After enduring a couple of weeks recuperating from his latest injury, James was finally back on his feet, feeling stronger and healthier than ever. The physical therapy had worked wonders, and he was eager to return to his routine. During his time away from the office, Alexandra had been an incredible support. She took the reins of the company with remarkable skill and dedication, ensuring that everything ran smoothly in his absence. 

James admired her approach to leadership; her decisions were thoughtful, and her ability to connect with the team was impressive. As he observed how seamlessly she handled challenges, he began to contemplate the idea of elevating her role within the company. Rather than simply keeping his home organized and assisting him on a personal level, he thought about offering her a position as a key team member in the business. 

He felt a strong sense of trust in her capabilities and judgment, knowing that she could contribute significantly to the company's growth and success. The more he considered it, the more he realized that this could be a mutually beneficial opportunity—providing Alexandra the chance to advance her career while allowing him to lean on someone he genuinely respected and valued. 

That morning, as the sun began to peek through the curtains, James was preparing himself for another busy day at the office. He meticulously buttoned his crisp white shirt, glancing at the clock to ensure he was on schedule. After grooming himself, he made his way to the dining hall, where the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air. 

As he entered, he noticed Gale had already set up the breakfast spread—golden pancakes stacked neatly on a plate, crispy bacon sizzling on the side, and a bowl of seasonal fruit glistening in the soft light. Taking a seat at the polished wooden table, he picked up his steaming cup of coffee and savored the rich, dark flavor. With a quick swipe on his phone, he checked his schedule for the day, sent over by Shay the previous night. A sense of urgency washed over him; he had several meetings lined up and a growing list of clients to reconnect with, each needing his attention.

While he was lost in thought, the door creaked open, and he glanced up to see Alexandra entering the room, her expression a mix of determination and trepidation. 

"Alexandra... Can I talk with you for a second?" he called out, his voice firm yet inviting. She halted, her eyes widening slightly as she turned to face him.

"Good morning, Mr. Collins. Yes, of course," she replied, her tone betraying a hint of anxiety. She approached him slowly, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. 

"Sit down," he instructed, gesturing to the chair opposite him. She nodded, easing herself into the seat while trying to mask her unease.

"What is it, Mr. Collins? Are you well? Do you need any help with the documentation again?" Alexandra asked, her voice barely above a whisper. James found a flicker of amusement in her anxious demeanor, but he maintained his serious facade, keeping his features composed.

"Relax, Alexandra. Loosen up a bit," he said with a smirk, attempting to lighten the atmosphere. "I have an offer for you, but first, I need to be frank. I think that you are not fit to work here as a maid." He paused, gauging her reaction, but before he could continue, she interjected, her eyes wide with panic.

"Please... Please... Don't fire me! Did I break any rules again? Just punish me with any chores that you want me to do, but please, don't let me go," she pleaded desperately, her voice trembling. 

James raised his hand, signaling her to calm down. "Just let me finish," he said, his tone softening slightly as he prepared to explain himself. 

James inhaled deeply, feeling a mixture of relief and determination. He fixed his gaze on Alexandra, ensuring she understood the gravity of his words. "Listen to me first, Alexandra. Please, just let me finish before jumping to conclusions. It would be utterly foolish of me to let you go. You are an exceptional worker, and I genuinely appreciate all the support you've provided during my illness. Your dedication has not gone unnoticed."

He paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to settle in. "Earlier, I mentioned that I have a proposal for you. This means you are not being fired. In fact, I'm offering you a promotion to a more significant role within the company."

Alexandra blinked, her earlier anxiety beginning to fade. A sense of embarrassment washed over her as she reflected on how quickly she had reacted earlier. "I've observed how skillfully you manage the company accounts," James continued, his tone earnest. "While Mr. Johnson has done an admirable job as our accountant, he is nearing retirement age, and we need to prepare for that transition. I believe you have the potential to take on that responsibility."

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes locked onto hers, assessing her reaction. "So, if you're interested, I would like to offer you the position of the new accountant for the Accountancy Department. It's a crucial role, and I have every confidence that you would excel at it. What do you say?" James asked, his expression hopeful and encouraging, as he awaited her decision.

Alexandra stood in disbelief as she processed the incredible offer that had just been presented to her. This was the moment she had been anticipating for so long—a chance to secure a real job that aligned with the certification she had worked diligently to earn. For months, she had been on an arduous job hunt since graduating, tirelessly submitting applications and attending interviews, only to be met with silence. It felt like a weight had finally been lifted off her shoulders as she contemplated that perhaps God had finally answered her fervent prayers.

