The sleek black town car hummed quietly as it pulled up in front of a towering glass building in midtown Manhattan. Elena Carter stepped out, her sketchbook tucked under her arm, and stared up at the headquarters of Knight International like it was a fortress made of steel and pride.
She wasn't intimidated. At least, that's what she told herself.
The truth was, her heart pounded. Today would be her first official meeting with Alexander Knight about the London project. It wasn't just another job—it was a deal that could change the entire course of her life. And deep down, she knew Alexander wasn't the type of man to make things easy.
Inside the boardroom, she found him waiting.
Alexander stood near the window, gazing out at the skyline with one hand in his pocket, his posture relaxed but commanding. His tailored suit was charcoal gray today, his tie perfectly knotted, his aura so powerful it almost felt like the room bent around him.
He didn't turn when she entered. "You're late."
Elena frowned, glancing at the clock on the wall. "It's 9:00 a.m. sharp. You said nine."
Finally, he looked at her, one brow arching with cool amusement. "In my world, being on time is already late."
Her jaw tightened. "Then perhaps you should specify that in your invitations."
For a moment, silence stretched—then, to her shock, his lips curved slightly, as if he enjoyed her defiance. "Noted," he murmured, gesturing for her to sit.
The table between them was long, polished, and intimidating, covered with blueprints, contracts, and glossy architectural portfolios. Elena placed her sketchbook down, flipping it open to reveal her hand-drawn concepts.
"I've prepared a few ideas for the London headquarters," she began, steadying her voice. "Your brand projects power, but it also needs to feel timeless. I want to use bold geometry, but balance it with warmth—something that speaks not just of strength, but legacy."
Alexander leaned forward, his gaze scanning her work. His silence made her pulse race. Finally, he said, "Not bad."
"Not bad?" she echoed, unable to hide the sting.
"Not bad for someone who's used to small-scale projects. But this isn't a boutique hotel or a fancy loft in Brooklyn, Miss Carter. This is an empire's crown jewel." His voice was smooth, but sharp enough to cut.
Elena bristled. "With all due respect, Mr. Knight, you didn't hire me to copy what everyone else has done. If you want a soulless building, hire someone else. But if you want something unforgettable, you'll let me do my job."
For a long moment, Alexander said nothing. His gaze locked onto hers, unreadable, probing. She felt like he was peeling back her defenses, testing if she would flinch.
Then, unexpectedly, he leaned back in his chair and smirked. "You're either incredibly brave… or incredibly foolish."
"Maybe both," she shot back before she could stop herself.
A low chuckle escaped him. It wasn't warm, but it wasn't cruel either. It was the sound of a man who hadn't been amused in a very long time.
"Very well," Alexander said at last. "Show me what 'unforgettable' looks like."
Elena exhaled slowly, forcing herself to focus. She spread out her sketches, describing each concept with passion, her hands moving as she spoke. The more she explained, the more her confidence returned. This was her territory. Design was the one place she never bowed to anyone, not even a man like Alexander Knight.
When she finally finished, she looked up to find him watching her—not her sketches, but her.
The intensity in his gray eyes made her breath catch.
"Interesting," he murmured, echoing the same word he'd used the night they first met.
Elena swallowed, her pulse racing. She didn't know whether to feel flattered or afraid.
One thing was certain—this wasn't just business anymore.
It was a battle.
And she wasn't going to lose.