The return to Black Enterprises was anything but quiet. The leaked merger details had thrown the company into chaos, and Vanessa Cole was at the center of it. Executives whispered in corridors, investors demanded answers, and the press circled like vultures.
Amanda felt the tension the moment she stepped through the glass doors. Eyes followed her, sharper than ever, as though she carried the weight of Greyson's decisions on her shoulders. But this time, she wasn't afraid. Greyson's words at the villa echoed in her mind: We face this together.
The confrontation came sooner than expected. Vanessa was waiting in the boardroom, her smile cold, her posture poised like a predator. "Well," she said smoothly, "look who's returned. I hope the little vacation was worth the cost."
Amanda's pulse quickened, but she steadied herself. "It was worth every moment. And unlike you, I don't need to sabotage others to prove my value."
The room fell silent. Executives exchanged glances, surprised by Amanda's boldness. Vanessa's eyes narrowed, her composure cracking. "Careful, Miss Evans. You're playing in a world far bigger than you."
Greyson entered then, his presence commanding. He stood beside Amanda, his gaze locked on Vanessa. "She's not playing. She's standing her ground. Something you should learn to do without deceit."
Vanessa's smile faltered. "You're making a mistake, Greyson. Choosing her over me, over billions—"
Greyson cut her off, his voice sharp. "The only mistake would be allowing someone like you to poison this company. You've shown your true colors, Vanessa. And I don't tolerate betrayal."
The words landed like a verdict. Vanessa's face hardened, but she said nothing more. She gathered her papers, her heels clicking against the marble as she stormed out.
Amanda's breath caught, her heart racing. She had stood up to Vanessa, and Greyson had stood beside her. For the first time, she felt not just like his assistant, but his equal — someone who belonged in his world, not as a shadow, but as a partner.
Greyson turned to her, his voice softer now. "You were fearless."
Amanda met his gaze, her voice steady. "I wasn't fearless. I was terrified. But I wasn't alone."
Greyson's lips curved faintly, his eyes lingering on hers. "And you never will be."
The boardroom, once a place of tension and whispers, now felt transformed. Amanda realized she had crossed another threshold — not just into Greyson's life, but into his battles. And together, they were stronger than either had been alone.