335 Viktor's Loyalty

335 Viktor's Loyalty (Jayden)

I slam the door to my office, the sound echoing louder than I intend. The meeting with Astrid is a complete disaster. She shoots down every suggestion make, like I don't know what I'm talking about.

Hugo just stood there, a silent statue of neutrality. No backup, no support.

I'm losing control of the very company I'm supposed to be running.

"Jayden."

I glance up, and Viktor is standing there.

""Not now, Viktor," I snap, rubbing my temples. "I'm in no mood for advice."

"Too bad." He steps forward, his gaze steady and unflinching. "Why are you letting Astrid dictate to you?"

I blink, caught off guard by the directness of his question. "What are you talking about?"

and Hugo

"You have dignitaries from all over the world showing you respect, Jayden," Viktor continues, his voice low but firm. "People who hold real power. And now, you're letting Astrid and Hugo show you none. Why? His words punch me. I want to argue, but nothing comes out. He's right.

"They've been here longer. They know how things work.

Viktor crosses his arms, his expression hardening. "That's not an excuse. You're in charge. Act like it. If Gus wanted it their way, he would have given the company to them. Take your stand. Unless you don't have one to take..." I narrow my eyes. "Of course I have a stand..."

"Do you?": text © owner.

"Yes!"

"What is it? What future do you see for Nexus Global with you at the helm?"

"You're my bodyguard, what does any of this have to do with you?"

Je with Viktor

Instead of admitting my preferred future is to sell up and go back home, I choose to argue wi instead.

That is a really stupid idea.

He advances into my personal space. "I'm much more than your bodyguard, I'm your one lifeline here. Either you grab on, or you sink and go back where you came from. A failure."

"Going back home would not be a failure to me."

"Bullshit. You go back there, doing the same things you've always done, and getting the same things you always got."

"Astrid and Hugo don't want me here."

335 Wkbar's Lovaly

"So what?" Viktor steps closer, his voice sharp. "You're the owner. Decide where Nexus Global is headed and how you're going to get there. That's the only way you'll see who's really with you and who's against you."

"What if I don't want to be a part of the future here?"

"Then admit it. But life begins where the fear starts. Don't forget that."

"But it's my family. Winona doesn't want this life for me, for us."

"How does she know if she's never had the chance to see what this life could be? Should you decide for

her?"

"She doesn't want me in a corporate life and family taking a backseat."

"Why can't you have both? You're in charge."

I lean back in my chair, letting his words sink in. I don't have an answer for that right now. But he is right. I need to be decisive. To give myself the chance to see what this life can be. To see what I can be. Before I can say anything else, there's a knock at the door, and Astrid strides in without waiting for permission. Viktor steps aside and leaves the room.

*Jayden, we need to revisit the numbers from this morning. You misunderstood-

"It's Mr. Brennan to you. I did not misunderstand anything," I cut her off. "What you misunderstand is I'm not asking you for permission to implement my changes."

Her lips press into a thin line. "I'm just trying to keep Nexus running efficiently. Gus had a way of handling things-

"I'm running this company now, and I'll be making the decisions," I snap. "If you don't like the way I do things then you will need to find yourself another job."

Astrid's eyes flash with irritation, but she doesn't back down. "This is about what's best for Nexus."

"What's best for Nexus is me making decisions without being undermined. How you feel about my decisions is irrelevant."

Astrid's jaw clenches, her eyes steady. For a second, I think she might push back, but then she straightens her shoulders and lets out a sharp breath.

"Fine," she says, her tone clipped. "I'll write up the proposals for the board."

"I need them by the end of the week. I'll be taking time with my family when they arrive."

"Yes. Mr. Brennan." She turns and walks out, the door clicking shut behind her.

I get up to go find Viktor. I have some questions for him. I find him in the coffee room.

"You seem to know a lot about what's going on with me. I'm assuming that's not just by luck."

Viktor shrugs, his professional demeanor back in place "It's my job to know."

"How much do you know?" I ask, crossing my arms.

He meets my gaze without flinching. "I know enough to keep you and your family safe."

335 Viktors Loyalty

But there's more. I can feel it in my gut. Gus did not leave this man with me for nothing. But I can see he's not opening up to me here. "Okay. I think it would be nice to get to know you better sometime." He nods. I'm driving to visit my family tomorrow. You may join me, if you wish."

7 do wish. Thank you."

"I'll pick you up at eight in the morning."

"Perfect. I'll move my meeting until the afternoon."

"This may take the day."

"Fine. I'll work late tonight and finish up what I can." I feel like it's a test to see if I will actually start calling the shots about how I spend my time here. "See you then, Mr. Brennan."