounds, she asked over her shoulder, "So, how did it go? I was really rooting for you."

Ellen snorted contemptuously, which made Vivian turn around in surprise.

"I’ve got the contract in hand, ready to sign."

"But that’s fantastic! Congratulations!" Vivian clapped her hands enthusiastically. "I knew you’d get the job." But when she saw the doubtful look on Ellen’s face, she paused. "Did I misunderstand something? Why aren’t you happy? You got exactly what you wanted, and now you’re standing here like it’s been raining for seven days. What’s going on?"

Ellen thoughtfully ran her finger along the edge of the doorframe. "I’m not sure I should accept this job anymore. It’s been such an awful morning."

Shocked, Vivian pulled up a chair. "What happened? Come sit down and tell me everything, step by step." Ellen nodded and sat down. "This morning, when I was on my way to Lauritz, everything seemed fine. I was optimistic I’d get the project offer because my last meetings with Mr. Lauritz, the founder and CEO, mind you," Ellen added with a sarcastic tone, "had gone really well. His business associate, Eberhard Dillenhorst, recommended me to him. This was the project where I repositioned the vitamin supplements as a brand. Do you remember?"

Vivian laughed at the memory of the project. "Of course, we practically cleared out whole drugstores."

"Exactly." Ellen took a deep breath. Just thinking about her conversation with Mark Lauritz brought back an indescribable rage. "Well, today I had the honor of meeting his son."

"There’s a son? Cool. What’s he like? " Vivian scooted closer, intrigued.

Against her will, Ellen laughed. "He’s really good-looking. No, he’s ridiculously good-looking. Like the heir to a jewelry chain you’d see in a movie."

"Wow. That sounds like hitting the lottery."

Ellen shook her head vigorously. "Oh no. As goodlooking as he is, his character is just as disgusting. He made it clear that he’s against me managing the project. He thinks I was just Mr. Dillenhorst’s little pastime, and that’s how I got the project. And according to him, I’m doing the same thing with his father."

Vivian’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Ellen, who laughed bitterly.

"But that’s not all. He even threatened me…"

Ellen took a deep breath before continuing. "He said he’d be watching my every move closely. And worse, if I sign the contract, I’ll have to work closely with him, not his father. Oh, Vivian, what should I do? " Ellen said desperately, burying her head in her hands.

Vivian sympathetically patted her arm. "I agree with you. I’m honestly shocked. Have you talked to Lukas yet?"

Ellen shook her head. "No, Lukas has an art show coming up and probably doesn’t have time for problems like this." A crooked smile played at her lips. "And he’ll probably just laugh at me for being afraid of Mark Lauritz."

Vivian nodded understandingly. Lukas would most likely brush off Ellen’s concerns with his disarming smile. Unlike her friend, her twin brother was much more carefree. Vivian quickly blinked, trying to push Lukas out of her thoughts.

"I see," she said slowly. Then she furrowed her brow, thinking hard. "If you take the son out of the equation, would you still want to take on the project?"

"Of course. It’s absolutely top-notch. Challenging, exciting, and definitely very lucrative."

Vivian nodded. "Okay, want to hear my opinion?" "Sure, go for it."

"Alright, so if the son—what’s his name again?"

"Mark Lauritz," Ellen replied in a grave tone.

"Nice name. But okay. So, if it weren’t for Mark Lauritz, you’d be jumping at the chance to take this project. That means he’s the real reason you’re hesitating. And on top of that, Mark Lauritz is a ridiculously goodlooking jerk you’d have to work with. Am I right?"

"Right."

"And he thinks you’re not competent, doesn’t he?" "Right," Ellen said, nodding with resignation.

"Well, in my opinion, if you turn the project down, you’re basically proving him right."

Ellen’s eyes widened in shock, but Vivian was already continuing: "Worst case, he spreads that story, and that could really damage your reputation—especially since what he thinks isn’t even true. Plus, his father wouldn’t understand your reasons at all and might label you as unreliable, which could hurt your standing just as much."

Ellen was stunned.

It was a terrible situation, but Vivian seemed to be enjoying herself analyzing it. Absentmindedly, she stood up and began pouring coffee for both of them. "So, if you take on the project now and prove that jerk wrong—showing you're at the top of your game— you'll not only achieve major professional success but also teach the junior a lesson. Plus, you've already dealt with troublemakers and kept them in check. So," Vivian concluded, "the real question is whether you can stand up to Mark Lauritz during the project. That’s probably going to be the biggest challenge. But I think you can handle it. What do you think?"