"Yes, Mr. Collins! Yes!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. The excitement bubbling within her felt almost overwhelming. "This is such a remarkable opportunity for me. I can't thank you enough for offering me this position and placing your trust in my abilities." In that moment of sheer joy, she felt a strong desire to express her gratitude with a warm hug but quickly realized that it might not be the most appropriate gesture.

James nodded with a pleased expression. "Okay, great. I'm glad to hear that. Please come to the office tomorrow. We'll discuss your salary and go over the various benefits that come with your role in our company," he replied, his tone professional yet friendly. Alexandra nodded eagerly, her heart racing at the thought of stepping into her new workplace.

"Absolutely, Mr. Collins. Thank you again for this amazing opportunity," she said, unable to hold back her radiant smile. Her excitement radiated through every fiber of her being as she envisioned the new chapter in her life that was about to unfold. 

Alexandra shifted her weight nervously, glancing around the room filled with celebratory energy, but her mind was elsewhere. She was eager to excuse herself from the gathering; she had exciting news to share with her aunt and couldn't wait to tell her. Just as she began to make her way to the door, James called out to her, breaking her train of thought.

"Before you head off, do you have proper office attire for your first day at work tomorrow?" he inquired, a hint of concern in his voice. Alexandra paused, a sheepish grin spreading across her face as she shook her head, her long hair brushing her shoulders.

"I left my work clothes back in my hometown," she admitted. "It's quite a distance for me to travel just to pick them up. So, I guess I'll have to go out and buy some new ones." She felt a twinge of anxiety at the thought of shopping for office attire, unsure of what to choose.

James nodded thoughtfully, exhaling softly as he considered her situation. "Not a problem," he said firmly, his demeanor shifting to one of determination. "I'll transfer an amount of money into your account. You can ask Will to drive you to the mall for your shopping." His voice was steady, and reassuring, but Alexandra was taken aback by his generosity.

"Mr. Collins, you don't need to do that," she replied, her voice laced with a mix of gratitude and humility. "I have enough saved up to buy my clothes. You've already been incredibly generous by offering me this job. I'm truly thankful for that." Her heart swelled with appreciation for his kindness.

James rose from his seat with a confident stance, his expression warm yet resolute. "I'm not taking no for an answer, Alexandra. Just accept it. You deserve to feel confident and prepared for your new role. If you want to bring Gale along for the shopping trip, you're welcome to do that too." He flashed a reassuring smile, one that made her feel at ease despite her reservations. 

Alexandra felt a rush of gratitude wash over her as she nodded in agreement. "Thank you so much, Mr. Collins. Really, I appreciate it," she said, her heart lighter now that she had permission to embrace this unexpected kindness. With renewed excitement, she turned to leave, looking forward to sharing her good news and preparing for her first day at work.

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As James arrived at the office, he paused for a moment, taking in the familiar surroundings—the polished wooden desk, the framed certificates on the wall, and the soft glow of the desk lamp. He settled into his ergonomic chair and powered on his laptop, watching the screen come to life. Glancing at his watch, he let out a soft breath, feeling a mix of anticipation and determination for the day ahead.

He reached for the intercom button and requested, "Shay, could you come in, please?" Moments later, a gentle knock echoed from the door. James, already expecting it to be Shay, called out, "Come in."

Shay entered with her usual bright demeanor, her notepad in hand, ready to take notes. "Yes, Mr. Collins? Do you need me to do anything?" she asked, her tone professional yet warm.

"Actually, yes. I'd like to discuss a few things with you," James replied, gesturing for her to take a seat across from him. Once she settled in, he leaned forward, his expression serious but encouraging. "Tomorrow, we'll be welcoming Alexandra as our new accountant. She'll be working closely with Mr. Johnson, and I want to ensure she has a smooth transition."

Shay listened intently, jotting down every word. "I need you to prepare a desk for her—nothing too extravagant, just something functional and welcoming. Also, please schedule a meeting with Mr. Johnson, Alexandra, and myself. I want to formally introduce her and let Mr. Johnson know he'll have an assistant moving forward. Alexandra must learn the ropes from him before I assign her any larger tasks."

"Understood, Mr. Collins," Shay replied, nodding confidently as she made diligent notes.

"Is there anything else you need from me?" she asked, ready to wrap up the meeting. 

James thought for a moment before continuing, "Yes, please remind me about the lunch meeting with Mr. Lee—set a reminder for 30 minutes before the meeting. Also, could you bring me the files on the latest production report? I'd like to review them before our discussions later today."

