Chapter 7 The Top Floor Reunion

The arrogant receptionist planted her hands firmly on the polished desk, eyeing Rowena’s casual attire with unadulterated disdain. In her shallow mind, she had already written Rowena off as a desperate, scarlet woman trying to use her physical looks to secure a sugar daddy. She leaned forward with a haughty smirk. "A client? Do you possess even the slightest clue about who you are asking for? Pinnacle's CEO has a staggering net worth in the hundreds of millions. He is someone a lowly wench like you could never even dream of bagging in your wildest fantasies!"

Inwardly, Rowena let out a dry, incredulous scoff. Based strictly on her own inherited net worth of thirty billion, she sharply realized she was sitting way above this mysterious CEO on the wealth ladder. As her internal fury mounted at the blatant disrespect, Rowena decided she was unwilling to waste another breath on this wretched, superficial employee.

Her expression turned dead-frigid. Her aura radiated an oppressive chill that instantly dropped the temperature around the reception desk. She leaned slightly over the counter, locking eyes with the woman, and delivered a hard, uncompromising command. "Give your superior a direct call immediately and announce that I have arrived. If the CEO refuses to see me, I will personally bear all the consequences."

Smug and expecting building security to forcefully throw this trespasser out onto the street within seconds, the receptionist picked up the phone. She made the call, embellishing her complaints with whiny exaggerations about a crazy woman making a scene. However, as the voice on the other end spoke, her arrogant, mocking smile froze. It melted into a state of paralyzing astonishment as she listened to her superior's frantic tone.

Reading the sheer panic washing over the receptionist's pale face, Rowena sneered with a terrifying calmness. "Which floor do I need to go to?"

Trembling uncontrollably, the petrified woman stammered, "The... the office is on the top floor. Level twenty-seven."

Without offering the shivering receptionist a single backward glance, Rowena firmly gripped the handle of her heavy suitcase and dragged it directly into the VIP elevator. She left the woman floored, hyperventilating, and wildly speculating in terror if this beautiful woman was actually the CEO's secretive, powerful lover.

Arriving unhindered at the luxurious top floor, Rowena strode down the quiet corridor and confidently pushed open the heavy mahogany doors of the grand executive office.

Inside, a regal, handsome man lounging on the leather couch sprang to his feet. His sharp eyes instantly danced with brilliant joy.

"Welcome back, Birdie," he murmured in a rich baritone voice brimming with familial indulgence. "And let me warmly congratulate you on your finalized divorce."

Rowena froze in her tracks, her eyes flushing a deep, emotional red with genuine surprise. "Pierce?" she called out softly.

She had never in her wildest dreams imagined that the mysterious CEO of Pinnacle would turn out to be her third eldest brother, Pierce Vance.

Flinging her heavy suitcase aside, she rushed across the expansive room. She threw herself into his waiting arms, tightly burying her face deep into his broad chest. "Did you miss me?" she playfully demanded, her voice thick with emotion.

"Every day," Pierce replied, gently stroking her soft hair. Yet, his gaze momentarily grew icy with lethal protectiveness at the mere thought of her painful three-year past. He fiercely stated how glad he was that she finally divorced. "What on earth gave the insignificant Thorne family the audacity to pick on the most beloved heiress of the Vance Group and our precious little princess?"

Noticeably catching his darkening, murderous mood, Rowena quickly and expertly shifted the topic to business to distract him. Pulling back slightly, she looked up at him and explained the ironclad agreement she just signed with their father. She urgently detailed the strict mandate. "I must independently boost Pinnacle's overall profits by a massive five percent compared to the previous fiscal year. You have to help me navigate this corporate minefield, Pierce."

Pierce shook his head with a soft, affectionate smile, gently leading her by the hand to the plush couch. He admitted that achieving a five percent increment was indeed a tad difficult for a newcomer. "But Dad expressly forbade me from helping you cheat the system," Pierce revealed. He clarified that he could only assist her with the ground-level executions. All the critical, high-stakes decisions must be born from her own mind.

Rowena's face visibly fell in disappointment. She knew full well that Pierce held practically half the entire national entertainment industry directly in the palm of his hand. A single, casual phone call from him could easily skyrocket Pinnacle's profits overnight. Yet, she realized their shrewd father had perfectly anticipated this exact loophole and intentionally backed her into a strategic corner.

Reaching out to affectionately pinch her soft cheek, Pierce chuckled. "You silly girl. It is beneficial for you to gain real, hands-on corporate practice." He stood up, smoothing his suit jacket. "Since you are officially here to take the reins, I should immediately step down as the interim CEO and hand over the title to you."

"No, wait!" Rowena rapidly objected, throwing her hands up to stop him.

She sank back into the leather cushions, rubbing her chin in deep, tactical contemplation. A moment later, she flashed her brother a sly, mischievous wink. "I have a far better, undercover suggestion," she declared playfully, gesturing for him to sit back down. "Hear me out."

An hour of intense plotting later, the powerful siblings reached a solid, unshakeable consensus. Their strategy was locked into place.

Exactly five minutes later, a sharp system-wide ping echoed through the massive building. Every single employee in Pinnacle Corporation simultaneously received an urgent, confidential email notice: the company would soon formally welcome a mysterious, brand-new talent director.