Frowning, Ellen stared at the refrigerator door, covered in colorful vacation photos. She wasn’t really seeing them, though. "I hadn’t thought of it that way. I was really close to turning down the project, but maybe you’re right." She took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "Okay, I’ll take the project and teach Mark Lauritz a lesson."

CHAPTER 4

Fifteen minutes left until the first meeting.

Nervously, Ellen approached the sleek, unassuming office building that housed the Lauritz jewelry chain’s headquarters, her nerves tightening with every step.

She pushed open the heavy glass door and stepped into the reception hall, the same place she had stormed out of in anger just two days ago. To her left, a large reception desk made of dark wood stood, behind which a blonde woman in her late twenties was inspecting herself in a makeup mirror. When she noticed Ellen, she quickly slid the mirror under a pile of papers and smiled.

"Good morning. Ms. Sander, right?"

"That's right. Good morning," Ellen replied, returning the smile.

"Welcome to Lauritz! I have an envelope for you with your access card inside." The receptionist quickly rummaged through some papers, handed Ellen the brown envelope, and added kindly, "If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

"Thank you, that’s very kind of you," Ellen said, accepting the envelope.

"Susan Porter," the woman added, extending her hand. Ellen shook it warmly. "Ellen Sander. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

Susan nodded, smiling, then straightened up and put on a charming grin. Just as Ellen wondered what had caused this sudden shift in her demeanor. Susan greeted, "Good morning, Mr. Lauritz."

Startled, Ellen turned around. Mark Lauritz was striding through the entrance hall with purpose. He was impeccably dressed in a dark blue suit, white shirt, and a bright yellow tie. His hair, slightly tousled by the wind, he casually fixed with a quick motion.

"Good morning, Susan," he said, flashing her a charming smile, which made her cheeks flush instantly. Then he glanced briefly at Ellen. "Good morning. I see you've already met Susan."

He gave the receptionist a warm look, which made her blush even deeper.

Good heavens, Ellen thought. This guy could wrap anyone around his finger with such ease—it was dizzying. He clearly knew just how much power he had. Mark glanced at his watch.

"We have the first project meeting in ten minutes. You should come with me."

Without waiting for a response, he took long strides toward the stairs. Ellen followed, careful not to hurry too much in her heels to avoid looking awkward.

Mark crossed the hallway, stopped in front of the conference room door, and frowned disapprovingly when he noticed Ellen wasn’t right behind him.

"The door at the end of the hall leads to your office. The office before that belongs to my assistant, who will show you everything else," Mark said as he entered the conference room.

Yeah, yeah, don’t be too polite to me. I might start thinking I’m welcome here, Ellen thought to herself.

She silently followed him into the room, which was dominated by a large dark oak table surrounded by eight black leather chairs. The floor-to-ceiling windows looked out onto the courtyard and the parking lot beyond. Mark flipped on the light. "Please, take a seat." Ellen looked around. "Did you have a particular seat in mind?"

Mark looked at her in surprise. "No, I didn’t. But since I have to make it clear that all colleagues will cooperate with you without any problems, it’s best if you sit next to me."

Ellen silently nodded before taking a seat at the end of the table, where Mark’s documents were piled at the head. Maybe his father had given him clear instructions to support her? Maybe there was still hope for good cooperation? No, she didn’t want to indulge in daydreams. Mark Lauritz was a snake, ready to strike at any moment. As he slowly sorted his papers on the table, Ellen turned her back to him and looked out the window. Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached in the hallway. A medium-sized, slender man in a gray suit hurried through the door. His graystreaked, short, bristly hair stuck out stubbornly at the sides. A dark horn-rimmed glasses dominated his pale face. Apologetically, he addressed Mark.

"Good morning, Mark."

Mark nodded at him kindly. "Good morning, Walter. May I introduce you to Ms. Sander? She’ll be working with us on our new project." He looked at Ellen. "Walter Kaufmann, our Head of HR."

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Sander. Looking forward to working together."

"Likewise", Ellen smiled at him gratefully. "Nice to meet you as well."

