Alessia arrived at Romano Holdings early that morning, her heels clicking against the marble floor of the lobby. The employees already whispered her name, a mixture of awe and apprehension trailing behind her. She didn't bother to acknowledge it — she had come to observe, learn, and command, not to be admired.
The boardroom smelled of polished wood and ambition. Don Romano's men looked up as she entered, their faces a mix of surprise and respect. Alessia didn't smile. Instead, she took a seat at the head of the table, letting the weight of her presence settle over the room.
"Let's begin," she said, voice calm but firm. "I've reviewed the files, the debts, the contracts. Marco Vitale is leveraging weaknesses you've allowed him to exploit. That ends today."
A murmur ran through the room. Signor Bellini cleared his throat. "Miss Romano, you're young—"
"I'm old enough to see the cracks in our empire and smart enough to fix them," Alessia interrupted, eyes sharp. "I need a full report on every deal involving Marco Vitale by the end of the day. Every loophole, every unpaid debt, every hidden clause. Nothing escapes me."
She moved from desk to desk, inspecting contracts, questioning accountants, and pointing out errors that had gone unnoticed for years. By midday, it was clear: Alessia was not just returning; she was taking control.
Later, in her father's office, Don Romano watched her work, pride and concern battling in his eyes. "You've changed," he said quietly.
Alessia paused, looking up from a folder of contracts. "I didn't leave to change, Father. I left to survive. Now, I'm back to protect what's mine."
He nodded slowly. "And what about Vitale?"
She smiled faintly, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Let him underestimate me. He won't know what hit him until it's too late."
That evening, Alessia stayed late, pouring over financial reports and correspondence. Somewhere deep in the files, she found references to a hidden account, transfers that hinted at Marco Vitale's growing influence and the ways he might be trying to corner the Romano empire.
Her fingers hovered over the folder. For the first time, she felt the full weight of her responsibility—and the thrill of a challenge worthy of her skill.
Alessia Romano wasn't just an heiress. She was a strategist, a force, and soon, she would prove it to everyone — including her family's oldest enemy.