My Husband Is a Million Years Old Vampire-Chapter 100

Again Ariana clasped her hands in front of her, maintaining her poised demeanor as she explained further.

"We’ve never had a director before, ma’am. The company was always managed by Hudson and Camille—our two managers. Hudson handles operations, while Camille oversees project coordination. Neither of them officially held the title of director, but many assumed one of them would eventually take over."

Valentina absorbed the information, her fingers lightly tapping against the polished wood of her desk.

"So, you’re saying the company functioned without a director all this time?"

Ariana nodded.

"Yes, ma’am. But yesterday, we were informed that Sterling Design would finally have one. And that’s you."

Valentina blinked, momentarily taken aback. The transition was happening faster than she expected. She had anticipated stepping into an already structured leadership role, but instead, she was stepping into a space that had never had one.

However before she could fully process, Ariana continued, "Also, ma’am, there’s a meeting scheduled in two minutes. All important staff will be present."

Valentina’s eyes widened slightly. "A meeting?"

"Yes, ma’am. Your first official introduction as the director."

As Valentina stepped into the meeting hall, the soft hum of conversation came to an abrupt halt. The air inside the room carried a silent tension, a quiet weight that lingered among the seated employees.

Some of them exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable, while others sat upright, their postures stiff with formality. A few even stood up in acknowledgment as she walked in—a gesture of respect, but also one that hinted at underlying uncertainty.

She knew why, she wasn’t blind to the dynamics at play here. This company had functioned for years without a director, and now, she had walked in from seemingly nowhere and taken the top seat. It wasn’t hard to figure out that some of them had probably been eyeing the position for themselves. Maybe Hudson. Maybe Camille. Maybe both.

Still, she wasn’t here to dwell on that. She was here to work.

With steady steps, she moved toward the front of the room, her expression composed.

Ariana, walking beside her, quietly guided her to the head of the long conference table.

At that moment Valentina took her seat. The meeting was about to begin.

The tension in the air was almost palpable, yet she refused to let it faze her. She had expected this—the resistance, the skepticism, the silent challenges being thrown her way.

At that moment in time she let her gaze sweep across the room, her eyes settling for a brief moment on the two individuals who had hesitated to stand earlier.

A man and a woman. Hudson and Camille. Their reluctance had not gone unnoticed, and Valentina was quick to make note of it.

Still, she wasn’t here to play petty games.

With a calm breath, she leaned slightly forward and offered them all a poised smile before speaking.

"I appreciate you all taking the time to be here today. As some of you may already know, my name is Valentina." She paused for a moment, her tone even, but carrying an undeniable weight. "Valentina Raymond."

At that moment there was a visible shift in the room at the mention of her name—especially the last part. Some employees glanced at each other, others sat up straighter, processing the revelation. She didn’t need to elaborate. The name alone carried the answer they wanted, she wasn’t related to old master Benjamin.

"I understand that change can be unsettling," she continued, her voice steady.

"And I know some of you may have questions or concerns about my arrival here. But let me assure you—I am not here to take away what you have worked so hard to build. I am here to elevate it. To take Sterling Design to a level that it has never reached before."

Then she let her words settle, allowing them to absorb the weight of her statement.

"I won’t ask for blind loyalty or immediate trust. What I will ask for is professionalism, dedication, and an open mind. If we work together, I have no doubt that we can achieve remarkable things."

Her gaze once again flickered toward Hudson and Camille, catching the brief flash of resistance in their eyes before she looked away.

"I look forward to working with each and every one of you."

The room remained silent for a beat, then slowly, one by one, the employees nodded, some more reluctant than others.

The meeting had only just begun.

Valentina maintained a poised expression as she observed the subtle exchange of glances between Hudson and Camille. Their unspoken conversation was obvious—the skepticism in their eyes, the calculation, the silent judgment. They were trying to piece together her identity, her connection to Sterling Design or Sir Benjamin.

And from their expressions, it was clear that they had come to their own conclusions.

She let them think what they wanted. For now.

Shifting her focus back to the entire room, Valentina straightened slightly and clasped her hands on the table. Her voice, when she spoke, was firm yet inviting, carrying a quiet authority that demanded attention.

"Again I want to begin by acknowledging the work that has already been done here. I’ve had the opportunity to review some of our ongoing projects, and I must say, the dedication and effort I’ve seen are commendable."

Then her eyes moved across the faces in the room, giving each of them the impression that she was speaking directly to them.

"Sterling Design is a company with immense potential, and that potential comes from the people sitting in this very room."

At that moment a few employees nodded, while others leaned in slightly, listening intently.

"I know that change can bring uncertainty. A new leader, a new direction—it’s natural to feel hesitant. But let me be clear again, I am not here to dismantle what you have built. I am here to strengthen it, to ensure that each of you gets the recognition and opportunities you deserve."

She allowed her words to settle before continuing.

"What I ask from you is simple—commitment. The same commitment you’ve already shown to this company. A commitment to push limits, to innovate, and to set new standards for excellence in our industry. I am here to lead, but leadership means nothing without a team that believes in the vision."

Again she paused for a moment, her gaze steady.

"So, let’s build something extraordinary together."

For a brief second, there was silence. Then, a few employees exchanged looks before nodding in approval.

Some of the initial tension in the room seemed to ease, but not entirely. She knew trust had to be earned, and she was ready for the challenge.