"Same old. Here''s a stack that needs your signature!" Franco announced with a grin as he spread the documents across the desk.


    "And this pile here? That''s the financial reports you need to nce over."


    "Over here, we''ve got thetest changes in upper management. Some top-level shifts across a fewpanies, all summarized for you."


    "And, oh, here''s the rental ie for the year. Domestically, we''ve only collected a hundred million dors. You''ve been way too generous with the rent reductions, so the ie is little. Some you''ve deferred are still pending."


    Franco guided Calliope to the plush office chair, plopping her down before the mountain of paperwork.


    Calliope massaged her temples, feeling overwhelmed. "Franco, aren''t you better at handling this headache-inducing stuff than I am? Haven''t we agreed that you manage all this? Can''t I sign my name and be done with it? You know I''m here for the auction, not to get buried in admin work!"


    "No way!" Franco narrowed his eyes, his voice firm. "I''ve finally got you here, and you think you can escape? You''re finishing this today or you''re not leaving!"


    "Every time with the excuses, making me deal with it. Is this how you want to run a business?" Franco teased. "I might as well run off with all the cash!"


    He looked at her sternly, which could pin someone to the spot. "My dear boss, at least nce over them. And check in on the club too!"


    "Do I need to? I trust youpletely, and all our top managers too! Everyone''s so much more capable than I am! Seriously, Franco, the club''s thriving because of you. I knew saving you that time wasn''t a mistake!"


    "Can I leave now?" Calliope attempted to rise stealthily, but Franco gently pushed her back into the chair.


    He looked at her seriously, "Trust is great, but not everyone deserves it. Remember the traitorst month?"


    "But you caught him without a hitch!" Calliope replied nonchntly. "I''ve said it before. These matters are in your hands!"


    "We can manage, but you''ve got to shoulder your bit too!" Franco insisted, with a touch of gravity in


    his voice. "Start tackling this, or you''re banned from the auction!"


    "Who''s the boss here, anyway?" Calliope tried to muster some authority. "That doesn''t work on me. I''m not scared of you!" Franco retorted with a smirk.


    Calliope sighed, resigned to her fate, and started sifting through the work as Franco had directed.


    Though she was more than capable, the sheer volume was daunting. Ever since her grandfather had passed


    the reins of the family a


    to her,


    wealth had snowballed.


    Calliope had a knack for turning investments into gold. Eventually, she entrusted


    these ventures to a talented team, and business boomed even further.


    Initially, she''d manage things sometimes, but the sprawling ventures became overwhelming. Just looking at the figures made her dizzy.


    For years now, she''d been trying to be more hands-off, but Franco wouldn''t allow it. Every quarter, he''d hunt her down, ensuring she yed a more active role, at least for a few days.


    en