My Husband Is a Million Years Old Vampire-Chapter 101

Then Valentina let out a small breath before smiling at the team in front of her. Her hands rested lightly on the polished wooden table as she leaned forward just a little, ensuring her words carried weight.

"I’ve had the opportunity to review everything, and I have to say, I like what I see," she began, her voice steady but warm.

"The level of dedication and skill in this company is something truly remarkable. It’s clear that Sterling Design has been built by individuals who are passionate about their work. And that’s exactly why I believe we can take it even further."

Immediately a few nods of agreement rippled through the room, but she could still sense a layer of tension beneath the surface.

She knew that gaining their trust wouldn’t happen overnight, but this was a start.

"I want us to work together," she continued, her tone genuine.

"I know I’m coming in as your new director, and transitions like this can be difficult. That’s why I ask for your patience and cooperation. Let’s move forward as a team, with a shared vision. I believe in all of you, and I hope you’ll believe in me too."

She let her words linger for a moment, studying their reactions. At that moment Some of the employees exchanged glances, considering her words. Then, unexpectedly, a slow clap began from the far end of the table. It was followed by another, then another, until the entire room erupted into applause.

Even the two managers, Hudson and Camille, though hesitant, joined in after a beat—just to maintain appearances.

However Valentina held her composure, but inside, she felt a small wave of relief. It wasn’t a victory just yet, but it was a step in the right direction.

She had made her first move.

As the meeting wrapped up, Valentina watched as the employees slowly filtered out of the room, murmuring amongst themselves. The energy in the air was mixed—some seemed optimistic, a few indifferent, but it was the cold stares of Hudson and Camille that lingered in her mind.

Unlike the others who clapped with enthusiasm, their hands barely met, their expressions unreadable yet sharp towards her. They didn’t say a word, but their message was loud and clear: They didn’t welcome her.

She inhaled deeply, keeping her posture composed.

"This isn’t my first time dealing with opposition, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. I know their type—people who believed the position should have been theirs, who felt entitled to a role they hadn’t been given. It was almost amusing. Almost."

She said to herself, but still, she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in her chest. They’re going to be a problem. But she wasn’t about to let that deter her. If they wanted a challenge, she would handle them accordingly.

Straightening her shoulders, she turned and made her way back to her office, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

There was no time to dwell on unnecessary tension—there was work to do.

At that moment Valentina settled into her chair, the weight of her new responsibilities pressing on her shoulders.

The towering stack of documents on her desk was a testament to the work ahead. Taking a deep breath, she began flipping through them one by one, her eyes scanning each page carefully.

Some were straightforward—minor approvals, supply chain confirmations, and employee evaluations that only required her signature.

Efficient. Organized. Whoever had been handling these before had done a decent job. She signed off on a few without hesitation.

Then, one document caught her eye.

Her brows furrowed as she pulled it closer. A partnership deal. Sterling Design had signed an agreement with Iron Crest Steel, a company specializing in high-end roofing materials and structural steel design.

At first glance, it seemed like a reasonable collaboration—Sterling Design handled premium interior architecture, and Iron Crest Steel focused on external structural reinforcements. A mutually beneficial partnership. Or so it seemed.

She leaned back, flipping through the clauses again. Something was off.

The percentage split was skewed—Sterling Design was expected to pay an outrageous upfront fee, one that made no financial sense given the scope of the deal. In exchange, Iron Crest Steel was offering minimal involvement, yet they were set to receive a disproportionate cut of profits.

Then her grip on the paper tightened.

Who the hell approved this?

She flipped to the signature page and—of course—Hudson.

At that moment Valentina’s lips pressed into a thin line. So this was his work? No wonder there were only a few contracts "pending approval." He had been signing deals that heavily favored outside parties—either out of incompetence or something more sinister.

Then She tapped her fingers against the desk.

This wasn’t just a bad deal—it was a deliberate trap. And if she hadn’t caught it in time, Sterling Design would have been bleeding money for the next five years, trapped in an exploitative contract.

"Hudson."

Her eyes darkened. If he thought she was going to be a passive director, someone who would blindly sign off on whatever he put in front of her, he had another thing coming.

Valentina’s fingers tightened around the document as she scanned the figures again to fully understand. Five years? That didn’t align with any of the contracts Sterling Design had previously signed.

Every other contract she had reviewed so far granted one to two years for the partner company to fulfill their end of the deal. But this one? Five whole years? And the sum involved—it was astronomically high.

Then Her jaw tightened, her instincts screamed at her, so she reached for her phone.

She quickly pulled up Iron Crest Steel’s records and began scrolling through their history.

Then she found it.

Immediately Her eyes narrowed.

The company had a history of allegations.

Multiple lawsuits had been filed against them over the years, accusing them of providing low-quality materials for construction projects.

Valentina’s heart pounded as she dug deeper.

One particular case stood out—a collapsed building.

A high-rise project they had been contracted to build had crumbled before completion, causing massive losses.

The company had dodged liability by blaming external factors, but the evidence pointed at faulty steel reinforcements and substandard roofing materials.

At that moment Valentina clenched her jaw. How did this deal even make it past the approval stage?

This wasn’t just a bad contract.

This was a disaster waiting to happen.