The next morning, sunlight streamed into Elena Carter's tiny apartment in Brooklyn, bouncing off the sketches and color palettes scattered across her table. She had barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, the memory replayed: piercing gray eyes, a powerful grip on her wrist, and that single word he had whispered—Interesting.
Why had Alexander Knight found her interesting? She wasn't one of those glamorous women who threw themselves at him. She was just a designer barely holding her life together.
Her phone buzzed, yanking her from her thoughts. It was a call from her boss, Mr. Peterson, his voice unusually animated.
"Elena! You won't believe this—Knight International just contacted us. Alexander Knight wants you at his office tomorrow morning. Something about his European headquarters project."
Elena froze. "Me? Are you sure?"
"He asked for you by name."
Her stomach dropped. Why would a man like Alexander Knight—who could hire the world's top designers—ask for her?
The next day, she found herself standing in the glass-and-steel skyscraper of Knight International, surrounded by marble floors, polished walls, and assistants who moved like shadows. The air itself felt richer, heavier, as though it carried the weight of billions.
She was led into his office on the top floor. It wasn't just an office—it was a kingdom. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Manhattan, the city sprawled like a conquered empire beneath him.
And there he was.
Alexander Knight sat behind a sleek black desk, his tailored suit as perfect as yesterday, his expression unreadable. He didn't look up immediately; he signed a document, handed it to his assistant, and only then raised those storm-gray eyes to her.
Elena's breath caught.
"Miss Carter," he said smoothly. "We meet again."
She swallowed hard. "Mr. Knight."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, he rose, every movement controlled, deliberate. "I have a project in London. A new headquarters for Knight International. I want you to design it."
Elena blinked. "Me? Why not hire one of the world's top firms?"
His lips curved faintly—not a smile, more like a calculated expression. "Because none of them dared to insult me last night. And I like to see what happens when someone isn't afraid of me."
Her heart pounded. "So this is… a test?"
"Call it a challenge." He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "The contract will pay enough to solve all your… financial troubles."
Elena stiffened. "You've looked into me."
Alexander's gaze held hers without apology. "Of course. I don't invest in what I don't know."
Something about the way he said invest made her feel like she was standing at the edge of a deal with the devil.
But she couldn't deny it. This was her chance—her one chance to save her family, her career, everything.
Still, she lifted her chin, refusing to let him see her desperation. "And what do you expect from me, Mr. Knight?"
His eyes darkened, a glint of something dangerous flashing within.
"Excellence," he said. "And obedience. Can you deliver both?"
Elena's pulse quickened. She wanted to tell him off, to walk away from his arrogance. But instead, the words slipped from her lips like a vow she couldn't take back.
"Yes."
Alexander studied her for a long moment, then finally extended his hand. His grip was strong, commanding, sealing not just a contract—but something far more dangerous.
As his fingers closed around hers, Elena had no idea she had just stepped into a game where every move would test her limits… and her heart.
And Alexander Knight?
He wasn't just offering her a deal.
He was setting a trap.