Alex leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking softly under his weight. The skyline beyond his office windows blurred into shifting blocks of steel and glass, dusk staining everything in burnished gold. His temples throbbed—not just from the meeting, but from the unexpected storm Sophie Carter had stirred up in the space of a few minutes.
The confrontation replayed itself in fragments: her voice rising, eyes flashing with a stubborn, reckless honesty that had caught him entirely off guard. The memory tugged at him, unsettling and oddly… energizing.
God, she actually dared.
Most new assistants either broke within days or slipped into docile compliance, terrified to challenge him. But Sophie had matched his temper, word for word, without blinking. It was maddening—and yet, there was something oddly reassuring in it.
At least she won't fold under pressure, he thought, exhaling a slow breath. But hell… what if she keeps matching me every damn time?
Exhaustion crept in then, heavier than expected, tightening across his shoulders. The long hours, the endless strategizing, the delicate balancing act of keeping Wolf Industries ahead of its rivals—all of it felt suddenly sharper, as though the adrenaline had burned off, leaving only fatigue.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. The door opened just enough for Claire Evans to step inside, her sharp silhouette outlined against the polished glass. She carried herself with her usual composed confidence, but there was a faint softness in her gaze tonight.
"She signed," Claire said simply.
Alex raised an eyebrow. "No second thoughts?"
"None," Claire replied, lips curving just slightly. "She didn't even hesitate once the decision was made. You were right about her."
He huffed a tired laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Let's hope I stay right. The last thing I need is someone else walking out after two weeks because they realize what this job actually means."
Claire tilted her head, regarding him steadily. "She won't. She's young, yes—but stubborn. And stubbornness can be more useful than experience, if it's aimed in the right direction."
Alex's gaze shifted to the skyline again, his expression tightening. "I just don't need someone too stubborn, Claire. If she starts arguing over every decision…"
"She won't," Claire interrupted, surprising him. "Or rather—she might argue, but only when it matters. You could do worse, Alex. Far worse."
He let out a low breath, the tension easing just enough to notice how bone-deep the fatigue had settled. "Maybe," he conceded, voice rougher than intended. "God knows I don't have the energy to break in another assistant right now."
Claire's expression softened, the faint amusement fading to something closer to concern. "Which brings me to my next point," she said, stepping closer. "Go home. Just for tonight. You're running on fumes and you know it."
He opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off with a look only years of working together could give. "The world won't fall apart in twelve hours," she added, her voice gentler. "You need to rest Alex."
Alex's jaw tightened, instinctive refusal caught behind his teeth. But in the quiet that followed, he realized just how heavy his limbs felt, how sharp the ache at the base of his skull had grown.
"Maybe you're right," he admitted quietly. "But if anything comes up—"
"I'll call you," Claire finished, half a smile flickering at the corner of her mouth. "Go home, Alex."
For a moment, the office felt strangely still, the tension that had wrapped itself around him slowly loosening. Alex nodded, gathering the scattered papers on his desk into a neat pile.
"Let's hope," he murmured under his breath, "that the new girl doesn't prove me wrong by morning."
Claire only smiled faintly, watching him with something like guarded relief before she left the room.
As Alex finally stood, stretching the stiffness from his back, he cast one last look at the copy of Sophie's signed contract on the corner of his desk.
God help me, he thought wryly. She might just be the fight this place needs—or the chaos that finishes me off.
Either way, the game had changed. And he wasn't quite sure if that terrified him… or thrilled him.
Sophie stepped out of the taxi and into the cooler evening air, the city's hum softening around her into something almost comforting. The day had stretched far longer than she'd imagined—beginning with an interview she'd barely dared to hope for and ending with a signed contract she still wasn't sure she fully understood.
She tightened her coat around her shoulders, the city lights catching the faint sheen of exhaustion on her face. As she neared the stoop of her modest apartment building, she paused, blinking in surprise.
Vivian was there.
Her best friend sat on the top step, a brown takeout bag balanced beside her and two paper cups in hand, steam curling lazily into the night air. Her dark curls framed her round face, and her grin spread wide and knowing the moment she caught sight of Sophie.
"Well, well, if it isn't the new corporate shark," Vivian teased, pushing herself to her feet. "Don't just stand there. Come tell me everything."
Sophie felt the tension of the day ease just slightly, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Viv, what are you doing here? It's late."
Vivian rolled her eyes, pressing one of the cups into Sophie's chilled hands. "You didn't answer any of my messages, and I know how you get when you're nervous. Plus," she added, raising an eyebrow, "I had a feeling tonight would be... eventful."
They climbed the stairs together, and Sophie unlocked the door to her small but cozy apartment. Once inside, she dropped her bag by the coat rack, her movements a mix of exhaustion and restless energy.
Vivian followed, setting the takeout on the coffee table and perching on the arm of the worn sofa. "So?" she prompted. "Spill."
Sophie hesitated, the memory of the argument with Alex still sharp, and even more so, the dangerous secret she'd stumbled upon. "It was... intense," she started slowly. "I met him. Alex Wolf."
Vivian's eyes widened. "The Alex Wolf? CEO of Wolf Industries? And?"
"And he's... intimidating," Sophie admitted, lowering herself onto the sofa. "But it wasn't just that. Viv, I overheard something I shouldn't have. Something big. And when I told him, it turned into this argument—he was furious. And I was furious back."
Vivian's brows shot up. "You? You yelled at Alex Wolf?"
"I didn't mean to!" Sophie protested, though her voice softened into a reluctant laugh. "It just... happened. And he actually listened. Then the head of HR—Claire—she showed up right after and handed me a contract to sign on the spot."
Vivian leaned back, studying her. "So you're in? Officially?"
Sophie nodded, still half in disbelief. "I signed. And Claire gave me a phone number, told me to answer anytime, even in the middle of the night. It feels surreal."
Vivian watched her silently for a moment, then grinned. "You know what this means, right? You made an impression. You're not just another assistant they forget in two weeks."
Sophie's smile faltered. "That's what I'm afraid of, Viv. What if I can't handle it? What if I'm in over my head?"
Vivian nudged her gently with her elbow. "Then you'll do what you always do: figure it out, and surprise everyone—including yourself."
The warmth in her friend's voice melted a little of Sophie's fear. She reached for the takeout, letting the aroma of sesame chicken and noodles wrap around her like a familiar blanket.
They ate quietly for a while, the city beyond her window glittering with its endless pulse of lights and secrets. Sophie still felt the weight of the day pressing at the edges of her thoughts—but with Vivian beside her, it didn't feel quite as heavy.
As the night stretched on, Sophie realized one thing with clarity: tomorrow, everything would change. She'd stepped into a world that could chew her up and spit her out. But somehow, the idea of fighting to hold her ground didn't feel as frightening as it had that morning.
And maybe—just maybe—she was ready for it.