The CEO Above My Desk (Mckenzie Shinabery) novel Chapter 261

The CEO Above My Desk

Chapter 261

Sneak Peak 3# – Rowan

I was fairly certain every person in this room thought I was joking.

Unfortunately for them… I wasn’t.

The conference room sat perched on the top floor of one of our temporary office buildings while the new Ashcroft Industries headquarters rose steadily across town. Floor–to–ceiling windows framed a sprawling cityscape, the skyline glittering in the morning light. A massive walnut conference table stretched through the center of the room, polished to a mirror shine that reflected the tension in the air.

Around that table sat the key players. Six investors, three developers, two architects, a city planning committee representative, my legal team, Devin, and my new assistant.

The poor bastard still hadn’t figured out how things worked around here.

Most people didn’t..

My assistant glanced nervously at his watch, then toward the empty chair at the far end of the table, and finally back at me. The confusion on his face was becoming impossible to miss.

“Sir?” he ventured.

I looked up from my coffee, meeting his uncertain gaze. “Yeah?”

“Are we waiting for someone?”

Several heads around the table exchanged amused glances.

I smiled, calm and deliberate. “Yes.”

The assistant blinked, clearly caught off guard by the simple answer. “Should we start without them?”

“No.” My response was immediate, unwavering.

A few investors blinked in surprise.

One chuckled softly. “We don’t want to keep Mr. Ashcroft waiting

I leaned back in my chair, eyes sharp. “No.” The roosi quieted, the hum of whispers fading. “You don’t.”

The investor’s smirk faltered. “Excuse me?”

I took a slow sip of coffee, savoring the moment. “Just remember, you’re not here to convince me.”

The silence that followed was perfect.

Absolutely beautiful.

elopers exchanged confused glances. An architect frowned. The city representative shifted nervously. My assistant looked utterly lost.

Across from me, Devin lowered his coffee with a grin spreading across his face because he knew exactly what was about to happen.

Poor idiots.

One developer finally broke the silence with a nervous tough. “I wasn’t aware anyone else was involved.”

I smiled, the edges of my mouth curling with unmistakable confidence. “Oh.”

The doors swung open.

My smile widened. “Now you are.”

Every head turned.

And just like that… The entire energy in the room shifted.

Violet walked in like she owned the place.

Which, technically, she did.

Her cream–colored knitted dress hugged her figure perfectly, falling just below her knees. The high turtleneck added a touch of refined elegance while her white heels clicked confidently against the polished hardwood floor.

Her dark hair cascaded in soft waves over her shoulders. Professional. Sophisticated. Beautiful. Dangerous.

Especially dangerous.

The room hadn’t figured that part out yet.

Behind her strode Camille.

My sister–in–law commanded just as much attention.

Her deep red dress contrasted vividly with her dark hair, and her black strappy heels, clicked assertively.

In one hand, she carried Violet’s briefcase, in the other, a tablet already loaded with notes.

Theo once joked marrying Camille was like adopting chaos.

I believed him.

1 rose slowly as Violet approached

Everyone else followed suit.

Well trained… Good.

Violet’s smile landed on me, and it nearly wrecked my ability to think.

Three years later. One child later. Still a problem. A very beautiful problem.

When she reached me, I leaned down and kissed her cheek, professional enough for the room, possessive enough for me.

Then I turned to the others. “Ladies and gentlemen,” I announced, my voice steady. “I’d like to introduce my wife and business partner.”

Several faces shifted, surprised.

The investor nearest the window blinked.

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