Chapter Three

By noon, Cassia had convinced herself the morning had been a nightmare.

Surely the CEO had already forgotten about the woman who had straightened his tie in the elevator.

He ran a multibillion-dollar empire.

He wasn't thinking about her.

"...And this is where the Communications team works."

Her department manager, Olivia Grant, led the new hires through an open-concept office lined with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

"Our department handles internal communications, executive speeches, media statements, corporate events, and crisis management."

Cassia smiled.

This was exactly where she wanted to be.

She had graduated at the top of her class in public relations and communications. She loved words, organization, and finding calm in chaos.

"This is your desk."

Olivia gestured toward a workstation near the windows.

"It's temporary until renovations are complete."

"I love it," Cassia said sincerely.

"You'll be assisting several senior specialists until you're ready to manage projects on your own."

"Thank you."

Olivia nodded.

"I've heard wonderful things about your portfolio."

Cassia felt some of the tension leave her shoulders.

Maybe today wasn't doomed after all.

For the next three hours, she immersed herself in work.

She reviewed old press releases, organized upcoming event schedules, and familiarized herself with the company's brand guidelines.

The work came naturally.

By early afternoon, she was beginning to feel like she belonged.

Then her office phone rang.

She answered immediately.

"Cassia Ashwood speaking."

"Miss Ashwood."

The woman's voice was calm and professional.

"This is Evelyn Brooks from Human Resources."

Cassia sat up straighter.

"Yes?"

"The Executive Office has requested your presence."

"My... what?"

"The Executive Office."

"I'm sorry, I think you have the wrong extension."

"I assure you I do not."

Cassia laughed nervously.

"I started four hours ago."

"I am aware."

"There must be another Cassia Ashwood."

"There is not."

Silence.

"The executive elevator will be waiting."

The line disconnected.

Cassia stared at the receiver.

"No..."

Across from her, Olivia looked up.

"Everything okay?"

"I've been summoned."

"By who?"

Cassia swallowed.

"The Executive Office."

Every keyboard in the department seemed to stop clicking.

Olivia's eyebrows rose.

"The CEO?"

"I think so."

A man in the next cubicle looked over the partition.

"What did you do?"

"I..."

Cassia sighed.

"I fixed his tie."

The office fell silent.

"...You what?" someone whispered.

Olivia blinked several times.

"You've certainly had an eventful first day."

"I didn't know who he was!"

Olivia pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Well..."

She stood.

"Let's not keep him waiting."

—

The executive elevator required a gold security badge.

Olivia swiped hers and stepped inside with Cassia.

Neither woman spoke as the elevator climbed past the seventieth floor.

When the doors opened, Cassia forgot how to breathe.

The executive floor looked nothing like the rest of the building.

Dark walnut walls.

Black marble floors.

Modern artwork worth more than most houses.

Everything was quiet.

No phones ringing.

No conversations.

Only the soft footsteps of assistants moving with practiced efficiency.

"This way," Olivia whispered.

They approached a sleek reception desk where an elegant woman in a fitted black suit looked up.

Her silver nameplate read:

Victoria Hayes

Executive Assistant to the CEO

Victoria offered a polite smile.

"Miss Ashwood."

Cassia nodded.

"Mr. Blackwood is expecting you."

Of course he is.

Olivia squeezed Cassia's shoulder.

"I'll wait out here."

Cassia wanted to beg her not to leave.

Instead, she nodded weakly.

Victoria rose and walked toward two massive double doors crafted from dark oak.

She knocked once.

A deep voice answered from inside.

"Come in."

Victoria opened one door.

"Miss Ashwood is here, sir."

"Send her in."

Cassia stepped inside.

The doors closed behind her with a quiet click.

The office was enormous.

One entire wall was glass, revealing the city stretching to the horizon.

A fireplace flickered despite the summer heat outside.

Shelves filled with leather-bound books lined another wall.

Everything was immaculate.

Perfectly arranged.

Perfectly controlled.

Much like its owner.

Harden Blackwood stood near the window, one hand tucked into the pocket of his tailored trousers.

His back was to her.

"You wanted to see me, sir?"

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he slowly turned.

His gray eyes settled on her.

"You were expecting someone else?"

Cassia blinked.

"What?"

"In the elevator."

"You spoke to me."

His voice remained calm.

"You smiled."

"You fixed my tie."

He took a slow step forward.

"But the moment you learned I was your employer..."

Another step.

"...you looked terrified."

Cassia cleared her throat.

"To be fair..."

He waited.

"...most people would be."

A faint smirk tugged at his mouth.

"You have an answer for everything."

"It's a survival mechanism."

For the first time all day, genuine amusement flickered across Harden's face.

It disappeared almost instantly.

"I've read your file."

Cassia stiffened.

"You graduated first in your class."

"Yes, sir."

"You've turned down offers from three competing firms."

"Yes."

"Why Blackwood Enterprises?"

She answered honestly.

"Because everyone said it was impossible to succeed here."

One dark eyebrow lifted.

"And you enjoy impossible things?"

"I enjoy proving people wrong."

Silence settled between them.

Harden studied her with unnerving intensity.

Not in a way that made her uncomfortable.

In a way that made her feel... evaluated.

Measured.

As though he were trying to solve a puzzle.

Finally, he spoke.

"Most employees spend years trying not to be noticed by me."

"I wasn't trying to be noticed."

"I know."

His gaze dropped briefly to the perfectly knotted tie around his neck.

"That's precisely why you were."

Cassia followed his gaze and immediately realized what he meant.

She smiled despite herself.

"I'm glad it stayed straight."

"It has."

Another long silence.

Then Harden walked behind his desk and picked up a black folder.

"Your department is preparing next month's charity gala."

"Yes, sir."

"I'll be giving the keynote speech."

He slid the folder across the desk.

"I want you to draft the opening remarks."

Cassia's eyes widened.

"Me?"

"You."

"But... I just started."

"So you keep reminding everyone."

"I have no experience with executive speeches."

"You have talent."

She stared at him.

"You've never read my work."

"I have."

He tapped the folder.

"Your hiring portfolio."

She hadn't realized he'd seen it personally.

"I don't hire people," Harden said quietly. "I hire potential."

He met her gaze.

"Don't disappoint me, Miss Ashwood."

Cassia swallowed the nervous lump in her throat and reached for the folder.

"I won't."

As she turned to leave, his voice stopped her.

"And Miss Ashwood?"

She looked back.

"Yes, sir?"

A ghost of that dangerous smile returned.

"If you ever feel compelled to adjust my tie again..."

He straightened his cuff.

"...close my office door first."

Cassia's cheeks burned crimson.

Before she could think of a response, Harden returned his attention to the papers on his desk as though he'd said nothing unusual.

Completely flustered, Cassia hurried out of the office.

The heavy doors closed behind her.

Victoria looked up from her desk, trying to hide a curious smile.

"How did it go?"

Cassia pressed a hand against her racing heart.

"I..."

She glanced back at the closed office.

"...I think my life just became a lot more complicated."

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