Meet Lalisa Manoban, known to the world as LISA, a top supermodel with a deep dislike for men who cross the line.
But everything changes when she meets a mysterious man-one who carries an air of danger and power. She has no idea that this encounte...
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The air in the meeting room was suffocating. I sat at the head of the long, glass table, my fingers clenched around a printed financial report. Across from me, my team wore the same tense expressions-eyes downcast, hands clasped, waiting for me to speak.
I didn't want to. I didn't want to accept what was happening.
"Our biggest investor has officially backed out," my assistant, Rachel, announced, breaking the silence. "That means the runway show partnership is dead, and we won't be supplying gowns. We've already poured resources into production, and now..." She hesitated, biting her lip before finishing, "We're looking at a major financial loss."
I exhaled slowly, pressing my fingers against my temples. I had worked too hard to build this boutique, too hard to create a brand that was thriving. And now, it was slipping through my fingers.
"How much money are we talking?" I asked, my voice steady but cold.
Rachel exchanged a glance with another team member before answering. "After the scam incident and the lost partnership, we're down nearly two million dollars."
A heavy weight settled in my chest.
Two million.
I kept my face emotionless, even as my pulse pounded against my skull.
"We have options," one of my financial advisors spoke up. "We could take out a loan, but given the current losses, it might be difficult to get approval."
Another spoke. "We could downsize-cut some of the new collections, reduce production, close a few stores."
"No," I said firmly. "We don't close anything."
I had built this business from the ground up. I wasn't about to start tearing it apart.
Rachel hesitated before speaking again. "Ma'am... we need to be realistic. We need investors. If we don't find one soon, this could mean bankruptcy."
Bankruptcy. The word felt like a slap.
I lifted my chin, swallowing the frustration building inside me. "I'll figure something out."
The team exchanged uneasy glances, but they didn't argue. The meeting ended, and one by one, they filed out of the room, leaving me alone.
I let out a slow breath, leaning back in my chair.
