"Manager Hayes, don't worry," Richard Coleman said with a tired smile, though his voice tried to sound firm. "Wages will be paid soon. I'll never delay paying anyone, you can take my word for it."
He paused, took a deep breath, and added, with a glimmer of hope in his eyes:
-The Lord Adrian Fosteris here today to inspect the company. If we reach an agreement, Coleman Media will reach new heights.
The employees, who had been working listlessly until a few minutes earlier, raised their heads. The rumor of the acquisition was already spreading like wildfire, and hearing those words directly from the CEO sparked a general murmur.
Richard, deep down, felt his soul being torn apart. Half a lifetime of sacrifices, all-nighters in front of balance sheets, endless negotiations... everything reduced to ashes. Now all he was left with was the anguish of losing what he had worked so hard to build.
Olivia Hayes, the content manager, looked at him with her large, pale eyes. She had worked with him long enough to know he always meant what he said. It was that same integrity that had convinced her to join Coleman Media, even though the company hadn't paid salaries for weeks.
"Okay," she replied, her voice soft but firm. Her eyes shone with determination, and she turned to Adrian, who was watching her calmly.
Adrián received a detailed presentation of the content department. Olivia showed him projects, statistics, and the creative team. Her words were followed with absolute respect: there, her voice was the law. Adrián noticed it immediately; she wasn't just a manager, she was the heart of the department.
He didn't stay in the apartment too long, knowing that revealing too much interest would arouse suspicion. Before leaving, Olivia noticed how his eyes lingered on her more than usual.
When Adrian left, a laughing voice broke the silence.
"Olivia, who is that handsome boy?" she asked mischievously.Sophie Turner, a young woman of petite stature, with braided blonde hair and a white dress that emphasized her youthful freshness. She was Olivia's best friend and one of the few people she treated with complete confidence.
"The man who plans to buy our company," Olivia replied calmly, although her voice trembled for just a moment.
"Oh, wow... rich and handsome," Sophie laughed, playfully nudging him. "He has an amazing body, he's young, a millionaire... the whole package. What do you think? Do you have any ideas?"
Olivia rolled her eyes.
—You're crazy. How do you think someone like us could even think about a man like that?
"Don't try to fool me," Sophie replied, lowering her voice but still flashing a mischievous smile. "When you saw him at the reception, you smiled at him like you'd never smiled before. And when he left… you stared at his back like he was a painting. Was it love at first sight?"
Olivia felt her heart beat faster, but she forced herself to maintain her composure.
"Idiot!" she replied, punching her friend in the arm.
To distract herself, she and Richard worked together to organize Coleman Media's internal information, preparing documents that would be sent to Adrián for review. Shortly after, she left the company, although Adrián's image never left her mind.
Meanwhile, Adrian, already sitting in hisAston Martin, dialed the number of his personal lawyer.
"Prepare the acquisition of Coleman Media. I want you and your team to handle everything," he ordered in a firm voice.
"Understood, Mr. Foster," the lawyer responded efficiently. "I guarantee you, you'll have quick results."
He hung up the call and sighed. He wasn't one to get involved in legal procedures; that's why he paid astronomical sums to the best. They took care of everything.
But despite his usual serenity, his mind was restless. Every gesture of Olivia's returned again and again, like an echo impossible to silence. A cold shower at home managed to calm him, but not completely. Perhaps that was love.
"That's so nice," he whispered as he lay down that night, sleep dragging him toward images where Olivia was always present.
Over the next few days, he maintained his routine: live streams on Twitch, workouts, and quick meetings with his lawyer. The difference was that now he felt lighter, more enthusiastic. He had a new spark in his life.
His legal team worked at full speed. In less than ten days, they had gathered extensive information on Coleman Media and developed an acquisition plan. Only the final step remained: direct negotiations.
The day of the signing arrived. Adrián appeared at the company's headquarters dressed in a white T-shirt and shorts, as if he were going shopping. At his side, a group of lawyers and accountants in suits followed him, radiating solemnity. His contrast with them didn't make him seem less powerful; quite the opposite: it made him stand out even more.
Upon entering, he stopped at the reception desk.
"Claire, are you dreaming about food again?" Adrian joked, gently knocking on the desk to wake the receptionist.
Claire Miller, small and absent-minded, looked up in surprise.
"I was wondering what to order for lunch," she murmured, embarrassed. "Mr. Foster, what are you doing here?"
"If all goes well, I'll soon be your boss," he replied with a confident smile.
The young woman opened her eyes in surprise.
—Really?
"Of course. And if I do, you'll be the first person fired for being lazy," Adrian added jokingly, giving her a friendly pat on the hand.
Claire snorted indignantly, but couldn't help but laugh.
As we moved towards the main office, murmurs among the employees multiplied:
—That must be the new boss…
—They say he's a famous streamer, a multimillionaire…
—He's not even 25, what does he know about running a business?
—He knows more than he lets on…
Adrian ignored them with his usual calm. Upon entering, he found Richard Coleman and Emily Carter waiting for him. The former looked on the verge of tears, while the latter maintained her professional elegance.
"Adrian, I've waited a long time for you," Richard said with a shaky smile.
After a few friendly words, the documents were spread out on the table. The negotiation was brief: Adrián agreed to pay more than the company was actually worth.
"Eighteen million dollars," his lawyer confirmed, signing the documents.
Richard slumped back in his chair, tears in his eyes.
—Thanks, Adrian… without you, I don't know what I would have done. I would have ended up jumping off this building.
Adrian put a hand on his shoulder.
—You don't have to carry that weight alone anymore.
Richard burst into tears in front of everyone, releasing years of pressure and frustration. The employees, upon hearing the news, looked at each other in shock.
Coleman Media had a new owner.
Adrian Foster, the young millionaire, had just become boss.