A few scowls flickered around the table.She ignored them.
“Overlock, the corporation that owns Sinstack, believes it’s time for a new direction.”She leaned forward, bracing her hands on the table.“If we don’t turn this company around with this next seasonal line, we could all be out of jobs.”
That got their attention.People straightened in their seats.Even those without chairs pulled away from the walls.
“But I have ideas that can work.”
“Who the hell put you in charge?”Joannie snapped.
Before Jemma could answer, Saif stepped forward.“I did.”
He stepped forward, his tone cool and absolute.“As the majority stockholder in Overlock, I asked Jemma to take over yesterday.”
He scanned the room, daring anyone to object.“Jemma and I worked together last year.She’s one of the sharpest minds I’ve ever seen in business.If anyone disagrees with my decision, you’re free to tender your resignation.But no one will question her authority.Not in this room.Not in this company.”
Silence fell.Thick and heavy.
Saif watched the room carefully.Four faces stood out to him—resentful, defiant.Jemma caught them too; he saw the same flicker of recognition in her eyes.
“Moving forward,” Jemma said, seizing the moment, “we’re shifting priorities.We’ll complete all outstanding orders, but the new focus is innovation.”
She turned to the design team.“I want concepts that walk the line between timeless and bold.Classy with an edge.”
The three designers perked up, already mentally sketching.
Then she turned to the marketing team.“I need fresh ideas.Attention-grabbing strategies.We’re not promoting retail stores anymore.We’re promotingourbrand.Our designs.”
Her voice strengthened with purpose.“Think social media.Think viral.Obvious, subtle, subconscious—doesn’t matter.If it works, I want to see it.”
“We’re in,” one of the women said, flashing a grin at her team.
“Accounting,” Jemma called out.
Four staff members looked up.Two of them were doodling in their notebooks, visibly disengaged.
“I need detailed financial reports.The data submitted to Mark over the past three years is incomplete.I want full breakdowns—expenses, revenue projections, vendor costs.Everything.”
Two of them nodded.The other two scowled.
“We’re on it,” one muttered, clearly displeased.
Saif made a mental note.Those two were already checked out—they’d need to go.
Jemma continued, moving from department to department, laying out expectations, priorities, and timelines.She was clear, decisive, and unwavering.
Human Resources was the only group she skipped—and Saif knew exactly why.Joanie, the head of HR, sat stiffly, arms folded, lips pressed in a thin line.She was already a problem, and she’d be the first to go.
From the back of the room, Saif watched it all unfold.
She was brilliant.
And sexy as hell.
.
Chapter 15
Jemma watched as the groups filed out of the conference room.Some were excited—promising.Others were clearly offended.Trouble ahead.Especially HR.
