# Chapter One: The New Employee
The morning sun shone brightly through the enormous glass windows of Valemont Group Headquarters, illuminating the luxurious building that stood proudly among the tallest skyscrapers in the city. Expensive cars arrived one after another, dropping off executives, managers, and employees who hurried through the revolving doors, each preparing for another demanding day.
Valemont Group was one of the most successful business empires in the country, with interests spanning several industries. Its name was associated with wealth, excellence, and influence, and the man at the centre of it all was none other than Alexander Valemont.
At thirty-two, Alexander was the kind of man who could make an entire room turn its attention toward him without saying a single word.
He possessed a striking kind of beauty that was difficult to overlook. His face was sharply defined, with a strong jawline, a straight nose, and perfectly balanced features. His dark hair was neatly styled, complementing his piercing eyes and naturally intimidating expression. His tall, well-built frame made him look even more commanding in the perfectly tailored black suits he wore almost every day.
There was something undeniably attractive about Alexander, but his beauty was not the welcoming kind that made strangers feel comfortable approaching him. It was the kind that made people admire him from a distance.
Women admired him, men respected him, and business executives often found themselves carefully choosing their words whenever they stood before him.
Yet Alexander was not a man who allowed admiration to distract him from his ambitions.
He was intelligent, disciplined, and exceptionally demanding. He expected perfection from himself, and he expected the people who worked for him to give nothing less than their best.
At that very moment, Alexander sat behind the enormous black desk in his private office, reviewing several documents that required his approval.
His office occupied the highest floor of the building. The walls were decorated in shades of black, grey, and white, while a magnificent view of the city stretched beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. A leather sofa stood near a bookshelf, and a small meeting table occupied one corner of the spacious room.
Everything was elegant, expensive, and perfectly arranged.
Alexander glanced at his wristwatch before returning to the document in front of him.
He had three meetings scheduled before noon, a financial report to review, and a political engagement later that evening. His schedule was already full, and he had no intention of allowing anything unnecessary to interfere with it.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Daniel Brooks, his personal office manager, stepped inside.
Daniel was a well-presented man in his early forties. He had neatly trimmed hair, a clean-shaven face, and a professional manner that suited his position. He had worked with Alexander long enough to understand that his employer appreciated efficiency and disliked having his time wasted.
“Good morning, sir,” Daniel greeted.
“Morning.” Alexander continued reading. “What is it?”
Daniel approached the desk, holding a brown folder against his chest.
“Sir, I need to speak with you about the new employee who is supposed to resume today.”
Alexander stopped turning the pages.
“The new employee?”
“Yes, sir.”
He raised his eyes toward Daniel.
“What about her?”
Daniel placed the folder on the desk and opened it.
“She has completed the recruitment process, sir. Her documents have been approved, and she's been assigned to work as your executive assistant.”
Alexander leaned back in his chair.
“My executive assistant?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And when exactly was this decision made?”
“Last week, sir. The recruitment department handled the interviews and submitted its recommendation.”
Alexander's expression became slightly colder.
“And nobody thought it necessary to inform me that someone new would be working directly under me?”
Daniel cleared his throat.
“I apologize, sir. I believe there was a misunderstanding between the recruitment department and the administrative office. I only received the final confirmation yesterday evening.”
Alexander stared at him for a moment before looking down at the folder.
“What's her name?”
“Olivia Bennett.”
Alexander opened the folder and glanced at the first page.
“Qualifications?”
“She studied business administration and has three years of experience working as an administrative assistant for a private company. Her references have been checked, and her employment records are in order.”
“Is she capable of doing the job?”
“According to the recruitment director, yes, sir.”
Alexander closed the folder.
“I don't need someone who looks good on paper. I need someone who understands that working in this office requires discipline, intelligence, and discretion. I won't tolerate carelessness, and I certainly won't spend my days correcting avoidable mistakes.”
“Understood, sir.”
“Is she here?”
“Yes, sir. She's waiting outside.”
Alexander checked the time on his watch.
“Send her in.”
Daniel nodded.
“Of course, sir.”
He turned toward the door, but Alexander spoke again before he could leave.
“Daniel.”
The manager stopped.
“Yes, sir?”
“Find out why I wasn't informed about this appointment before today. I don't appreciate surprises when they concern my office.”
“I'll look into it immediately.”
“Good. Now send her in.”
Daniel left the office and closed the door behind him.
For a few moments, Alexander remained focused on his work. He had no particular interest in the arrival of another employee. As far as he was concerned, she had been hired to do a job, and he expected her to do it well.
Outside the office, however, Olivia Bennett was trying to steady her nerves.
It was her first day working at Valemont Group, and she understood perfectly well what that meant. Getting the position had not been easy, and the thought of working directly for Alexander Valemont made the opportunity feel both exciting and intimidating.
Olivia was twenty-six years old, with a natural beauty that did not require much effort to notice. Her warm brown complexion complemented her expressive dark eyes, while her soft, full lips and delicate facial features gave her a feminine elegance. Her long, dark hair fell neatly around her shoulders, framing her oval face. She had a graceful figure and carried herself with a quiet confidence that made her presence noticeable without demanding attention.
She wore a fitted cream blouse tucked into a black pencil skirt, paired with elegant black heels. A small handbag rested on her shoulder, and she held her résumé folder carefully in both hands.
