Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    315 Out of My Depth


    315 Out of My Depth (Jayden)


    When I step into Nexus Global''s head office, I''m hit with the sheer magnitude of what this ce represents. It''s nothing like Brennan Industries. Everything here screams perfection and wealth.


    It''s not just a business, it''s a world, and from the moment I walked through those doors, I knew I wasn''t just stepping into an office. This ce could fit three Brennan Industries in it Viktor stays close, guiding me through thebyrinth of ss and steel, the entire ce buzzing with activity. Nexus Global runs like a machine. No time for small talk, no casual greetings. Everyone moves with purpose, their eyes locked on screens or buried in thick files.


    Hugo strides ahead, barely looking back as he leads the way.


    As we step into the massive boardroom, I''m greeted by faces I don''t recognize. And none of them seem particrly excited to meet me. I take a seat at the head of the table, feeling the weight of their judgmental stares. Viktor stands quietly behind me, like a shadow, while Hugo, ever the master of the room, takes his ce beside me.


    "Wee, Mr. Jayden Brennan," Hugo says, his voice formal, but there''s an unmistakable edge of condescension in his tone. "Let me introduce the key members of your team."


    He


    gestures to the woman seated directly across from me. "This is Astrid Koenig, our Head of Operations."


    Astrid stands to greet me with a nod. She''s tall and striking, with a tinum blonde bob that''s sharp enough to cut ss.


    "Mr. Brennan," Astrid says, her tone clipped and efficient. "It''s a pleasure." But there''s no smile, no


    warmth. Just business.


    "Likewise," I reply, trying to match her energy, but I''m already feeling like I''ve walked into something! wasn''t entirely prepared for.


    "And this," Hugo continues, gesturing to the man beside Astrid, is Matteo Ri, our Chief Financial Officer."


    Well, he looks nothing like Lance.


    Matteo leans back in his chair, the epitome of casual confidence. He''s impably dressed in a vy suit. A very expensive suit. His dark hair slicked back in that effortlessly stylish way Italians seem to have a monopoly on. "Mr. Brennan," Matteo says, his Italian ent smoothing out every syble. "I''ve heard a lot about you."


    "Let''s hope it''s the good stuff," I say, trying to inject a bit of humor into the tense atmosphere. But Matteo''s smile doesn''t reach his eyes. Boy, tough crowd.


    Finally, Hugo turns to thest person in the room. "And Sofia Fernandez, head of Public Rtions."


    $15 of Myth


    Ah, Winona''s area of expertise. They should get along well.


    "I''m in the middle of developing a campaign, can we wtop this up, Hugo?" She says in an acid tone.


    Okay, maybe Winona and her won''t get along


    "This is also important, Sofia." Hugo replies and gives her a look like a mother admonishing a naughty child silently.


    Sofia''s dressed in a chic outfit, her posture perfect. Even her long dark hair seems scared to be out of ce.


    "Mr. Brennan," Sofia says, her voice smooth but detached. "It''s important we maintain Nexus Global''s public image. Especially during times of... transition. Do notmunicate with any media channel unless you have cleared it with me." Her tone is professional, but the message is clear: they''re all watching me, and none of them are sure I''m up to the task.


    I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Thank you all for the warm wee," I


    say, sarcastically.


    Astrid exchanges a look with Matteo, and I catch the faintest hint of annoyed amusement in her eyes. Not exactly encouraging


    The meeting kicks off, and it''s like being hit by a freight train.


    Astrid dives right into the logistics and operations of Nexus Global with a speed and precision that leaves me scrambling to keep up. She runs through figures, projections, and timelines, all while barely pausing for breath.


    "We need to focus on the East European markets," Astrid says, her eyes locking onto mine. "There are inefficiencies that need to be addressed immediately."


    "Right," I say, jotting down notes, though I already feel behind.


    Hugo chimes in, smoothly gliding through the conversation, inserting the asional French phrase, probably just to remind me of my supposed ignorance. Il est essentiel de ne rien négliger," he says to Astrid, who nods in agreement. I catch Viktor rolling his eyes subtly behind them.


    I suppress a smile, grateful for Viktor''s silent support. Hugo, oblivious to the exchange, continues his rundown of strategic priorities, his tone cool and dismissive.


    "And what about our public image?" Sofia asks, ncing at me as though I might derail thepany''s reputation single-handedly. "We need to ensure the transition remains smooth, both internally & externally"


    I nod, feeling the


    weight of her words. "Of course. We''ll make sure everything stays ont


    "How with Gus and his current situation?"


    "Look, I''ll work on it." I say but I really have no clue.


    I feel myself sinking deeper and deeper into unfamiliar waters. The sheer scale of this operation is


    315 Out of My Depth


    staggering, and every minute that passes, I realize just how out of my depth I am,


    "Mr. Brennan," Viktor interrupts, his voice cutting through the others'' demands. "Perhaps now is a good time for you to rest. The jetg..."


    Astrid frowns. "Rest? We''ve barely scratched the surface."


    Viktor crosses his arms, his stance firm. "He has children to touch base with."


    "Surely they have a mother, No?"


    I nce at Viktor, grateful for the out. "I do need to rest" I say, standing up and trying to hide my relief


    Astrid narrows her eyes but doesn''t argue. "Fine. But we''ll reconvene soon,"


    "Mr Brennan needs to settle into his new home. I think you''ve all lost the basic courtesy of weing someone new to ourpany and city. Gus would insist on this." "Gus isn''t here," Astrid says.


    ENO


    but we should all adhere to the wishes of our previous owner. Enough for now, Jayden." Hugo says.


    Well, that is a surprise. He''s probably just d to get rid of me at this point.


    Viktor ushers me out of the room before anyone else can protest. As soon as the door closes behind us,! exhale.


    "Thanks for that," I say quietly.


    "Don''t mention it," Viktor says, his expression softening, "I''m here to look after your best interests."


    Unlike the rest of the crowd.


    I nod, already feeling the pressure of Nexus Global bearing down on me.


    I''ll call Winona, check on the kids, and regroup. Because right now, I need to remind myself why I''m doing all of this. To free myself, for them.


    Not for Hugo. Not for Astrid.


    And certainly not for Nexus Global.