Adira's POV
For days after Jayden Craig walked into my office, his words haunted me. You're bigger than coffee shops. I can help you get there.
Help.
I hated that word. Help always came with strings.
So when his assistant emailed my office with an invitation to meet at CraigTech headquarters "to discuss synergies" I almost deleted it. But curiosity won.
The building was all glass and steel, sleek and futuristic, like something out of Silicon Valley. As I stepped into the penthouse boardroom, I understood why people whispered his name at the summit.
Jayden was waiting, hands in his pockets, as if the entire empire behind him was nothing more than an accessory.
"Ms. Williams." His smile was disarming. "I wasn't sure you'd come."
"Neither was I," I said, dropping into a chair. "So let's not waste time. Why am I here?"
He sat opposite me, calm as ever. "Because you're at a crossroads. You've built something extraordinary, but growth requires more than vision. It requires infrastructure, technology, strategy. CraigTech can provide that."
I folded my arms. "And what would you want in return? A stake? A seat at my board?"
His gaze didn't waver. "What I want is to see you reach your full potential."
I laughed, sharp and humorless. "Please. Nobody gives without taking."
"Maybe you just haven't met the right people," he said softly.
For a moment, silence. The weight of his stare made my skin prickle.
Then I straightened. "I didn't build this company to hand it over to anyone. I don't need saving, Mr. Craig."
His smile flickered, almost amused. "Who said anything about saving you?" He leaned forward, his voice dropping. "Adira, I'm not offering charity. I'm offering partnership. And whether you accept it or not... I already have a seat at your table."
My breath caught. "What do you mean?"
But before I could press, the door opened, and his assistant entered with documents. Jayden slid them across the table.
"Review them," he said. "You'll understand soon enough."
Jayden's POV
Her pride was a wall strong, unyielding. But she didn't know the truth yet.
She didn't know that years ago, when every investor turned their back, I stepped in under another name. That without me, her second branch would never have opened. That her empire was built not just on her fire, but on my silent faith in her.
I watched her fingers tighten around the folder. She hated mystery. She hated not being in control.
Good.
Because when she finally uncovered the truth, she'd know one thing for certain:
She had never been alone.