Shay nodded, her pen scribbling down the tasks. "Absolutely, I'll take care of that right away," she said, her expression one of eagerness to assist.

"Thank you, Shay. You may be excused," he concluded, a hint of appreciation in his voice. She stood up, straightening her pencil skirt, and walked out of James's office with a purposeful stride, ready to tackle the tasks at hand.

James leaned back in his chair, a sleek black leather piece that creaked softly under his weight, and slowly turned to gaze out the window of his office. The city sprawled beneath him, a bustling maze of pedestrians and cars, but his mind was far away, tangled in the web of recent events that had unfolded in his life. He had survived a harrowing encounter, a brush with death as he attempted to eliminate the second name on his list. His hand instinctively moved to his abdomen, tracing the raised scar that still throbbed with the memory of that near-fatal encounter. 

As he sank deeper into his thoughts, the world outside faded into a blur, the sounds of the city muffled. Suddenly, he felt a soft, familiar warmth envelop him as arms wrapped around his shoulders. James was jolted back to reality, the breath escaping his lungs in a startled gasp. 

"Lena... What are you doing here?" he managed to ask, his heart racing as he turned to face a vision he had long mourned—the apparition of his sister, Helena, standing before him with a playful smile that lit up her ethereal features.

"I am just missing my sweet big brother," Helena replied, a light chuckle escaping her lips, the sound hauntingly sweet yet laced with sorrow. James couldn't help but smirk at her familiar teasing, the touch of her hand on his shoulder grounding him in the moment. 

"I miss you too, little sister," he said, emotion swelling in his chest as he looked into her eyes, which were filled with a mixture of love and concern. Then, as if the world had shifted, he saw Helena standing directly in front of him, her expression serious as she tilted her head slightly, urging him to listen.

"James... I want you to stop doing this. It is not worth it." Her words hung in the air, heavy with gravity, as he searched her face, hoping to understand the unspoken fear that lay behind her plea.

"No!" He said as he stood up from his seat. "They deserve to die after what they have done to you." He said feeling angry. 

"James... I can't bear the thought of you getting hurt again. You were so close to death last time, and I can't let that happen to you again. I need you to let go of this quest for revenge and start focusing on your own happiness. I love you for the strength and determination you show in trying to make things right, but I love you even more when you prioritize taking care of yourself. You're not just battling demons externally; you're struggling within, and it's clear you need help to heal.

Look at me, James," she said softly, squeezing his hand tightly in hers. "Mom and Dad would be devastated if they knew the lengths you've gone to and what you've put yourself through. Please, I'm begging you to choose to live your life fully. There's so much more waiting for you—find someone to share your life with, build a family, have kids, experience joy. You deserve happiness, and life can still hold so much good for you.

But standing here, tangled in your anger and sorrow, is not the way forward. I see you trying so hard to fight back tears, to suppress the pain you're feeling, and it breaks my heart. Please, let go of this burden and start a new chapter, one where you prioritize your well-being and follow a path toward a brighter future."

"I can't do it. I can't just stand by and let them continue their lives while I'm left here drowning in pain over losing you. Every day feels like a weight pulling me down, and it's unbearable. It's as if I'm isolated in a world that has forgotten me. You're gone, Lena. You took a piece of my heart with you when you left. And it's not just you—I've lost Mom and Dad too! They're gone, and here I am, standing in the ruins of our once-happy family. I feel like I'm the last person on this earth, completely alone. The emptiness is suffocating!" He shouted, his voice filled with a mix of anger and desperation.

"No, James. You are not alone in this." Helena spoke softly, her fingers gently pressing against James's chest as if trying to reach the very core of his pain. "Gale is here for you, and I am right here with you too." Her voice was soothing, a calm balm against his turbulent emotions. "I will live inside your heart forever, and don't forget... Lexie is beautiful. I truly like her." She added with a playful lilt, teasing her brother slightly, hoping to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

James frowned, a deep sigh escaping his lips as he replied, "Alexandra is just my worker. So don't even go there." The weight of his words hung between them, a reminder of his guarded heart.

"Promise me, James," she implored, her gaze earnest and piercing. "Move on from this. You are not a bad person. You are my sweet, kind, loving big brother. I miss the version of you that exuded warmth and joy. Please, give me back my old big brother." She looked at him with her signature puppy eyes, a look that had always been her secret weapon to sway him.

He couldn't help but scoff, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're seriously using that old trick on me now?" His tone was laced with amusement, a brief escape from the heaviness that enveloped them.

