The Secrets of the Empire

Chapter 11 : Taking the Reins

After the long morning in the boardroom, where the discussion had drifted into the minutiae of office management, Alexandre felt a growing sense of disillusionment. The weight of his new responsibilities was beginning to settle heavily on his shoulders, and the trivial debates over parking spaces and office renovations only served to heighten his frustration.

To clear his mind, Alexandre decided to step out for a quick, frugal lunch. He walked to a nearby bistro, one of those small Parisian bars that dotted the street corners, where locals gathered for a simple meal or a quick drink. The place was unassuming, with wooden stools lined up against the counter and a menu scrawled in chalk on a blackboard. It was a far cry from the opulence of EGLV's headquarters, but that was exactly what Alexandre needed—a break from the overwhelming expectations.

He ordered a croque-monsieur and a glass of wine, opting for something light and quick. Yet, even as he tried to lose himself in the moment, his mind kept drifting back to the board meeting. The disappointment lingered, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the real challenges of leading EGLV were still to come.

Having finished his lunch, Alexandre made his way back to EGLV's towering office building. The morning's events had been a lesson—one that underscored the need for a strong, reliable team. He had a decision to make, and it was one he couldn't delay any longer.

Once inside, Alexandre took the elevator up to Sophie Laurent's office. The ride was brief, but it gave him just enough time to gather his thoughts. Sophie had proven herself to be incredibly efficient, discreet, and loyal during the difficult days following his father's death. Now, as he prepared to step fully into his new role as CEO, Alexandre knew he needed someone by his side who he could trust implicitly.

The elevator doors opened with a quiet chime, and Alexandre stepped out into the corridor leading to Sophie's office. He knocked lightly on Sophie's door and entered at her invitation.

Sophie was seated at her desk, her focus on the computer screen in front of her. She looked up as he walked in, a look of mild surprise crossing her face before she composed herself.

"Good afternoon, Alexandre," she greeted him, standing up.

"Sophie," Alexandre began, closing the door behind him and taking a seat opposite her. "I wanted to speak with you about something important."

Sophie nodded, her expression attentive. "Of course. What can I do for you?"

He leaned forward slightly, meeting her gaze directly. "As of this morning, I've been officially named CEO of EGLV. It's a responsibility I take very seriously, and I know I'll need a strong team around me to make sure the transition is smooth and that we continue to build on my father's legacy."

She listened carefully, sensing there was more to come.

"I've been incredibly impressed by your professionalism, your discretion, and your dedication to the company. You've been a pillar of support during a very difficult time, and I want to offer you the role of my personal assistant. I'll need someone I can trust implicitly, someone who knows the inner workings of this company as well as you do."

For a moment, Sophie was silent, processing his words. Then a smile broke across her face, a mix of gratitude and determination. "Alexandre, I'm honored. Of course, I accept. I'll do everything I can to support you and ensure EGLV continues to thrive under your leadership."

Alexandre smiled back, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. "Thank you, Sophie. Your support means a lot to me, and I'm confident we'll make a great team."

After discussing the details of her new role, Sophie suggested they move to the CEO's office so he could officially take possession of it. They walked through the corridors of EGLV, their footsteps echoing softly on the polished floors, until they reached the door to the office that had once belonged to Pierre Dubois.

As they entered, Alexandre was immediately struck by the changes. The office, once filled with his father's personal touches and a lifetime of work, was now meticulously organized. The bookshelves were neatly arranged, the desk clear except for a few essential items, and the clutter that had once defined Pierre's workspace was gone. It was still his father's office, but it felt different, more formal, more his own.

Sophie walked over to the large mahogany desk, where a few documents were neatly stacked. "I've taken the liberty of doing some organizing," she said, her tone respectful. "Given the police's request for documents, I thought it was a good opportunity to clear out some of the old files and make room for you. Everything you need is here, but if there's anything missing, just let me know."

Alexandre nodded, taking it all in. He moved to stand behind the desk, running his hand along the smooth wood. "Thank you, Sophie," he said quietly, appreciating the care she had taken.

She smiled, then stepped back towards the door. "I'll inform IT to set up your computer and system access."

As Sophie left the office, Alexandre walked over to the large window that dominated one wall of the room. The view was breathtaking, offering a sweeping panorama of Paris. From this height, the city seemed serene, the chaos of the streets below muted by distance. The Eiffel Tower stood tall in the distance, a symbol of both the city's grandeur and the weight of the legacy he now carried.

For a moment, Alexandre allowed himself to simply stand there, absorbing the view and the reality of his new role. This was his office now, his company to lead, and the city below was both his domain and his challenge. The journey ahead would be difficult, but for the first time that day, he felt a quiet confidence settle in.

Alexandre's thoughts were interrupted by a polite knock at the door, followed by the entrance of Karim Benzekiel, the IT Manager. Karim was a tall, bespectacled man with a friendly demeanor and a clear sense of efficiency in his movements. He carried a sleek laptop under one arm and a smartphone in the other hand.

"Congratulations on your new role, Mr. Dubois," Karim said warmly as he approached the desk. "I've brought you your new laptop and phone, both set up with the latest security protocols."

"Thank you, Karim," Alexandre replied, moving from the window to sit at his desk. Karim placed the devices in front of him and took a seat beside him, ready to guide him through the setup.

Karim opened the laptop, logging in with a few quick keystrokes, and then handed it to Alexandre. "This laptop is configured with all the necessary software and access to your work emails, documents, and the internal EGLV systems. For security reasons, we've restricted access to sensitive data to this device only. The same applies to your phone. Any communication regarding company matters should be conducted through these devices."

As Alexandre navigated the new laptop, Karim continued, "We've also installed encryption software on both devices, so all your communications are secure. If you have any questions or need further assistance, just let me know."

The thought of the espionage issue Monique had mentioned earlier resurfaced in his Alexandre's mind. Turning to Karim, who was preparing to leave, he asked, "Karim, can I access documents from the confidential archive room using these devices?"

Karim paused, his expression becoming serious. "The confidential archive room is where we store the most sensitive documents in the company, Mr. Dubois. Access to these archives is extremely restricted. Only board members can access the room, and even then, they can only do so in person. The archive isn't connected to any network—no internet, no internal servers—to eliminate any risk of data breaches. Everything in that room is kept offline to ensure the highest level of security. Once your badge is ready, you'll have access to the confidential archive room."

Alexandre nodded, understanding the stringent measures in place. "I see. That makes sense. Thank you for the information, Karim."

"Of course," Karim replied with a reassuring smile. "If there's anything else you need, don't hesitate to reach out."

As Karim left the room, Alexandre's mind was already racing with the implications of this security protocol, especially in light of the recent concerns about internal leaks. With a deep breath, he turned back to his desk, ready to face whatever came next.