The spotlight found Desiree as she strode to the front, her entrance met with a wave of applause. I knew her trick; she could charm anyone, a skill honed, no doubt, from her days as a high-end escort. Luring men to bed was one thing, but getting them to part with serious cash? That demanded a certain finesse I couldn't help but respect. A smirk played on my lips as I surveyed the room, the fools gaping at her with undisguised hunger, oblivious to the bomb about to drop. They expected a partnership announcement. Oh, if only I could savor each of their reactions individually. Tonight was going to be glorious.

From my vantage point, I watched her ascend the podium, a laugh bubbling up at the eager faces below. A few "witches" beside me shot disapproving glances, no doubt itching to spread rumors about the "stone bitch" finally losing it. They could only hope.

I shifted, antsy. Desiree, ever the dramatic one, would prolong the suspense with a long speech before the grand finale. Perfect. More time for me to grab a drink and scout my next victim. Our eyes met, and I winked, a silent message passing between us. She gave a subtle nod, and I turned, heading for the bar.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea, and I felt a flicker of Moses's alleged power. On top of the world. They say power corrupts; I say it equips you to crush problems that would make a grown man weep. I revelled in it; nothing else came close.

A quick glance over the ballroom, then I turned my back, ordering a bottle of whiskey. Unconventional for such an event, but who cared?

"You know, women usually go for the sweeter drinks." The deep voice, an unwelcome intrusion. Men, always quick with unasked-for opinions, at least they were consistent.

"Probably because assholes like you order their drinks," I shot back. I loathed being lumped in with others, especially the tired "I'm not like other girls" trope. He laughed, a forced sound meant to mask the sting of my insult.

"I guess I deserved that," he conceded.

"You did," I agreed, "and you should probably apologize for that assholish comment."

"Oh, on the contrary," he countered, "I think it's you who owes me an apology, considering it's rude to talk to someone with your back to them." Right, I hadn't even bothered to face him. I debated whether to entertain the little shit, then realized a face was necessary if I wanted to destroy him later. Slowly, I turned, making it clear I wasn't eager to see him, and then I paused.

Not because he was ugly. Far from it. He was ridiculously handsome: blonde hair, storm cloud gray eyes, and a face carved by a god. This man could pose as the devil, and people would still worship him. And he was taller than me. Huh. Not an everyday occurrence. Too bad he was a prick. I sighed. Why did the handsome ones always come with a catch? If it wasn't a small dick, it was a pungent personality.

His brows rose. "I'm going to take that sigh to mean you have a problem with me?"

"I do. You still haven't apologized," I snarked. He opened his mouth, but Desiree's voice cut him off.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as much as I love a good party, this isn't just an excuse for me to drink champagne and dance." Laughter followed her statement, and I knew my cue was coming.

I turned back to the mystery man. "If you'll excuse me, I have work to do." Without waiting for his reply, I strode toward the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to announce the new president of Wing Enterprises, Miss Mona Terradad." Silence. No applause. The room was in shock, no doubt scrambling to reverse this development. I smiled, surveying the stunned faces. I didn't blame them; when the person holding all your secrets suddenly seized power, things weren't exactly going to be rosy.

I let them stew in their shock for a moment, letting the reality that I could make them my puppets sink in. Whispers started, a ripple growing into a frantic murmur. Good. Let them panic. They wouldn't underestimate me again.

"For those of you who seem a little...surprised," I began, my voice amplified by the microphone, slicing through the rising hum, "Let me assure you, this is no mistake." My gaze swept the room, lingering on a few particularly pale faces, and a few red ones (they didn't matter to me). These were the ones who thought Desiree had me collared, who thought they had me cornered, who underestimated the "stone bitch." Their shock was a delicious appetizer.

"My journey here might not have been conventional," I continued, a deliberate nod to my past. I could already see some making their way toward Desiree, thinking I'd blackmailed her too. "But every experience, every challenge, has prepared me for this role." A small, knowing smile played on my lips. They were definitely going to try and use Desiree against me.

My eyes flicked to the bar, catching the gaze of the handsome stranger. He leaned against the counter, a half-empty glass in hand, his gray eyes fixed on me, his expression unreadable. Interesting. He hadn't joined the chorus of disbelief. Perhaps he wasn't as dense as his opening line suggested.

"Tonight," I announced, my voice ringing with conviction, "marks a new era. An era of innovation, of bold decisions, and of unwavering progress." I let that sink in, watching the seeds of uncertainty and fear take root in their eyes.

"There will be changes," I stated plainly. "Significant changes. Some of you may not like them. Some of you may resist them. But let me be clear: resistance is futile." My gaze swept the room, daring anyone to challenge me. The silence that followed was absolute.

Desiree stepped forward, placing a hand on my arm, her eyes sparkling with pride and a hint of mischief. She turned to the crowd, her expression somber. I smirked inwardly; she was playing the part of the CEO forced out of her position. "And to ensure this new era begins smoothly," she announced, her voice clear and strong, "Mona has already appointed her new advisory council." She gestured to a group of individuals near the stage, their faces set with determination. Loyal allies, carefully chosen.

The shock in the room intensified. Not only was I the new president, but I had already consolidated my power. The old guard was being replaced.

I took a step forward, my eyes blazing with newfound authority. "Tonight, we celebrate a transition. Tomorrow, we begin the real work." I paused, letting my words hang in the air. "Anyone not prepared to embrace this new partnership is welcome to dissolve later in my office. The door, as they say, swings both ways." My eyes must have sparkled; I was brimming with glee. This was going even better than expected.

A few nervous claps broke the silence, but no one moved. They were trapped. They knew what I was capable of. Desiree may have tolerated them, but I was an entirely different beast.

My gaze drifted back to the man at the bar. He raised his glass in a silent toast, a flicker of something unreadable in his stormy gray eyes. This was going to be interesting, especially now that he was my newest target.

"Now," I said, a genuine smile finally gracing my lips, "let's have that drink." The tension hadn't completely dissipated; it had simply shifted, settling into a heavy anticipation. The reign of Mona Terradad had begun.