The Blackwood Enterprises headquarters was exactly what Lila Evans expected.
Cold.
Impressive.
And designed to make visitors feel small.
Floor-to-ceiling glass reflected the morning sun across polished marble floors. Employees moved with quiet efficiency, dressed in tailored perfection that made Lila very aware of her modest navy blazer.
She straightened anyway.
You belong where your work proves you belong.
Still… her stomach did one small, traitorous flip as she approached the reception desk.
"Good morning," the receptionist said with a professional smile. "Name and appointment?"
"Lila Evans. Nine o'clock with Mr. Blackwood."
The receptionist's expression shifted—just slightly.
Recognition.
Interest.
Maybe even a hint of curiosity.
"Of course, Ms. Evans. Mr. Hale will escort you."
Right on cue, a tall man in a charcoal suit approached.
"Ms. Evans?" he asked.
"Yes."
"I'm Marcus Hale. Mr. Blackwood's executive assistant."
Lila nodded.
"Nice to finally meet the man behind the intimidating emails."
Marcus blinked.
Then, unexpectedly, a faint smile tugged at his mouth.
"Oh," he said lightly. "You have no idea."
The Elevator Ride
The private elevator was silent.
Too silent.
Marcus stood beside her with practiced calm, but Lila could feel the subtle shift in attention from the employees they passed.
Word had already spread.
Of course it had.
Woman who argued with Adrian Blackwood at the gala.
Fantastic.
Marcus finally spoke.
"Just a friendly warning, Ms. Evans."
Lila glanced sideways.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Blackwood doesn't schedule second meetings unless something interests him."
Her brows lifted slightly.
"Good to know."
Marcus studied her for a brief moment.
"You're not nervous."
Lila gave a small shrug.
"I save my nerves for things that matter."
The elevator doors slid open.
Marcus's smile turned almost sympathetic.
"Let's see if you still feel that way in five minutes."
Adrian's Office
The doors opened to a space that was somehow even more intimidating than the lobby.
Minimalist.
Sharp.
Powerful.
The entire far wall was glass, overlooking the city like a throne above the world.
And standing in front of it—
Adrian Blackwood.
He didn't turn immediately.
Of course he didn't.
Lila resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
Marcus cleared his throat lightly.
"Sir, Ms. Evans is here."
"Leave us," Adrian said calmly.
Marcus gave Lila one last look—half warning, half curiosity—before exiting.
The door clicked shut behind him.
Silence fell.
Adrian finally turned.
His gaze landed on her instantly.
Direct.
Piercing.
Unsettling.
"You're on time," he said.
Lila set her tablet on the table with deliberate calm.
"I respect my own schedule."
A flicker of something—approval? amusement?—crossed his face.
"Sit."
Not please.
Not would you like to.
Just—
Sit.
Lila slowly lowered herself into the chair across from his desk.
But she didn't relax.
Not even a little.
Adrian watched her carefully.
Most people shifted under his gaze.
Fidgeted.
Over-explained.
She did none of those things.
Instead, she met his eyes head-on.
Annoyingly composed.
Interesting.
"Let's begin," he said.
The Test
The screen behind Adrian lit up suddenly.
Lila's proposal appeared—but heavily marked.
Red annotations.
Highlighted sections.
Critical notes in the margins.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
So that's how he wants to play this.
Adrian leaned back in his chair.
"Your projections assume a six percent growth acceleration in year three."
His tone was calm.
Clinical.
"But market volatility suggests four percent is more realistic."
There it was.
The challenge.
Lila didn't miss a beat.
"Only if you maintain your current acquisition pacing."
Adrian's eyes sharpened.
"Explain."
The next twenty minutes moved like rapid-fire chess.
Point.
Counterpoint.
Data versus data.
Neither of them gave an inch.
Employees passing outside the glass walls slowed subtly.
Because inside Adrian Blackwood's office…
Someone was actually arguing with him.
And holding her ground.
Finally, Adrian steepled his fingers.
"You're very confident in your analysis."
Lila leaned forward slightly.
"I don't present numbers I can't defend."
A long pause followed.
Then—
Adrian stood.
Without warning.
Lila's breath caught for half a second before she forced it steady.
He walked around the desk slowly.
Deliberately.
Until he stopped beside her chair.
Too close.
Again.
His voice dropped slightly.
"Tell me the real reason you're pushing this deal so aggressively, Miss Evans."
Her spine stiffened.
"There is no 'real reason.' It's good business."
Adrian's gaze hardened.
"I don't believe in coincidences."
Their eyes locked.
The air thickened.
For a brief moment…
Lila considered deflecting.
Most people would.
But something stubborn inside her refused.
"We're about to lose two major clients," she said evenly. "If Stratagem doesn't land something big soon…"
She let the sentence hang.
Adrian studied her carefully.
No self-pity.
No dramatics.
Just facts.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
But before he could respond—
A sharp knock hit the door.
Both of them turned.
Marcus stepped in, looking unusually tense.
"Sir… you have an unscheduled visitor."
Adrian's expression cooled instantly.
"I'm busy."
Marcus hesitated.
Then said carefully—
"She insisted."
And right behind him…
A woman stepped into the office.
Elegant.
Poised.
And staring directly at Lila Evans.
Lila felt the temperature in the room drop.
Because the look in the woman's eyes was not curiosity.
It was recognition.
And unmistakable hostility.
Adrian's voice turned dangerously quiet.
"…What are you doing here, Victoria?"