Chapter 10 - Rising from the Ashes
Six months passed, and the Ashford empire transformed. Vivien didn’t just repair the damage Alexander had done; she elevated the company to heights her mother had only dreamed of. The Vanguard merger was completed, making Ashford Hospitality the largest luxury hotel group in the world. But more importantly, the culture changed.
The fear-based, toxic masculinity Alexander had bred in the corporate offices was eradicated. Vivien installed childcare for her employees, doubled the wages of the housekeeping staff, and launched a massive initiative funding women-led startups. She took her pain and forged it into armor, then used that armor to shield others.
She also officially dropped the name Ashford-Moretti or whatever hyphenation society expected of her. She was Vivien Ashford. Period.
Her relationship with Julian flourished in the quiet, safe spaces away from the boardroom. He was her equal in every sense of the word. They didn’t play games. They didn’t compete for the spotlight. When Vivien had a difficult day, Julian was there to pour the wine, listen, and offer a razor-sharp legal perspective. When Julian was exhausted from a brutal trial, Vivien was his sanctuary.
One evening, standing on the balcony of her newly renovated penthouse, overlooking the glittering skyline of Manhattan, Julian slipped his arms around her waist from behind.
“The quarterly reports just came in,” he murmured against her neck, pressing a soft kiss to her skin. “Profits are up forty percent. The board wants to build a statue of you in the lobby.”
May you like
Vivien leaned back into his embrace, smiling. “No statues. Just a plaque for my mother.”
“You’ve done her proud, Viv,” Julian said quietly. “You’ve done yourself proud.”
