Substitute Wife For The Blind CEO

Chapter 163: Strategy

The glass walls of Stefan’s office gleamed under the gentle midday light, casting clean reflections across the polished floors. The scent of fresh espresso lingered in the air, courtesy of Oliver’s second cappuccino—something Stefan had long grown used to in their morning meetings.

Oliver sat across from him now, a tablet in hand, scrolling through the final projection slides for that evening’s investor presentation.

"If Mr. Rogers still isn’t convinced after tonight, we may have to restructure the deal completely," Oliver said, his tone sharp but steady. "He’s cautious, and frankly, a little outdated in his thinking."

Stefan rubbed his temples, then leaned back in his chair. "That man hasn’t trusted anyone under sixty since the ’90s."

Oliver chuckled. "And yet we still need him."

"We need his vote," Stefan corrected. "Not his approval."

They both shared a knowing glance, the kind that comes from fighting in the same corporate trenches for years. Stefan couldn’t be more happier, having Oliver in his corner. Perhaps, he should consider making him COO.

Stefan was about to move on to the next point when there was a knock at the door. A rhythmic, confident three-tap knock that didn’t belong to a secretary.

"Come in," Stefan called without looking up since he knew very well who that was.

The door opened, and Ethan stepped in casually, dressed in a sharp slate-gray suit, his hair perfectly styled, a faint hint of cologne drifting in with him. His face carried that familiar blend of arrogance and charm—the very thing that made him simultaneously lovable and infuriating.

Oliver looked up and smiled politely. "Ethan."

"Oliver," Ethan said with a nod, then turned to Stefan. "Didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll wait."

Stefan waved him in. "You’re fine. We’re almost done here."

chairs and lowered himself into it,

send me the finalized version before 3. I’ll go through it again before the

it," Oliver said, standing up and gathering his things. "Good luck

Stefan muttered,

door clicked shut behind Oliver, Stefan turned his attention fully to Ethan, his brow

forearms resting

tonight’s event. Mr. Rogers’ assistant

Stefan nodded. "That’s good."

"I can’t wait to see the look

shift. If anything, it

surprised," he agreed carefully. "That you know. But surprised doesn’t mean pleased. You do realize that,

his brows. "Why

You haven’t called her. Not

rubbing the back of his neck. "I know, I know. But come on, man—it’s part

"Strategy?" Stefan echoed, frowning.

arrived, he’d tried to talk him out of

showed up, after making her

"You’ve said that before but Ethan, this isn’t a movie. Rayna isn’t a plot twist waiting to be wowed. She’s a

said quickly. "But I didn’t know how else to make her see that I’m serious. That I didn’t just say those things in Florittle to make her feel good. I meant every word. And I want

phone," Stefan said plainly. "You should’ve called. Or texted. Or emailed. Anything

winced. "Yeah. That’s

an eyebrow. "You spoke to

I haven’t. But I’m guessing she’d say the