Olivia had spent time preparing for this morning. She had selected her outfit the night before, reviewed the company's history, and rehearsed the professional introduction she intended to give her new employer.
Still, she could not completely silence the nervousness in her stomach.
Everyone knew Alexander Valemont.
His photographs appeared in business magazines, newspapers, and reports about influential figures in the country's corporate world. He was admired for his achievements, his wealth, and his remarkable career. But stories about his demanding personality were almost as common as stories about his success.
Some people described him as a brilliant businessman.
Others called him difficult to please.
Olivia had no intention of allowing rumours to frighten her before she had even met him.
She wanted to do her job, prove her abilities, and build a successful career.
The office door opened, and Daniel stepped out.
“Miss Bennett?”
Olivia immediately stood.
“Yes, sir.”
“Mr. Valemont is ready to see you. You may go in now.”
“Thank you.”
She took a quiet breath, adjusted her blouse, and walked toward the door.
Daniel opened it for her.
“Go ahead.”
Olivia stepped into the office.
For a brief moment, her attention was drawn to the magnificent room. The enormous windows, the luxurious furniture, and the immaculate desk reflected the status of the man who worked there.
Then she saw him.
Alexander Valemont sat behind his desk, dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and a dark tie. His attention remained on a document for another second before he slowly raised his head.
Olivia finally understood why people found him intimidating.
His eyes were striking, his expression unreadable, and his presence powerful even without him saying anything. He was more handsome in person than he appeared in photographs, but there was a coldness in his gaze that made it difficult to tell what he was thinking.
Alexander looked at her from head to toe, not in an openly inappropriate manner, but with the measured scrutiny of a man assessing someone who had just entered his professional world.
Olivia stood straight, holding her folder against her body.
“Good morning, sir.”
Alexander said nothing immediately.
Instead, he studied her face for another moment before gesturing toward the chair in front of his desk.
“Have a seat, Miss Bennett.”
“Thank you, sir.”
She sat down carefully.
Alexander opened her file.
“Olivia Bennett. Twenty-six years old. Business administration graduate. Three years of administrative experience.”
He lifted his eyes toward her.
“Tell me, Miss Bennett. Why do you believe you're qualified to work as my executive assistant?”
Olivia had prepared for the question, but hearing it from him made her sit a little straighter.
“Because I understand the responsibilities that come with the position, sir. I know that an executive assistant must be organized, discreet, attentive to details, and capable of handling pressure. I also understand that the person in this position must respect the executive's time and make sure important responsibilities are handled efficiently.”
Alexander listened without interrupting.
Olivia continued.
“In my previous position, I managed schedules, organized meetings, prepared reports, and communicated with clients and senior management. I learned to prioritize tasks and handle confidential information professionally. I believe those experiences have prepared me for this role.”
Alexander closed the file.
“Confidence is easy to demonstrate during an interview, Miss Bennett. Consistency is more difficult.”
“Yes, sir. I understand.”
“Do you?”
His question was simple, but his tone made Olivia pause.
Alexander leaned forward slightly.
“I expect my schedule to be followed accurately. I expect my correspondence to be handled professionally. I expect confidential matters to remain confidential, and I expect problems to be brought to my attention before they become disasters. I have no interest in excuses, and I don't appreciate people who need to be reminded repeatedly of their responsibilities.”
Olivia held his gaze.
“I understand your expectations, sir. I'll do my best to meet them.”
“Doing your best is not always enough. I expect results.”
There was no anger in his voice, but there was little warmth either.
Olivia nodded.
“Understood, sir.”
Alexander returned her file to the desk.
“You'll begin by reviewing my schedule, familiarizing yourself with the company's internal procedures, and learning how this office operates. Daniel will provide you with the necessary information.”
“Thank you for the opportunity, sir.”
“Don't thank me yet. Show me that hiring you was the right decision.”
Olivia rose from her chair.
“I will, sir.”
Alexander gave a brief nod, already turning his attention back to his work.
“Daniel will show you your workspace.”
Olivia collected her folder.
“Have a good day, Mr. Valemont.”
She turned and walked toward the door, doing her best to maintain her composure.
Just before she reached it, Alexander spoke again.
“Miss Bennett.”
She stopped and turned around.
“Yes, sir?”
“Your working hours begin at eight. Tomorrow, I expect you to be ready to work at eight, not walking through the door at eight.”
Olivia felt a small wave of embarrassment.
“Yes, sir. I understand.”
“Good.”
She left the office and quietly closed the door behind her.
For several seconds, Olivia stood in the corridor, exhaling the breath she had not realized she was holding.
Her new boss was every bit as intimidating as the rumours suggested.
But she had not come to Valemont Group to be intimidated.
She had come to build a future for herself.
And she intended to do exactly that.
Inside his office, Alexander signed the document in front of him and reached for the next one.
The morning continued.
For him, Olivia Bennett was simply a new employee who had to prove herself.
For Olivia, Alexander Valemont was a demanding employer whose approval would have to be earned.
Neither of them knew what the coming days would bring.
For now, they were simply a businessman and his new executive assistant, beginning an ordinary working relationship inside one of the most powerful companies in the country.
And that was where their story began.
