This was insane.
She wasn't the type of woman you wanted to cross paths with. She'd destroy you.
And I had no way out.
I forced myself to keep my expression neutral, but my fists clenched so tight I felt my nails dig into my palms.
Avery's icy blue eyes scanned the room, lingering on each person like she was measuring their worth.
She had that same look on her face—the one that always made my blood boil. The one that said you are beneath me. The only blonde woman I couldn't stand.
I remembered the last time we ran into each other. She had looked at me like she expected me to lick the ground she walked on. And now? I was stuck working under her.
Fucking hell.
"Take a seat, everyone."
Her voice was smooth, authoritative, completely unshaken. And like puppets on strings, everyone obeyed instantly.
She took a seat right next to me, leaving the head chair for Mr. Blackwood. Because, of course, he'd always be the head, even if he was stepping down.
"I'm counting on you all to work with my granddaughter just like you worked with me," Mr. Blackwood said. "Support her, just as you supported me. I want everything to go smoothly. Now, go ahead and introduce yourselves."
And just my luck—I had to go first.
I swallowed the irritation burning at the back of my throat, forcing my voice to remain steady.
"I'm Austin Smith. Your assistant."
The words felt like a death sentence.
Everyone else went around introducing themselves, but I barely heard a thing. My thoughts were too loud, screaming at me that I had just signed away my freedom.
"Well, since I've introduced myself to every department head, I'm going to try settling in," Avery said, standing. "I hope we can work well together."
Lies.
She didn't hope for anything. She expected.
We all stood as she linked arms with her grandfather and walked out, leaving the rest of us in the room to finally breathe.
But I couldn't.
Because my nightmare was just beginning.
I followed them out of the meeting room, my pulse thundering in my ears. We stepped into the elevator, the tension between us so thick it could have suffocated me.
And then, out of nowhere—
"It was a last-minute decision."
Mr. Blackwood's voice cut through the silence. I blinked, unsure if he was talking to me or Avery.
"I know you must be surprised, Austin," he continued. "You were expecting my daughter to take over."
No shit.
I stayed silent.
"I thought about it, and I couldn't think of a better person to fill the position," he added, his tone decisive. "Avery was born into this world—she knows what it takes. I hope you don't mind the surprise?"
I was about to answer, but—
"Why do you have to explain anything to him, Grandpa?"
Avery's voice was sharp, laced with amusement.
"If he doesn't want to work as my assistant, he can leave. I'm sure there are hundreds of people who would kill for the position."
My jaw clenched.
There it was.
Her attitude.
That fucking arrogance that made me want to slam my fist into a wall.
"No, Avery."
Mr. Blackwood's voice was stern.
"He's the only one capable of this job. I need to speak to both of you."
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out, walking toward his office. An office that would soon belong to her.
My stomach turned at the thought.
Inside, we sat across from each other, an invisible war brewing between us.