At that moment, a tall, blonde man appeared in the doorway. Ellen estimated him to be in his late thirties, about the same age as Mark Lauritz. His blonde, wavy hair was layered, and his light blue eyes stood out against his sun-kissed face. He had twisted his mouth into a charming smile, which, without thinking, made Ellen smile too.

"Good morning, Mark," he greeted cheerfully. "I see we have a guest in our fine circle today." He had already stepped up to Ellen, extending his hand to her. "Allow me to introduce myself. Alexander Vanstetten."

"Alexander is our Head of Purchasing. Ms. Sander will be working with us on the project we’ll be discussing today," Mark replied.

"Pleasure, pleasure," Alexander responded with a smile. "I hope the seat next to you is still available?"

"I think so", Ellen replied.

"Perfect." He slid into the chair beside her, already unfolding his papers on the table and pulling up a chair.

Then came a sharp click of hells.

A slender redhead in a tight beige suit appeared in the conference room. Her long hair was loosely pinned up in a bun, with a few curls escaping. She wore large silver earrings, with emeralds that danced cheerfully with every step, perfectly complementing her green eyes. The fitted suit jacket stretched dangerously over her ample chest, accentuated even more by the low-cut blouse.

At the sight of her, Ellen suddenly felt like a gray mouse in her dark pantsuit, white simple blouse, and sapphire pendant necklace. Even better—she certainly didn’t want to attract Mark Lauritz’s attention.

After a theatrical glance around the room, during which she shot Ellen a brief, piercing look, the redhead confidently strode toward Mark, sat down next to him as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and thus directly across from Ellen.

"Good morning. Mark, sorry, but I had an important phone call." She gave him an apologetic smile.

"Good morning, Valerie. No problem, we’re still waiting for Mr. Langster," Mark said.

"Lucky me," Valerie sighed dramatically with relief.

Mark lifted his head, his gaze briefly flicked toward Ellen. For a split second, his ice-gray eyes flashed. "Valerie is our Head of Marketing," he said, then turned his head to the left. "Valerie, Ellen Sander will be working with us on our new project."

Valerie slightly jutted her chin out, then gave Ellen a gracious, cool nod. "Welcome to the team, Ms. Sander." "Thank you," Ellen replied simply. The woman acted as if she were the owner of the place. Was there more to her relationship with Mark Lauritz than just work? Suddenly, Alexander leaned toward Ellen, whispering so softly that only she could hear: "You’ve really thrown poor Valerie off balance. Don’t let her take your spotlight." He winked at her mischievously, and Ellen responded with a grateful smile before returning her gaze to Mark. He was watching her closely but his face revealed no emotion. Ellen’s breath caught. This was going to get interesting.

A woman with a brown bob and a friendly, round face appeared in the doorway. Ellen guessed her to be in her late forties.

"Sorry, Mark, Mr. Langster is here."

"Thanks, Karin." Mark immediately stood up and walked toward a medium-sized, stocky man in a dark gray suit who had appeared in the doorway. His rimless glasses suited his elongated face, and his green eyes looked around the room with knowing confidence. He seemed calm, detached, and very selfassured. The two men shook hands. Ellen guessed Mr. Langster to be in his early fifties. Without saying another word, he took the empty seat next to Valerie, while Karin quietly closed the door.

Mark cleared his throat. "Now that we’re all here, we can get started. As we all know, we’ve been able to expand our business in the German market over the last few years. It’s also well known to most of you that we’ve been considering how the company should continue to grow for some time now. In this context, my father and I have been looking at the European market and have found a company that could allow us to enter the Central and Southern European market."

He looked expectantly around the room. A thoughtful silence filled the air. Everyone was hanging on his every word. You could have heard a pin drop.

"This is a French jewelry chain based in Paris, with branches in major cities throughout France, as well as in Madrid and Rome." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "But nothing is decided yet. We’re not buying a pig in a poke. We are still in the beginning stages of due diligence, where we will review the company’s documents and gather all the important facts to come to a well-informed, suitable decision for the company, based on which the final decision will be made. Ms. Sander will assist us in the smooth integration of the new company and the new market positioning." Mark gave a brief nod in Ellen’s direction. "She has already proven her expertise at other companies."

He gave Valerie a charming smile. "To clear up any misunderstandings upfront: Ms. Sander will not be dealing with the marketing aspects alone, but will take a holistic, strategic approach covering all areas."

