r the only sound. She was calm now, her breathing slow and steady

ould take the time to understand the inner workings of the company, to learn its secrets and its vulnerabilities. Sebastian may have thought he had the upper

bration breaking her thoughts.

Sebastian and Alexandra, but I believe you're the right person for the job. Take

tly who she needed him to be: He loves her. He trus

ling estate, the night sky illuminated by the distant lights of the city. It was all so close, within her

.

a's words echoed in his mind, biting at him. She thought she could expose

ike her stand in his way. No one

the ga

.

heart steeled for whatever challenges lay ahead. As she made her way to Sabastian's office, her former lover and now her boss, she didn't b

ft no doubt about the nature of their relationship. The sound of Ava's sudden gasp made Sabastian spring apart from t

arcasm and anger. "So this is how you conduct bus

woman. "Leave. Now," he barked. The woman didn't wait for a second or

ven, though he was already trying to regain his composure. "An

. Maybe you should be more concerned about your fiancée, Sabastian. What wou

believe you? You're wasting your time, Ava. Go ahead, tell her. I don't care." His tone shift

oser to his desk, her gaze boring into his. "You think throwing my past in my face is go

y? You forget that this is my company. Don't push your luck,

e system-it was you. I went down for a crime I didn't commit, a crime you orchestrated. But guess what? I'm here now, work

ning nonchalance, but there was a flicker of unease in his eyes. Ava straight

er career-it was about justice, redemption, and taking back control of her life. Sabastian

th life, oblivious to the storm brewing within the walls of the company. She inhaled deeply, steadying the whirlwind of emotions that threaten

en, her brow arching slightly. Mr. George. The name flickered on her phone, his familiar voic

e greeted, her tone

voice came through rich and fami

oing just great," she replied, her voice la

h genuine warmth. "And your day

tween her fingers, her lips curving into a broader smile. "Going smoothly, my dear. No complaints toda

reassuring. "Yes, I've eaten, don't worry about m

Something about his tone, his words, always seemed to brighten her mood.

m. There was a charm to the way he spoke, a gentle sincerity that made her blush despite herself. Min

orge said, his voice a s

d, her tone lingering

ound her faded, leaving her cocooned in the warmth of their conversation. She exhaled slowly, shaking her head a

rp suit and charming smile masked the rot beneath, but Ava saw right through him. As he spoke, detailing the company's next big

pproached her, his tone laced with mock

-lipped smile. "Of c

ms as he studied her. "You know, Ava, you're playing a dangerous game. Whatever grudge you're ho

essed. "Is that your way of t

low. "You've been through enough, haven't yo

nymore. The truth has a way of coming out, no matter how deeply you try to bury it.

recovered. "You're delusional if you think you can to

y. "Every king falls, Sabastian. And you've forgotten

e of adrenaline as she returned to her office. The battle lines were drawn, and she