As Gianna began outlining her plan, Alessia found herself studying her closely. There was something eerily familiar about her—the way she carried herself, the way her eyes flicked up from her notes to gauge Alessia’s reaction, even the faint cadence of her voice.
Her features weren’t identical, but there was a resemblance to Pamela that Alessia couldn’t ignore. Where Pamela had been blonde with a softer demeanor, Gianna’s black hair and sharper presence made her seem like Pamela’s more intense counterpart. Alessia pushed the thought aside, chalking it up to her grief and the stress of the situation.
“This is a strong start,” Alessia said after Gianna finished presenting. “I appreciate how thorough you’ve been in such a short amount of time.”
“Thank you,” Gianna replied, her faint smile returning. “Kane Enterprises has a reputation for excellence. I intend to uphold that.”
There it was again—that confidence, that calm control. Alessia felt a flicker of unease but forced herself to focus. “You seem to have adapted quickly to our processes. Have you worked with similar companies before?”
“Not exactly,” Gianna admitted, her tone measured. “But I’ve researched Kane Enterprises extensively over the years. It’s… familiar to me.”
“Familiar?” Alessia asked, narrowing her eyes slightly. “In what way?”
Gianna didn’t miss a beat. “Your financial strategies have been widely studied in the industry. I’ve followed your company’s growth closely. It’s why I applied for this position.”
Alessia nodded slowly, though the answer didn’t fully satisfy her. “I see. Well, your understanding will be an asset. The financial department is in disarray, but I’m confident you can bring stability.”
“I won’t let you down,” Gianna said firmly.
After the meeting, Alessia returned to her office, but she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling about Gianna. It wasn’t just the resemblance to Pamela—it was the way Gianna carried herself, as though she already knew every corner of Kane Enterprises.
Claire walked in a few minutes later, carrying a stack of reports. “How did it go with Gianna?” she asked, setting the papers on Alessia’s desk.
“Good,” Alessia replied, though her tone lacked conviction. “She’s sharp, efficient. Exactly what we need.”
Claire tilted her head. “But?”
Alessia hesitated before leaning back in her chair. “There’s something… familiar about her. I can’t put my finger on it.”
“Well, her résumé is practically perfect,” Claire said. “Maybe that’s what’s throwing you off—she’s too good to be true?”
“Maybe,” Alessia murmured, though deep down she knew it was more than that. “Do me a favor, Claire. Look into her background again. Just double-check everything.”
Claire frowned. “You don’t trust her?”
“It’s not that,” Alessia said quickly. “I just… need to be sure.”
“Got it,” Claire said, nodding. “I’ll let you know what I find.”
The next day, Gianna had already made waves in the financial department. Reports were being submitted on time, the team seemed to have a renewed sense of purpose, and several minor crises had been averted under her direction.
“She’s impressive,” Christian remarked that evening as he and Alessia discussed the day’s progress over dinner. “Sounds like you made the right choice.”
“She is,” Alessia admitted, pushing her salad around with her fork. “But there’s something about her I can’t shake. She reminds me of Pamela.”
Christian’s brow furrowed. “Pamela? How?”
Alessia leaned back, crossing her arms. “Not completely, but there’s a resemblance. It’s not just how she looks—it’s her presence, the way she talks, like she knows this company inside and out.”
Christian tapped his glass thoughtfully. “That’s… strange. But maybe it’s just your mind playing tricks on you. You’ve been under a lot of stress.”
“Maybe,” Alessia said, though her tone was uncertain. “But I’ve asked Claire to look into her background again. I need to be sure.”
Christian nodded. “Smart move. Just be careful. If she’s already making a difference, you don’t want to undermine her for no reason.”
“I know,” Alessia said, sighing. “But if there’s more to her story, I need to find out. For the company’s sake—and Zane’s.”