Avery didn't expect that the day after the banquet, she would be called up to the executive conference room of Lucien's design department.
The air carried a faint, cold scent. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the forest of skyscrapers in S City shimmered under the sun, the blinds slicing the light into sharp stripes that fell across her body, as if scrutinizing her.
She stood on the other side of the conference table, slim fingers clutching her design drafts, her black hair tied low, her expression focused and controlled.
Across from her, Lucien lightly tapped his jade ring against the table with his long fingers, his eyes calmly fixed on her, each second feeling like a silent interrogation.
"Avery."
His voice was low and cool, like a blade pressing against her chest.
"Was it you who altered the proposal yesterday?"
Avery lifted her gaze, meeting those deep, unreadable eyes.
"Yes."
Her tone was steady, her voice soft but firm.
"I believe parts of the original structural design had unreasonable load-bearing calculations. If we proceed with it, it will increase costs later and pose safety risks."
Lucien raised an eyebrow, a trace of cold amusement flickering in his eyes.
"You're quite bold. You've only been here for a few weeks, and you dare to alter a proposal personally done by the project manager."
Avery's fingers pressed into the edges of the draft, her knuckles turning white, but she didn't back down.
"The project belongs to the company. Designs should serve the project, not someone's pride."
Silence stretched, broken only by the soft tapping of Lucien's jade ring on the table.
After a moment, Lucien looked up, his thin lips parting.
"Well said."
He pushed the drafts toward her, his finger tapping on the highlighted structural changes.
"Explain in detail."
Avery took a deep breath, leaning forward to point out sections on the draft as she explained in a low voice. Her black hair fell over her shoulder, carrying a light scent of shampoo. Lucien glanced sideways at her, his gaze darkening slightly.
This woman, so stubborn it was almost irritating, yet somehow, he couldn't look away.
The glass door to the conference room opened with a light knock. Ethan stepped in, holding two cups of coffee, dressed in a light gray shirt, his gentle smile warm like a spring breeze.
"Brother, have some coffee. Take a break."
He glanced at Avery, smiling warmly.
"Avery, you've worked hard."
His sudden warmth startled her, and she quickly straightened up.
"Thank you, Mr. Ethan."
Lucien's eyes swept over the coffee in Ethan's hand.
"Don't come in unless it's necessary."
"Alright, alright. I'll leave you two to your work." Ethan chuckled, giving Avery a meaningful glance before leaving the room.
Avery lowered her head, gathering her drafts, her heart tightening.
Why was Lucien testing her personally?
She had only just started at the company, yet she was being pulled into high-level meetings and thrown into unknown storms.
But she had no choice—and she didn't want to back down.
Lucien withdrew his gaze, his voice cold.
"I'll give you one day. Redo the detailed proposal."
"Yes." Avery bit her lip and nodded.
When she walked out of the conference room, sweat had soaked her back, and the drafts in her hand were wrinkled from her tight grip.
But she refused to show weakness.
At the corner of the hallway, Ethan leaned against the wall, still holding the untouched coffee.
"Avery."
He called her name, his eyes gentle yet unreadable.
"Don't be too nervous. My brother may seem cold, but… he's not as scary as he looks."
Avery paused, then smiled softly.
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Ethan."
She didn't see the fleeting darkness in Ethan's eyes as he lowered them.
That night, Avery returned to her small apartment. She switched on the light, spread the drafts on her desk, and began revising them line by line deep into the night. The pen scratched against the paper, and the wind howled outside the window, like a warning of the storm to come.
She didn't know that at the same time, Lucien stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows in his office, looking out at the night skyline, his finger tapping lightly against his jade ring, his gaze cold and thoughtful.
"Avery, you want to secure your place at the company?"
"Fine. You'd better be strong enough to handle it."