The week after Ava's discovery of the surveillance files passed in a tense, uncomfortable dance between her and Lucien.
She performed her duties with mechanical precision.
She spoke only when spoken to.
She avoided his penetrating gaze whenever possible.
He, in turn, watched her with the patient intensity of a predator.
Waiting.
Waiting for his prey to accept the inevitable.
Neither of them mentioned the archive room.
But the knowledge hung between them like a sword suspended by a thread.
Ava felt it in the way he stood closer to her during meetings.
In the way his fingers brushed hers when handing her documents.
In the way his dark eyes tracked her every movement.
She thought about quitting a hundred times.
Each time she reached for her resignation letter, her mind went to her mother's medical bills.
To the specialized treatment finally giving her hope.
Lucien had been right about one thing.
She was trapped—by her circumstances, by his calculated generosity.
On Friday afternoon, she was reviewing the agenda for his board meeting when Victoria appeared.
Her practiced smile was firmly in place.
"Miss Lane, we have visitors in Conference Room A. Mr. Drake would like you to bring the Patterson Industries proposal and sit in on the meeting."
Ava nodded, grateful for something to do.
Sitting in on meetings had become part of her expanded duties.
Though she suspected it had more to do with Lucien's need to keep her close than business necessity.
Conference Room A was impressive—floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Central Park, walls lined with original artwork worth more than most houses.
Lucien sat at the head of the polished mahogany table.
Neutral.
Alert.
Across from him was a man she didn't recognize.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
Sandy-brown hair.
An easy smile that instantly put her at ease.
He was younger than Lucien, maybe early thirties.
Confident, but not predatory.
Charismatic in a way that felt genuine.
"Ah, perfect timing," Lucien said as she entered.
His tone was controlled.
"Ava, I'd like you to meet Alexander Vance, CEO of Vance Technologies. Alexander, this is my executive assistant, Ava Lane."
Alexander rose at once, extending his hand.
His smile was warm, his green eyes kind.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lane."
His handshake was firm but not crushing.
Professional, yet warmer than most corporate greetings.
Something about him felt genuinely friendly.
Ava found herself smiling back—the first real smile she'd managed in days.
"Likewise, Mr. Vance."
"Please, call me Alex. Anyone who keeps Lucien Drake organized deserves to be treated as an equal, not subordinated by formality."
The remark was teasing, but Ava caught the subtle dig at Lucien's controlling nature.
She glanced at her boss.
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
"Alex was just telling me about his company's latest acquisition," Lucien said smoothly, gesturing for her to take her usual seat.
"Apparently, they've been quite successful in the emerging markets sector."
"Successful enough to catch Drake Enterprises' attention," Alex replied, his smile easy.
"Though I must say, Lucien, your reputation for thorough research precedes you. I'm curious what your team discovered about our little operation."
The word thorough lingered.
Ava's cheeks warmed.
She remembered just how thorough Lucien's research methods could be.
She bent her head, opening her notebook, trying to block out the subtle battle already unfolding.
"We've found your company quite… intriguing," Lucien said carefully.
"Your growth trajectory is impressive, though some of your methods are perhaps more aggressive than we typically prefer."
"Aggressive?" Alex laughed.
It was genuine, not defensive.
"Coming from you, that's quite the compliment. But I prefer innovative. Sometimes you have to take risks others won't."
The conversation flowed in corporate diplomacy.
Polite words laced with barbs.
Compliments that doubled as threats.
Negotiations disguised as friendly discussion.
Ava studied Alex as he spoke.
Unlike Lucien, who wielded intimidation, Alex's confidence came from competence—and charisma.
He spoke with passion about democratizing technology.
About opportunities for underserved communities.
About business as a force for change.
It was refreshing.
No talk of profit margins or market dominance.
For once, Ava found herself nodding along—until she caught Lucien's sharp gaze.
"I have to say," Alex continued, "your assistant has a better grasp of these concepts than most executives I meet. Miss Lane, what do you think about the ethical implications of tech companies hoarding resources in emerging markets?"
The question startled her.
No associate had ever asked for her opinion.
"I…" She glanced at Lucien.
"Please," Alex urged, leaning forward with interest. "I'd value your perspective."
"Well," Ava said carefully, "there's a difference between healthy competition and creating barriers for smaller companies. If larger corporations block innovation instead of encouraging it, everyone suffers in the long run."
Alex's smile widened.
"Exactly. Sustainable practices benefit everyone, not just the companies at the top."
"An idealistic view," Lucien cut in, his voice carrying a warning Ava knew well.
"Perhaps naive about the realities of competitive business."
"Maybe," Alex conceded easily.
"But I'd rather be naive and successful than cynical and stagnant. Don't you agree, Miss Lane?"
Again, he drew her in.
Flattering.
Dangerous.
She could feel Lucien's displeasure radiating like heat.
"I think both approaches have merit," she said diplomatically, trying to balance on the knife's edge.
"Diplomatic," Alex said with approval.
"And wiser than either of us. No wonder Lucien keeps you so close."
The implication made her cheeks burn.
Lucien's expression darkened.
Ava ducked her head, busying herself with her notes.
The meeting wrapped an hour later with polite promises of "exploring synergies" and "continuing conversations."
Everyone knew the code.
It meant: we'll be watching each other carefully.
As they stood to leave, Alex approached her.
"Miss Lane, it's been a genuine pleasure."
He slipped a silver-lettered business card into her hand.
"If you ever want to work for a company that values innovation over intimidation, I'd love to hear from you."
His fingers brushed hers briefly.
Gentle.
Deliberate.
Her heart skipped.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Lucien's presence behind her felt like a storm cloud ready to break.
"The pleasure was mine," Alex said softly, holding her gaze a fraction too long.
"I hope we continue our conversation soon."
He shook Lucien's hand again—formal, but challenging—then left with the same effortless confidence.
Silence followed.
Ava stayed frozen, the card burning in her palm.
Lucien's anger filled the room like electricity.
Finally, he moved.
Measured footsteps.
Deliberate.
He stopped in front of her chair.
His eyes blazed—controlled fury.
He extended his hand, palm up.
"Mr. Drake?" she asked, though she knew.
"The card, Ava."
His voice was calm, but the steel beneath it was unmistakable.
She thought about refusing.
But the warning in his eyes froze her.
Reluctantly, she placed the card in his hand.
He looked down at it.
Read the script, the logo, the number.
Then tore it in half.
And again.
And again—until nothing remained but confetti on the table.
"You have no use for that," he said quietly.
The message was clear.
She belonged to him.
Any alternative would be destroyed.
But Ava stared at the scattered scraps.
She remembered Alex's warm smile.
His genuine interest.
The way he'd treated her like a person, not a possession.
For the first time since the surveillance photos, she wondered—what would it be like to work for someone who saw her potential, not her vulnerabilities?
Someone who offered opportunities instead of cages?
The thought was dangerous.
Rebellious.
Intoxicating.
And from the way Lucien watched her, she knew he could read every traitorous thought on her face.