The conference hall was a cathedral of cold power—floor-to-ceiling windows, marble everywhere, and a view of the city that screamed money, influence, and untouchable danger.
Aurora stepped inside, clutching her folder like a lifeline, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. Around her, some of the world's richest men milled about—trillionaires and billionaires decked out in suits that cost more than most people's annual salaries.
Among them, River Damon stood like a dark god, his expression unreadable, eyes cold and sharp enough to cut glass. Next to him was his cousin—an equally intimidating man known in whispers as "The Ghost," a ruthless player in the underworld with a reputation so deadly even River gave him a respectful nod.
The air was thick with tension, but also an unspoken promise: this room was where empires were made and destroyed.
Aurora took her seat near the front, feeling the weight of a hundred eyes on her. Not just because she was new, or because she was River's assistant, but because everyone knew the game. Everyone knew River's reputation.
And no one wanted to get on his bad side.
Minutes later, the meeting kicked off. River's voice cut through the polished hall like a razor.
"Let's get one thing straight," he said, cool and commanding. "I don't tolerate bullshit. If you're here to play nice, you're in the wrong room."
He scanned the crowd with a predator's gaze, then landed on a trembling exec from a rival company.
"Don't fuck up my deals. I don't care if you're wearing tuxedos or rags."
Aurora's eyes flicked around the room—suits, ties, designer dresses—but not a single rag in sight. She shot him a look. Was that an indirect insult?
River caught her gaze and smirked. "Relax, princess. Not talking about you… yet."
The exec swallowed hard. Aurora felt a chill, not from the air conditioning
River's cousin—The Ghost—smirked beside him, but said nothing. The power between them was palpable. Two kings in a chess game where every move was lethal.
The rest of the meeting was a blur of cold, calculated discussions. International trade routes, coded financial transfers, shell companies, and black market logistics—this wasn't a typical boardroom. It was a summit of dangerous men who moved illegal money across continents like Monopoly pieces.
River barely spoke, but when he did, the room fell silent.
"I don't care if it's clean, dirty, or soaked in blood," he said flatly, leaning back in his chair. "If it moves through my pipeline, I get my cut."
No one dared challenge him.
He wasn't just rich—he was feared.
As the meeting finally adjourned, chairs shifted and the trillionaires began to file out in expensive shoes and muted colognes, whispering about global deals and offshore accounts.
Aurora gathered her things quickly, head buzzing, heart racing. She wasn't supposed to be here. This was not a place for assistants. This was a throne room for criminals with immaculate grooming.
She was halfway to the door when it came—his voice, deep and deadly behind her.
"Stop right there."
She froze instantly. The heat in his tone was different now—colder, thicker. It rolled over her skin like smoke.
She turned slowly.
River was still seated, legs spread wide, hands resting on his thighs like a man who owned everything he saw—including her.
"Did I tell you to leave?" he asked.
"No," she said quietly, pulse speeding up.
"Then why are you walking away from me like I don't own the ground you're shaking on?"
Her lips parted, but nothing came out.
River stood, slow and deliberate, his black shirt hugging his chest like a second skin. He walked toward her with predator grace, each step echoing in the empty marble hall.
When he reached her, he didn't say anything at first. He just stood there, towering over her, letting the silence drag like a blade across her nerves.
Then he leaned in, voice brushing against her ear. "You've been distracting me all morning, baby. Sitting there with that pretty mouth, pretending to take notes while I'm thinking about bending you over the goddamn conference table."
Aurora's breath caught in her throat.