Amelia had barely survived her first week at Kane Industries.
Every task felt like a test.
Every glance from Adrian Kane felt like a silent evaluation.
And today was no different.
She had just finished compiling the marketing campaign report when her office phone rang.
"Mr. Kane would like to see you in his office," the receptionist said.
Her heart skipped.
She grabbed the file and walked toward the top floor, trying to calm the storm inside her chest.
When she stepped into Adrian's office, the city skyline stretched behind him like a kingdom he ruled without mercy.
He didn't look up immediately.
"Close the door, Ms. Turner."
Her fingers tightened around the file, but she obeyed.
Adrian finally raised his eyes to meet hers.
"Sit."
She did.
He flipped through the report in silence. Every second felt like judgment day.
Finally, he closed the file.
"You exceeded my expectations."
Amelia blinked. "I… did?"
"You're either very hardworking," he said slowly, "or very determined to impress me."
Her cheeks warmed. "I'm just doing my job."
A faint smile touched his lips. "Is that all?"
The air between them shifted.
Before she could respond, he stood.
"There's a corporate dinner tonight. Important clients. I need you there."
Her eyes widened. "Me? But I'm just an assistant—"
"You represent my office," he interrupted smoothly. "And I choose who stands beside me."
The words lingered longer than they should have.
That evening, Amelia stood outside a luxury restaurant, staring at her reflection in the glass window. The elegant black dress she had borrowed from a colleague felt too expensive for someone like her.
When Adrian arrived, stepping out of his sleek black car, conversations around them seemed to quiet.
He looked at her.
Really looked at her.
And for a moment, the cold CEO mask slipped.
"You clean up well, Ms. Turner."
Her heart fluttered. "Thank you, Mr. Kane."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Tonight, stay close to me."
Inside the restaurant, whispers followed them.
"Is that the new assistant?"
"She's with Adrian Kane?"
Amelia felt every stare like a spotlight.
Halfway through dinner, one of the female executives leaned toward Adrian.
"I didn't know you had such… interesting company tonight."
The tone wasn't friendly.
Adrian's expression turned icy.
"Ms. Turner is here because I invited her," he said calmly. "Is there a problem?"
Silence.
The woman forced a smile and looked away.
Amelia's pulse raced.
Why was he defending her like that?
Later, as the night ended and they stepped outside, the city lights glowing around them, Adrian turned to her.
"You handled yourself well."
She smiled softly. "I was nervous."
"I noticed."
Her breath caught.
"And yet," he continued, stepping closer, "you didn't falter."
The space between them shrank.
"Mr. Kane…" she whispered.
"Adrian," he corrected quietly.
Before she could process the intimacy of it, headlights flashed across the street.
A woman stepped out of a red sports car.
Tall. Elegant. Confident.
She walked toward them with familiarity in her eyes.
"Adrian," she said smoothly. "You didn't tell me you replaced me so quickly."
Amelia froze.
Replaced?
Adrian's jaw tightened.
And suddenly, Amelia realized—
The night wasn't over.
It was just getting complicated.