Dominic Hale didn't believe in love.
He believed in control. Precision. Power.
From the top floor of his glass-walled office overlooking the Thames, Dominic watched the city like it belonged to him. And in many ways—it did.
At twenty-nine, he was already one of London's most influential real estate developers. Cold. Calculated. Untouchable.
"Your 3 PM meeting has arrived," his assistant said through the intercom.
"Send them in."
The door opened.
And for the first time in a long time—Dominic paused.
Ava Carter walked in, clutching a folder to her chest, her eyes scanning the room with quiet determination. She wasn't dressed like the usual polished professionals he dealt with. She looked… real.
And that unsettled him.
"Mr. Hale," she said, her voice steady. "Thank you for seeing me."
He leaned back in his chair, studying her.
"You have five minutes."
She nodded.
"I'm proposing a redevelopment plan for low-income housing in East London—"
"Rejected," he cut in instantly.
Her eyes widened. "You haven't even—"
"I don't invest in projects that don't guarantee returns."
Silence filled the room.
Then, unexpectedly, Ava stepped closer.
"What if I could prove it would?"
Dominic's gaze sharpened.
"No one talks to me like that," he said quietly.
Ava didn't back down.
"Maybe no one's tried hard enough."
For a moment—just a moment—something flickered in his expression.
Interest.