Chapter 165: Company executives
No one spoke.
Because this
??wasn’t just a suggestion.
??It was pressure.
??
??Alicia lowered her gaze briefly.
??Then lifted it again.
??Calm.
??Controlled.
??"I understand"
??
??"That won’t be necessary."
??
??The words cut in cleanly.
??Cold.
??Decisive.
??
??Everyone turned.
??
??Alexander hadn’t moved.
??But his gaze
??was sharp.
??Unyielding.
??
??"This matter will be resolved."
??His voice was even.
??But carried weight.
??"Director Alicia’s work has not been affected."
??A pause.
??"Nor will her position be."
??
??The senior executive hesitated slightly.
??"CEO Blackwood, I’m only considering the company’s broader"
??
??"I am aware of what you are considering."
??Alexander’s tone didn’t rise.
??But it pressed down.
??Firm.
??Controlled.
??"And I’ve made my position clear."
??
??Silence.
??
??No one spoke again.
??
??Alicia didn’t look at him.
??Not imdiately.
??
??But sothing in her expression—
??shifted.
??Not relief.
??
??Just...
??stillness.
??
??Because she understood.
??
??This wasn’t protection.
??Not entirely.
??
??This was just correction.
??The executive gave a stiff smile. "Alright."
"Let’s move on with the eting," Alexander said calmly.
Jason Smith leaned back slightly, a faint grin on his lips. "What I was going to say has already been covered, so I won’t repeat it."
He paused, then added, "However, a few days ago, Freddy Brown contacted . He ntioned that Director Alicia turned down his sponsorship proposal and even blocked his contact. Alicia, is that true?"
A brief stir moved through the room.
Another executive spoke up, surprised. "Freddy Brown? Isn’t he preparing a talent show? That project has strong comrcial potential. With the idol fanbase behind it, the spending power alone makes it a worthwhile investnt."
Stacy Jas, who oversaw ??clat Beauty and several other brands, glanced toward Alicia. As her direct superior, she rarely interfered in daily operations, but this clearly caught her attention.
All eyes turned.
Alicia t Jason’s gaze and answered calmly, "That’s true."
Jason seized the opening imdiately. "Alicia, you’ve been with the company for two years. Don’t you understand what’s appropriate and what isn’t?"
Stacy stepped in smoothly. "Alicia’s performance has always been excellent. I believe this may just be a misunderstanding. How about this? I’ll arrange a dinner with Mr. Brown and apologize on her behalf. We can resolve this amicably."
"She should apologize herself," Jason cut in, his tone sharpening. "And there’s no better ti than tonight."
A brief silence fell.
Then—
"I’m sorry," Alicia said, her voice steady, "but I won’t apologize to him."
Stacy looked at her in surprise.
Jason had been pressing her repeatedly, but this ti, Alicia didn’t yield.
"I have a clear plan for the brand’s developnt," she continued. "My decision was based on that. If there’s constructive feedback, I’m open to it. But if this is just an accusation without basis, I won’t accept it."
Her tone remained calm, but there was quiet firmness beneath it.
Alexander watched her.
There was no hesitation in her voice. No sign of retreat.
She had changed.
The girl who once stayed silent now held her ground without effort.
Jason’s expression stiffened, color draining from his face under the weight of the room’s attention.
"Then explain it," he pressed. "Why reject him?"
Alicia held his gaze. "Because his project carries significant risk."
She didn’t elaborate.
But she knew exactly what she ant.
Freddy Brown himself was the problem.
It wasn’t just his inappropriate behavior behind the scenes. There were already reports, quiet ones, about how he handled people who refused him. Replacents, pressure, silence.
The investigation hadn’t surfaced publicly yet.
Jason didn’t know.
But she did.
Jason let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "With that many investors backing him, you think the project will just fail?"
"Enough."
Alexander’s voice cut in, cold and decisive.
"Is this really worth turning into an argunt? Or does Jason intend to make this personal?"
Jason’s jaw tightened. "I’m thinking about the company."
Alexander didn’t respond.
But his silence was heavier than words.
He already understood.
Alicia would never cut off a client without reason.
If she had gone that far, then the line had already been crossed.
Stacy stepped in again, her tone light but firm. "Jason, there’s no need to dwell on this. It’s just one program. If cooperation isn’t suitable, we move on."
She turned to Alicia. "Focus on your current work. Don’t let this distract you."
Jason glanced around the room.
No one supported him.
The tension shifted.
His frustration showed as he shot Alicia a sharp look.
But before it could settle—
he felt it.
A chill.
He turned slightly.
Alexander was looking at him.
Calm.
But cold enough to make his chest tighten.
Jason’s expression faltered.
He leaned back into his chair, saying nothing more for the rest of the eting.
??
After the eting ended, Alicia lingered behind, waiting for everyone else to leave before gathering her things.
She had just stepped out when a voice called—
"Alicia. Co to my office."
She turned to see Alexander standing nearby, Jane at his side, as if they had been waiting for her.
Without a word, she followed.
As they reached the entrance of his office, a secretary hurried forward.
"CEO Blackwood, the police officers are here."
"Let them in."
"Police officers?" Alicia asked, slightly confused.
Alexander glanced at her. "I called them. Your contact information being leaked isn’t a small issue."
Alicia paused.
She had planned to report it after work, but she hadn’t expected him to act so quickly.
The officers took her statent efficiently. The rest would be handled by the legal team. Along with the person who leaked her information, several individuals involved in spreading rumors and defamation online would also be pursued.
After the police left, Alicia stood up.
"CEO Blackwood, if there’s nothing else, I’d like to return to work."
Alexander didn’t respond imdiately. His gaze lingered on her before he finally spoke.
"Yesterday... I left my phone in the car. I didn’t see your calls in ti."
Alicia’s expression didn’t change.
He had gone to see Lilian—she already knew that much. And he wouldn’t have wanted to be disturbed.
Now, he was explaining?
Did he think she was asking about that?
"...Oh," she replied simply.
Then, after a brief pause, she added,
"I called because there was a docunt that needed your signature."
Her tone was neutral, almost distant—as if drawing a clear line.
She wasn’t asking about his whereabouts.
She wasn’t interested.
Alexander studied her for a mont.
"I thought you were going to ask if I’d co ho for dinner," he said, a hint of amusent in his voice.
Alicia looked at him, montarily speechless.
That was sothing from the past.
Back when she cared whether he had eaten, whether he was warm enough, whether his tie was straight.
Not now.
Not after everything.
??
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