The SMILE That BROKE the FROST
The Biggest Mistake
The towering glass building of Ashmere Corporation stood proudly in the heart of the city, a symbol of power, prestige, and perfection.
To outsiders, it was a dream workplace. But for those inside, it was ruled by one man whose name alone commanded respect—and fear.
Dweyn Ashmere.
He was known as the youngest CEO in the industry, a brilliant businessman whose standards were impossibly high.
Under his leadership, the company had become one of the most successful corporations in the country.
Yet behind that success was a reputation that made every employee nervous.
No one wanted to disappoint him.
Standing at the foot of the building, Syryn Viremont gazed up at the gleaming skyscraper with hopeful eyes.
Dressed neatly for her first day, she tightened her grip on her bag and smiled to herself.
"First day..." she whispered. "Don't mess this up, Syryn."
Taking a deep breath, she stepped through the revolving doors.
Inside, the lobby buzzed with activity. Employees hurried from one meeting to another, their footsteps echoing across the polished marble floor.
As Syryn passed by, she caught a few whispered conversations.
"The new hire is here," one employee murmured.
"I hope she doesn't cross paths with the CEO," another replied.
Syryn blinked in confusion.
"Why?" she wondered aloud. "Is he really that scary?"
The employees exchanged nervous glances but said nothing more before quickly walking away.
Curiosity lingered in Syryn's mind as she approached the reception desk.
The receptionist greeted her with a warm, professional smile.
"Welcome to Ashmere Corporation, Ms. Viremont. Please wait here while your department head comes to meet you."
"Thank you!" Syryn replied cheerfully.
She looked around the elegant lobby, admiring the modern architecture, sparkling chandeliers, and impressive artwork displayed along the walls.
Everything about the building reflected luxury and perfection.
Just then, a soft chime echoed through the lobby.
The elevator doors slid open.
A tall man in a perfectly tailored black suit stepped inside.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Every employee nearby straightened their posture and lowered their heads respectfully.
"Good morning, Mr. Ashmere," they greeted in unison.
Syryn quietly watched the scene unfold, puzzled by everyone's reaction.
She glanced at the man, noticing his sharp features, calm expression, and commanding presence.
"Who is he?" she wondered.
Completely unaware...
She had just come face-to-face with the CEO of Ashmere Corporation.
The elevator doors opened with a soft ding.
Syryn stepped inside, still holding her iced coffee as she tried to calm her nerves.
It was her first day at Ashmere Corporation, and everything about the building felt overwhelming—the towering walls, the elegant design, and the employees who walked with confidence.
But the moment another person entered the elevator, the atmosphere changed.
A tall man in a perfectly tailored black suit walked in.
He carried himself with quiet authority. His presence alone made everyone inside the elevator straighten their posture.
"Good morning, Mr. Ashmere," the employees greeted respectfully as they lowered their heads.
Syryn looked around in confusion.
Who is he? Why does everyone look so nervous?
She glanced at the man beside her, completely unaware that she was standing next to the most powerful person in the company—the CEO of Ashmere Corporation.
Dweyn Ashmere.
The elevator began moving upward, and for a few seconds, everything was silent.
Then suddenly—
RUMBLE.
The elevator shook.
Syryn's eyes widened as she lost her balance.
"Whoa!"
She tried to steady herself, but her hand slipped.
The iced coffee she was holding flew into the air.
For a moment, everything seemed to move in slow motion.
Then—
Splash.
The cold drink landed directly on the man's expensive black suit.
The entire elevator froze.
Syryn stared at the stain in horror.
"Oh no..."
Her heart dropped.
She quickly looked up at the man she had accidentally spilled coffee on.
No one spoke.
Not a single person dared to move.
Dweyn slowly looked down at his stained suit. Then, he lifted his eyes toward Syryn.
His expression was cold.
Not angry.
Not surprised.
Just completely unreadable.
Syryn swallowed nervously.
"I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't mean to—"
Before she could finish, his deep voice interrupted her.
"My office."
The words were calm, but they felt like a command.
The elevator doors opened.
Dweyn Ashmere walked out without another word, leaving Syryn standing there in shock.
She had only been at Ashmere Corporation for one day.
And somehow...
She had already managed to make the biggest mistake of her career.
Dweyn Ashmere walked into his office without looking back.
The moment the door closed behind him, the entire room fell into silence.
He removed his coffee-stained suit jacket and placed it on his desk. His eyes remained fixed on the dark stain that ruined the perfectly pressed fabric.
It was a small accident.
But to Dweyn, mistakes were never small.
Especially inside Ashmere Corporation.
The office remained quiet as he stood there, his expression revealing nothing.
Outside the CEO's office, Syryn stood frozen in front of the door.
She took a deep breath.
"Okay, Syryn. Just apologize. You can do this."
She raised her hand and knocked.
Her fingers tightened around each other as she tried to calm her racing heartbeat.
She had faced angry customers before, but this was different.
This was Dweyn Ashmere—the man every employee feared.
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