The city buzzed with life as Clara Smith hurried through the glass doors of her office building, the weight of a restless day pressing on her shoulders. At twenty-eight, she carried the fierce determination of someone who had clawed her way up from nothing, refusing to be just another face lost in the crowd.
Her startup was on the brink of something big, but tonight's meeting could change everything—for better or worse.
Inside her office, the late afternoon sun warmed the sleek surfaces as Clara straightened her blazer and checked her reflection in the window. Her phone vibrated again—a text from an unknown number.
"Meet me at The Sterling rooftop, 6 PM. It's important."
Her heart quickened, not from fear, but curiosity.
She arrived at The Sterling just as the city lights flickered on, painting the skyline in gold and blue. The rooftop was quiet except for the soft murmur of late diners and the gentle hum of the city below.
And then she saw him.
Adrian Miller stood by the railing, the city reflected in his dark eyes. He was every bit the powerful CEO she'd heard about—calm, confident, and impossibly handsome. Yet, something in his gaze hinted at secrets hidden beneath the surface.
"Clara Smith," he said, voice low and smooth. "I hope you don't mind the invitation."
Clara folded her arms, trying to hide the flutter in her chest. "Who are you to send me mysterious messages?"
Adrian smiled faintly. "Let's just say I have a vested interest in keeping you safe. That investor you're talking to? He's not what he seems."
Her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Before he could answer, a figure appeared behind her—Vanessa, Clara's estranged sister, her expression cold and unreadable.
"You don't belong in this world, Clara," Vanessa said sharply. "Stay away from those people—or you'll lose more than just your business."
Clara's jaw tightened. Family wounds she thought had healed reopened in an instant.
Adrian stepped closer, his presence grounding. "You're caught between business and family, Clara. But remember, not all battles are fought alone."
As the city lights sparkled beneath them, Clara knew her life was about to change forever. Love, danger, and loyalty were tangled in ways she hadn't imagined.
And Adrian Miller—her unexpected ally—was at the heart of it all.
The three of them stood on the edge of a storm—business deals, family secrets, and a growing attraction that neither Clara nor Adrian could