I walk into the office and Charles and Edward are already waiting for me in the conference room. Great. I had hoped to get settled in before having to deal with this, but it seems they're not willing to wait.

I take a seat across from them, my eyes meeting Charles's.

"Nice of you to join us, Ares," he says, his voice filled with annoyance.

I know they want the details. I know they want to know where the company's missing money went. But I'm not giving them more details than necessary. They act like they own this company, not me. They're only partners. I still own the majority share.

"I'm here," I say, leaning back in my chair.

"Good. We need to talk," Charles continues, his eyes narrowing.

"About what?" I ask, feigning ignorance.

"Don't play dumb, Ares. You know damn well what," Edward interjects, his tone harsh.

"I've already told you what you need to know," I reply, keeping my expression neutral.

"And we're not satisfied," Charles states, his gaze fixed on me.

I stare back at him, unblinking. "That's not my problem."

Edward leans forward, his hands clenched into fists. "It is your problem, Ares. It's your company. Your responsibility," he snaps.

"I have no obligation to share everything with you. We had a problem and I fixed it. End of story," I retort, my tone firm.

"And you refuse to tell us where the money went," Charles spits, his voice rising.

"Yes," I confirm, leaning back in my chair. "There are some things you don't need to know."

"Bullshit," Edward seethes, his knuckles white.

"Enough," I growl, standing up. "We have nothing more to talk about. If you have a problem with the way I run this company, then feel free to find another business to invest in."

I stalk out of the room, their shouts following after me. Storming into my office, I slam the door shut behind me, muffling their protests.

I collapse in my chair, frustration coursing through me. Dealing with those two is a pain in the ass. They've never liked how I run this company, always questioning my decisions.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm down. I need to focus on work. I have a lot to catch up on, and arguing with Charles and Edward is a waste of time.

I turn on my computer, letting the screen's glow wash over the dimly lit room. The inbox icon is already flashing with a relentless urgency, but I ignore it for a moment, leaning back in my chair.

The confrontation with Charles and Edward left a sour taste in my mouth. Partners or not, their incessant need for control grates on my nerves. This company was my vision, my sweat and blood. That they would dare to challenge my authority irks me more than I want to admit.

I finally click on the inbox, sifting through the emails. Each email represents a person, a project, or a problem that needs my attention, my decision. It's overwhelming but also invigorating. This company, despite the headaches it sometimes causes, is my life's work.

Halfway through the emails, a message from an unknown sender catches my eye. The subject line reads, "Opportunity." Usually, I'd dismiss it as spam, but something about it piques my curiosity. I open it.

The message is cryptic, offering a chance to invest in a groundbreaking project with potential for high returns. It's light on details, asking for a meeting to discuss further. My instinct tells me it's a risk, but then again, every business venture carries its share of risks. Maybe this is the opportunity I've been looking for to expand the company's horizons, to prove Charles and Edward wrong about my capabilities as a leader.

I mark the email for follow-up and continue through my inbox, but my thoughts keep drifting back to the mysterious opportunity.

Deciding to clear my head, I stand and walk over to the large window overlooking the city. The view from the 20th floor is breathtaking, a reminder of how far I've come and how much further I want to go. I think about the mysterious email again. Could it be the key to taking my company to the next level?

My phone rings, snapping me out of my reverie. Hoping it's Emma, I grab it immediately. But it isn't her, just another work call.

As I glance at the caller ID, recognizing the number of our lead project manager, Diego, a surge of reality pulls me back from the brink of my daydreaming. With a steadying breath, I answer, already shifting gears to address whatever issue or update is at hand.

"Ares speaking," I say, trying to mask the lingering frustration from my earlier encounter.

"Hey, Ares. Sorry to bother you, but we've hit a snag with the Phoenix Project. There's an issue with the supply chain, and it's going to set us back at least two weeks," Diego's voice comes through, tense and apologetic.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, feeling the weight of responsibility bearing down. "Alright, walk me through it. What exactly happened, and what are our options?"

As Diego explains the situation, detailing the unexpected delay from our materials supplier and the ripple effects on our timeline, I start pacing in front of the window.

I just got back into town and already have a full list of things that need my attention, and it's only growing as the day continues.

"Let's strategize a workaround," I suggest, my mind racing through potential solutions. "Can we source the materials from another supplier, even if it costs more? Or can we resequence the project tasks to keep other areas moving forward?"

"We can try both," Diego responds, sounding relieved that I'm not panicking. "I'll get quotes from alternative suppliers and see how we can adjust the project schedule."