Everyone except Valerie nodded in agreement. Instead, she angrily doodled blue circles in her notebook, but Mark continued undeterred. "Mr. Langster will also be advising us with his legal expertise, for which I already thank you very much."

The lawyer simply nodded in response.

Mark glanced at Valerie, whose paper was already half-filled with blue circles, then addressed the group: "This upcoming project is far too important to allow any solo efforts. Therefore, I expect full teamwork and cooperation. Can I rely on that?"

He silently looked at each person until everyone nodded in agreement. Valerie and Mark seemed to hold eye contact the longest, or so it seemed to Ellen, before she slowly gave Mark a seductive smile and nodded in agreement. Finally, Mark looked at Ellen. His eyes pierced hers hard and unyielding. She quickly nodded, then looked away.

"Good, that covers the essentials. Next, each of you will receive an envelope containing the available information. On Monday morning, we'll be flying to Paris, where we'll spend the next week reviewing the company’s files. The flights and hotel accommodations have already been arranged and are included in the envelope. My approach may seem unconventional, but this is a highly confidential project, and I expect everyone here to keep it under wraps, even from your closest colleagues. If anyone asks where we’re going, we’ll explain the trip as a management seminar near Paris. I don’t want any unnecessary rumors circulating within the company. Understood?"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Reluctantly, Ellen had to admit that Mark knew how to communicate complex issues and expectations clearly. His deep voice interrupted her thoughts.

"That’s all from me for today. Any questions?"

"Could I speak with you for five minutes, Mark?" Valerie’s voice was insistent.

"Of course, come to my office right away," he replied briefly.

She gave him a thankful look, her lips curling into a confident smile.

"If there are no further questions, I wish us all a pleasant and productive day." Mark nodded at the group, shook Mr. Langster’s hand, and left the meeting room, closely followed by Valerie.

"Cleverly done by Mark, don’t you think?" Alexander glanced at Ellen with amusement.

"What do you mean?" She didn’t quite understand what Alexander was getting at.

"Well, he got us all to commit to cooperation and teamwork. He’s done you a favor, especially since Valerie already has her claws out."

"Is she always like this?" Ellen asked impulsively.

"No, only when there are attractive women around who catch Mark’s attention."

Ellen gave Alexander a thoughtful look. "Don’t worry, I’m not trying to compete for the junior boss’s attention."

Amused, Alexander raised an eyebrow and laughed heartily. "Come on, let me show you to your office. Which one are you in?"

"I think it’s the last office on this side of the hall."

"If you're up for it, I’d be happy to give you a tour later. You should get to know the company before jumping into our French project."

"That would be great," Ellen replied gratefully. Alexander Vanstetten was a pleasant surprise. Maybe things wouldn’t be as bad as she had feared.

As they passed Mark’s office door, Ellen could hear Valerie’s excited voice, repeatedly interrupted by Mark’s calm, brief responses. Alexander nodded toward the closed door. "That’s Mark’s office."

"I figured," Ellen replied dryly.

"The office next door belongs to Karin Mahler, Mark’s assistant. She’s the rock during busy times. She’ll be more than happy to help you out."

Ellen nodded with relief. Without waiting for a response, Alexander opened the last door. They entered a bright, airy office with a large light wood desk, matching shelves, and a small seating area with light-colored fabric.

"This is your domain."

Ellen sighed in relief. She had expected to be stuck in a dark corner of a storage room, but instead, they’d given her a truly comfortable office. That must be thanks to the senior boss. She placed her briefcase on the desk, where a large envelope was waiting for her, and then looked out the floor-to-ceiling window at the parking lot.

"Well, I’ll get back to work," Alexander interrupted her thoughts. "If it’s okay with you, I’ll pick you up in the early afternoon for our tour."

"That’s really kind of you. Early afternoon works perfectly."

"Oh, by the way, we all go by first names here. Is it okay if I call you Ellen?"

"Sure."

"Good. I’m Alexander." With long strides, he walked to the door, then turned back on the threshold. "See you later, Ellen." He flashed a charming smile, revealing two dimples, and left.

Ellen watched him for a moment. Alexander was a bright spot—and quite attractive, too.

Thoughtfully, she took off her jacket and hung it over her chair. Then she sat at the desk, facing away from the window, took her pen from her briefcase, set her laptop on the desk, and opened the large envelope.