Three years ago, Hazel Vance made a choice that changed everything. One night of passion with a mysterious stranger at a masquerade ball left her with more than just memories—it left her with a son whose rare violet-blue eyes are a constant reminder of the father she'll never find.

Now a struggling single mother, Hazel desperately needs the executive assistant position at Sterling Group. The salary could finally give her two-year-old Leo the life he deserves. But her new boss, CEO Liam Sterling, is nothing like she expected.

Demanding, brilliant, and devastatingly handsome, Liam has a reputation for being impossible to work for. Most assistants don't last a week. When Hazel refuses to be intimidated by his cold demeanor and sharp tongue, something shifts between them. The attraction is immediate and electric, crackling through every professional interaction.

But it's his eyes that stop her cold. The same striking violet-blue shade that stares back at her every morning when she looks at her son.

As the tension between them builds and the lines between professional and personal begin to blur, Hazel finds herself caught between her desperate need for this job and her growing attraction to the one man who could destroy everything she's worked for.

She doesn't know that Liam has been searching for the mysterious woman from the masquerade ball ever since that night changed him forever. And he has no idea that the composed, fiery assistant who challenges him at every turn is the same woman who haunts his dreams.

When the truth finally comes to light, will it bring them together or tear apart the fragile new life Hazel has built for herself and her son?

"But why are you all still here working?" I asked, surveying the bustling reception area where our entire team had gathered, including Hazel and Allen, fielding what seemed like endless inquiries.


"After everything that went down these past forty-eight hours, we're drowning in damage control," Hazel explained, her usually composed demeanor showing signs of strain. "We're rescheduling meetings with every client and supplier who got redirected to Clairemont's fake operation, plus dealing with our existing partners who caught wind of what happened and are demanding answers."


"Liam, I've drafted an official statement that needs to go out to all clients and suppliers immediately," Allen announced, his fingers flying across his tablet. "I'm forwarding it to both your and Damian's email right now."


"The faster you two approve and release that statement, the quicker we can start doing damage control," Chloe added, her voice carrying an edge of urgency.


Chapter 172 - Chapter 172 - Medical Clearance and Damage Co