"Good. Keep me updated, and let's move quickly. We can't afford to lose momentum," I say, a plan forming in my mind. Ending the call, I feel exhausted.

Turning back to my desk, I jot down a few notes about the Phoenix Project, already considering who else on the team needs to be involved in the solution. Then, my gaze drifts back to the mysterious email about the investment opportunity. Despite the immediate issues demanding my attention, the prospect of exploring new ventures is enticing. It's a reminder that growth often comes from taking risks, from stepping into the unknown.

With a deep breath, I decide to reply to the email, setting up a meeting to learn more about the project. It's a gamble, but no great achievement was ever made without a bit of risk. Balancing the day-to-day management of the company with exploring new opportunities is what being a leader is all about.

I call in my secretary, Kasey, and have her order lunch for me.

As Kasey walks in, she immediately senses the tension in the air. "Lunch, Ares? What would you like?"

"Just get me the usual from Giovanni's. And a large coffee," I reply, trying not to let the frustration seep into my voice. "Oh, and schedule a meeting with Diego and the team about the Phoenix Project for first thing tomorrow morning. We need to address this supply chain issue head-on."

"Will do," Kasey responds, jotting down notes on her tablet. "Anything else you need?"

"Just peace and quiet," I mutter under my breath as she walks out.

Alone again, I lean back in my chair, allowing myself a moment of quiet before diving back into work. The room is silent except for the faint hum of the city outside and the occasional click of my keyboard as I draft a reply to the mysterious investment opportunity email.

"Let's meet and discuss the details of your project," I type, intrigued by the possibility of new ventures but mindful of the risks. "I'm interested in understanding the scope and potential returns."

With the email sent, I feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension. This could be the breakthrough we've been waiting for, or it could be a distraction from the pressing issues at hand.

And a distraction from Emma and her non-existent texts.

As I wait for Kasey to return with my lunch, my thoughts drift to the confrontation with Charles and Edward. Their lack of faith in my leadership is irritating, but it's not entirely surprising. They've always been more conservative, more risk-averse. Perhaps this new venture, if viable, could prove to them once and for all that my approach-bold, but calculated-is what will take this company to new heights.

The sound of the door opening breaks my train of thought. Kasey walks in, balancing a tray with my lunch and a large coffee. "Here you go, Ares. And your meeting with Diego is set for 9 AM tomorrow."

"Thanks, Kasey," I say, my attention already shifting back to the tasks at hand. "That'll be all for now."

As she leaves, I start on my lunch, my mind already racing through the next steps for the Phoenix Project, the potential investment, and the myriad other challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The path of an entrepreneur is never easy, but it's the thrill of the unknown, the promise of success just around the corner, that keeps me going.

I check my phone every so often, but there are still no texts from Emma.

Finishing my lunch, I try to shove the disappointment to the back of my mind. Emma's silence is a puzzle, one that I don't have the pieces to solve right now.

I hope she isn't cutting me completely off. It was my biggest fear when leaving.

Focusing on what I can control, I decide to tackle the Phoenix Project head-on.

Pulling up the project timeline on my computer, I begin to rearrange tasks, identifying what can be advanced while we sort out the supply chain issue. The work is meticulous, requiring a level of focus that thankfully pushes thoughts of Emma, Charles, and Edward aside. For now, at least, I can lose myself in the logistics and planning, areas where I excel and feel most in control.

Hours pass as I work through the project details, occasionally stopping to jot down notes or send off an email to Diego with my thoughts and suggestions. By the time I glance at the clock, the office has grown quiet, the usual bustle of the day winding down as evening approaches.

The office is nearly empty now, the quiet a stark contrast to the storm of activity and emotion from earlier in the day. I consider going home but decide to stay a little longer, enjoying the peace and the space to think without interruption.

Finally, as the city lights begin to twinkle on in the growing dusk, I pack up my things and head out, locking the office behind me. The day has been long and fraught with challenges, but I feel a sense of accomplishment and cautious optimism about what lies ahead.

As I make my way home, my thoughts inevitably drift back to Emma. I wonder what she's doing, if she's thinking about me. If she doesn't text tomorrow, I'm going to call her.

I can't help but wonder what the future might hold for us. The uncertainty is unsettling, but for now, I have to let it go. There are too many variables, too many unknowns. For tonight, at least, I'll focus on what I can control and hope for the best.

Stepping into the cool evening air, I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the day begin to lift.