Rebirth of The Crimson Rose

Chapter 2: The Glittering Cage

The sun reflected off the glass façade of Bennett Innovations' headquarters, turning the building into a towering beacon in the heart of the city. Rosalind Bennett stepped out of her car and adjusted the strap of her leather tote, her heels clicking against the pavement as she crossed the entranceway. She took a moment to admire the structure. This was more than just a corporate office—it was her father's legacy, a testament to decades of innovation and hard work.

But as she entered the expansive lobby, its sleek marble floors gleaming under the natural light, she reminded herself why she was here. Today wasn't about admiration—it was about preparation. Her father's sustainability initiative was their ticket to securing Bennett Innovations' future. It was her first step toward fortifying the company against Alexander Carter's looming influence.

The receptionist greeted her with a professional smile, and Rosalind nodded in return, her thoughts already racing ahead.

On the executive floor, Margaret, her father's trusted assistant, stood by the glass-walled boardroom, clipboard in hand. She looked up as Rosalind approached.

"Miss Bennett," Margaret said warmly. "Your father is ready for you."

Rosalind nodded, glancing at the logbook on Margaret's desk—a formality she knew her father valued. Everyone who met with him, no matter how important, signed in first. It was a small but significant part of maintaining order in his tightly run ship.

Inside the boardroom, Richard Bennett sat at the head of the long table, a stack of documents spread out before him. His reading glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, and his focus was so intense that he didn't notice Rosalind enter until she cleared her throat.

"Rose," he said, looking up with a rare smile. "Good morning."

"Morning, Dad," Rosalind replied, taking the seat next to him. "Margaret said you wanted to go over the sustainability initiative."

Richard nodded, pushing a report toward her. "It's ambitious, but it's the future. We've been too reliant on certain partnerships for too long. This will position us as leaders in sustainable innovation."

Rosalind scanned the pages, her green eyes narrowing as she absorbed the details. The proposal was strong, but she could already see the points where the board might push back.

"You've done good work here," she said finally, meeting her father's gaze. "But we'll need to reinforce the financial projections. If we can show the board a clear return on investment, they'll have no reason to resist."

Richard leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "You've got a sharp eye, Rose. That's exactly why I wanted your input. If we present this correctly, it could redefine our position in the market."

Before Rosalind could respond, the door opened abruptly, and Alexander Carter stepped inside without waiting to be announced.

"Good morning, Richard. Rosalind," Alexander said, his tone as smooth as ever.

For a moment, there was stunned silence. Margaret hurried in behind him, her expression flustered. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Bennett," she said quickly. "I tried to stop him, but he insisted—"

"It's fine, Margaret," Richard said, though his tone carried a subtle edge.

Rosalind watched the interaction closely. Her father valued protocol, and Alexander's blatant disregard for it was a calculated move—one designed to assert dominance.

Margaret hesitated before nodding and stepping out, closing the door behind her.

Alexander took a seat across from them, his storm-blue eyes scanning the table before settling on Rosalind. "I thought it would be productive to join the discussion," he said, leaning back in his chair as though he belonged there.