Chapter Two

The conference room on the forty-eighth floor buzzed with quiet conversation as nearly thirty new employees settled into their seats.

Cassia slipped into an empty chair near the back, grateful she had made it just in time. She set her portfolio on the polished table and let out a slow breath.

"So much for making a professional first impression," she muttered.

A woman beside her smiled.

"First day?"

Cassia nodded.

"I'm Mia. Human Resources."

"Cassia. Executive Communications."

"You look nervous."

"I touched a complete stranger in the elevator five minutes ago."

Mia blinked.

"...What?"

Cassia buried her face in her hands.

"It sounds worse than it was."

"I certainly hope so."

"He had a crooked tie."

"...You fixed it?"

Cassia groaned.

"I fixed it."

Mia laughed so hard she had to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye.

"You've got courage."

"No, I have poor impulse control."

Before Mia could reply, the doors opened.

Every conversation stopped.

A sharply dressed woman entered, carrying a tablet against her chest.

She wore a navy skirt suit, her blonde hair pulled into a flawless bun.

"Good morning, everyone. I'm Evelyn Brooks, Director of Human Resources. On behalf of Blackwood Enterprises, I'd like to welcome you."

Cassia sat up straighter.

Evelyn spoke confidently about company values, expectations, and professionalism.

One sentence caught everyone's attention.

"There is one rule every employee quickly learns."

She paused.

"Our CEO expects excellence."

The room grew noticeably quieter.

"He is demanding."

Another pause.

"He is uncompromising."

Someone swallowed loudly.

"And he has zero tolerance for incompetence."

Cassia exchanged a glance with Mia.

"Sounds cheerful," she whispered.

Mia elbowed her.

"Shh."

Evelyn continued as though she hadn't heard.

"If Mr. Blackwood requests something, you deliver it. If he schedules a meeting, you arrive early. If he asks a question, you already know the answer."

Someone near the front raised a hand.

"Does he really fire people on the spot?"

Evelyn didn't smile.

"If they've earned it."

The room fell silent again.

Cassia shifted in her seat.

She had researched Blackwood Enterprises before accepting the job.

Everyone knew Harden Blackwood's name.

Forty-two years old.

Founder and CEO.

One of the youngest self-made billionaires in the country.

Business magazines called him brilliant.

Employees called him terrifying.

Rumors claimed he'd once ended an executive meeting with four words.

"Clear your desks by noon."

No warning.

No second chances.

Just gone.

"Thankfully," Evelyn continued, "most of you won't interact directly with Mr. Blackwood."

Cassia relaxed.

Good.

That suited her perfectly.

She preferred working behind the scenes.

Just then, the conference room doors opened again.

No one announced him.

No one needed to.

Every executive standing near the walls immediately straightened.

The atmosphere changed.

It was subtle...

But unmistakable.

Respect.

Fear.

Power.

Evelyn stepped aside.

"Good morning, sir."

Cassia looked toward the doorway.

Her heart stopped.

No...

No way.

The man from the elevator walked inside.

The same black suit.

The same silver at his temples.

The same perfectly straight tie.

Harden Blackwood.

Her mysterious stranger.

Her new boss.

Every ounce of color drained from her face.

"Oh..."

Mia frowned.

"You okay?"

Cassia whispered without moving her lips.

"I fixed his tie."

"What?"

"I fixed..."

Her voice cracked.

"...the CEO's tie."

Mia stared at her.

"You did what?"

Cassia slowly lowered herself in her chair, wishing the expensive carpet would open and swallow her whole.

At the front of the room, Harden's gray eyes swept over the employees.

Calm.

Unreadable.

Until...

His gaze stopped.

On her.

For one endless second, neither of them looked away.

Recognition flickered in his eyes.

Cassia's stomach twisted into knots.

He remembers.

Of course he remembers.

Why wouldn't he?

She was probably the only employee in company history reckless enough to invade the CEO's personal space before learning his name.

Harden's expression remained unreadable.

Then...

Almost imperceptibly...

The corner of his mouth lifted.

A smile.

Not warm.

Not friendly.

Knowing.

Dangerous.

It vanished as quickly as it appeared.

"Welcome to Blackwood Enterprises," he said, his deep voice carrying effortlessly across the room.

"I don't believe in luck."

He clasped his hands behind his back.

"I believe in discipline."

His eyes drifted back to Cassia.

"And first impressions."

A shiver raced down her spine.

Was that meant for everyone...

Or just for her?

"If you're here to collect a paycheck while doing the bare minimum," Harden continued, "you won't last."

The room was so silent that the hum of the air conditioner sounded deafening.

"I reward loyalty."

His gaze remained fixed on Cassia for a heartbeat longer than necessary.

"But I never forget."

Cassia's pulse pounded in her ears.

She wasn't imagining it.

He was talking to everyone...

Yet somehow, every word felt directed at her.

After a few more remarks, Harden gave a curt nod to Evelyn.

"I expect every one of you to prove why you deserve to be here."

Without another word, he turned and walked toward the exit.

The doors closed behind him.

The room collectively exhaled.

"I think I forgot how to breathe," someone whispered.

Mia slowly turned to Cassia.

"You fixed..."

She pointed toward the door.

"...his tie?"

Cassia nodded miserably.

"And I told him not to mess it up again."

Mia covered her mouth, trying—and failing—not to laugh.

"Oh, Cassia..."

"What?"

"I don't think your first day is going to be normal."

Cassia had the sinking feeling she was absolutely right.

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