"Yes. And what's wrong with that?" Helena asked playfully, her lips curving into a mischievous smile. "Live your life, James. I will always be with you," she said, her voice now tinged with sincerity as she gently wrapped her arms around him. The warmth of her embrace enveloped him, radiating a comforting light through the darkness of his thoughts.

At that moment, James felt the floodgates of his emotions begin to break down. Tears cascaded down his cheeks as he reciprocated her hug, wrapping his arms around his little sister tightly. It was a connection that transcended the sorrow holding him captive, a reminder that love and support still existed, even in the depths of his struggles.

Shay stood hesitantly outside James's office door, file in hand, her mind drifting to the weight of the past few days. She knew he had requested the file earlier, but her concern for his well-being had grown since he had fallen ill. Through the thin wooden door, she could hear James's muffled voice, engaged in what sounded like a conversation. Yet, she was certain no one else had entered the room. Anxiety crept into her thoughts as she recalled the troubled expression on his face just before he had taken a few sick days.

Fearing something deeper was troubling him, Shay raised her hand to knock gently on the door but hesitated when she caught the sound of quiet sobbing coming from within. A pang of worry pierced through her—was James still unwell? Taking a deep breath, she decided to enter after all. With a soft push, she opened the door, bracing herself for whatever might lay beyond.

What greeted her was nothing she had anticipated. James stood in the middle of the room, his posture tense, arms wrapped around thin air as if someone were in his embrace. Her heart sank. The echoes of his quiet sobs filled the space, heavy with unspoken grief. As she stepped inside, calling out, "Mr. Collins? Are you okay?" the air shifted. James's head snapped up, and his eyes widened in surprise at her sudden presence. He looked down at his empty arms, realizing the phantom presence of his little sister, Helena, had vanished again.

"Yeah. I am okay," he replied, though his voice was hoarse, betraying the turmoil beneath his façade. He quickly wiped the remnants of his tears away with the back of his hand, replacing his sorrow with a forced smile as he met Shay's concerned gaze. 

"Mr. Collins, if you're still not feeling well, I can reschedule the meeting you have today," Shay offered gently, her tone laced with empathy. She could see the stress etched on his face and felt a pang of sadness for him. James toyed with the idea for a moment, the notion of postponing work giving him a slight sense of relief.

"Yeah. Okay. Reschedule my meeting for today. Call Mr. Lee and tell him that I am not feeling well," he conceded, nodding slowly. Shay could sense the weight he carried in his words, and she nodded in understanding, determined to help him out in any way.

"Oh, by the way, this is the file you requested earlier," she said softly, placing the document carefully on the table before him. "Can I get you anything, Mr. Collins? Hot tea? Coffee?" she asked, wanting to do something to lighten his burden.

"No. I am fine. Thanks, Shay," he replied, his voice steadier now, but the flicker of sadness still danced in his eyes. Shay took a moment to study him, her heart aching for her boss before she excused herself, leaving him in the quiet solitude of his office to face his inner turmoil. As she closed the door behind her, the weight of the atmosphere lingered, leaving Shay with a deep concern for the man she admired. 

James settled back into the worn leather chair, the familiar creak of the aged material echoing in the quiet room. He pinched the bridge of his nose, the weight of his thoughts pressing heavily against his temples. Ever since the devastating incident that had landed him in the hospital, he had been haunted by the presence of his little sister, Helena. Her ethereal figure had appeared almost immediately after he was discharged, a ghostly reminder of the life they once shared. 

Despite knowing that she was nothing more than a figment of his troubled mind, a mere hallucination brought on by grief, he found solace in her company. The pain of her absence was a deep chasm he didn't know how to navigate, and the visions of her provided a fleeting sense of comfort amidst the chaos swirling in his heart. 

He let out a weary sigh, turning his gaze towards the window. The world outside was cloaked in twilight, shadows stretching across the ground as the sun dipped below the horizon. It felt like a stark reflection of his own internal struggle. 

"I can't stop this revenge, Helena. I can't." The words slipped from his lips, heavy with the weight of his resolve, as if speaking them could somehow strengthen his resolve amidst the turmoil. He exhaled a deep breath, his chest constricting tight with anxiety. A tiredness washed over him, not just from the exhaustion of sleepless nights filled with swirling memories and regrets, but from the relentless battle he waged within himself. 

Even in the shadow of grief, the fire of vengeance burned bright, fueling his every thought and action, and yet he felt the suffocating grip of despair tightening around him, making it harder to breathe.