The Rebirth of My Dead Billionaire Wife

Chapter 254

Avery strode into the sleek glass doors of Kane Enterprises, the rhythm of her heels clicking against the polished marble floor echoing in the grand lobby. It was her first day back at work after her accident, and she was ready to dive into the whirlwind of meetings and catch up on everything she’d missed.

As she stepped into her office, her assistant, Clara, followed closely behind with a tablet in hand.

“Good morning, Ms. Deveraux,” Clara said, smiling warmly. “Glad to see you back. You have a packed schedule today.”

Avery nodded, taking her seat at her desk and glancing at the steaming cup of coffee Clara had set down for her. “Thanks, Clara. What’s first on the agenda?”

“You have a marketing strategy meeting at nine, followed by a financial briefing with the CFO at eleven. After lunch, there’s a development proposal review for the new branch in Chicago,” Clara listed off efficiently.

“Sounds like a full day,” Avery said with a small smile, sipping her coffee. “Let’s get to it.”

The conference room buzzed with activity as Avery entered, her team already settled around the large oval table. The projector displayed slides detailing the latest marketing initiatives, and the head of the department, Mark, stood at the front.

“Good to have you back, Avery,” Mark said, greeting her with a nod.

“Thanks, Mark. Let’s dive in,” she said, taking her seat at the head of the table.

Mark began the presentation, outlining key metrics and upcoming campaigns. Avery listened intently, occasionally interjecting with questions or suggestions.

“I think we should focus more on social media engagement for this quarter,” Avery said, scanning the numbers on the slide. “The data shows our target demographic is highly active there, especially on Instagram and TikTok. Let’s allocate more budget toward influencer partnerships and interactive content.”

“Good point,” Mark said, jotting down notes. “I’ll revise the plan and circle back with you by the end of the week.”

“Perfect,” Avery said, her tone decisive. “Let’s keep the momentum going.”

Later that morning, Avery met with the CFO, Margaret, in her office. The two poured over spreadsheets and discussed projections for the next fiscal year.

“Revenue growth looks steady,” Margaret said, pointing to a chart on the screen. “But we need to address the operational costs in the Chicago expansion. They’re higher than expected.”

Avery frowned, leaning forward. “What’s driving the increase? Materials? Labor?”

“Both,” Margaret admitted. “Inflation is hitting the construction costs hard, and the labor pool in Chicago is more competitive than we anticipated.”

“Let’s consider renegotiating supplier contracts,” Avery suggested. “And we may need to explore bringing in more remote employees to balance labor expenses. Can you run a feasibility analysis on that?”

“Absolutely,” Margaret said, nodding. “I’ll have the report ready by next week.”

“Great,” Avery said, leaning back in her chair. “Let’s stay proactive. This branch is critical to our growth strategy.”

As Avery returned to her office after lunch, her phone buzzed on her desk. She smiled as she saw Ryan’s name flash across the screen.

“Hey,” she answered, leaning back in her chair. “What’s up?”

“Just checking in,” Ryan said, his voice warm. “How’s your first day back?”

“Busy, but manageable,” Avery replied. “What about you?”

“Same old,” Ryan said. Then his tone shifted slightly, a mix of nervousness and excitement. “Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”

Avery raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Go on.”

“I’ve been thinking about the paintings,” Ryan began. “The ones I’ve done of you over the years. They’re special to me, but I think they’re too beautiful to keep hidden away in my house.”

Avery’s heart skipped a beat. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying… what if we shared them?” Ryan said, his voice steady now. “I was talking to a friend who owns a gallery, and they’re interested in doing an exhibition. It would feature my work, but the centerpiece would be the paintings of you.”

Avery was momentarily speechless. The idea of people seeing those deeply personal pieces made her both nervous and excited. “You want to share them publicly?”

“Only if you’re okay with it,” Ryan said quickly. “I wouldn’t do it without your blessing. But, Avery, I think people would love to see the way I see you—strong, beautiful, and inspiring.”

Her chest swelled at his words. After a moment’s thought, she smiled. “Alright, let’s do it. If you think it’s a good idea, I’m in.”

“Really?” Ryan asked, the relief and happiness evident in his voice.

“Really,” Avery said, laughing softly. “I trust you, Ryan. And maybe it’s time I stop hiding, too.”

By the time Avery hung up, her heart was lighter. The thought of the paintings being displayed in a gallery filled her with anticipation and a touch of vulnerability, but Ryan’s confidence gave her courage.

The rest of her afternoon was a blur of meetings and emails, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the upcoming exhibition.

Later that evening, Avery called Janice to share the news.

“He’s putting the paintings in a gallery?” Janice exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. “Aves, that’s huge!”

“I know,” Avery said, smiling. “It feels surreal, but I think it’s the right thing to do. Those paintings tell a story, and maybe it’s time I let people see it.”

“Damn right it is,” Janice said. “You’re going to be the star of the show, mark my words.”