Rain hammered violently against the city as Elena Rivers ran through the marble lobby of Blackwood Corporation. Her clothes were soaked, her breath uneven, but she didn't care.
Her sister didn't have hours left.
She reached the top floor, pushed past the secretary, and burst into the CEO's private office.
Adrian Blackwood slowly lifted his gaze from the documents.Sharp jawline. Cold eyes. A presence so intimidating that the air itself tensed around him.
"Who allowed you to enter?" His voice was low, lethal.
Elena's chest tightened. "Please… I-I need help. My sister—she's in the hospital. I need money. I'll do anything."
Adrian leaned back in his leather chair, studying her trembling form.Rainwater dripped from her hair to the spotless floor.She looked fragile… desperate.
"Anything?" he repeated softly, the word echoing with danger.
Elena nodded, even though fear crawled up her spine.
He stood slowly, every step deliberate, powerful.He stopped in front of her, lifting her chin with two fingers.
His touch was cold.His eyes even colder.
"I don't offer charity," he murmured. "I offer deals."
Elena swallowed. "What do you want?"
A faint smirk touched his lips — dark, calculated.
"You."
Her breath caught. "W-What do you mean?"
Adrian reached behind her.The door clicked shut, locking automatically.
He walked past her, picked up a black folder from the desk, and set it in front of her.
"Sign a one-year contract with me."
Elena stared at the papers, her heart pounding."A contract… for what?"
Adrian's voice dropped to a whisper that wrapped around her like chains.
"You'll stay with me.Live where I tell you.Follow my rules.Belong to me."
Elena stepped back, shaking."That sounds like—"
"Like I'm buying you?"He tilted his head."Yes. That's exactly what I'm doing."
Her knees weakened."Why me?"
Adrian's eyes darkened with something she couldn't understand.
"Because I want you."
Those four words felt like a trap closing around her.
Elena's sister's face flashed in her mind — pale, fragile, fading.
She had no choice.
Her trembling fingers picked up the pen.
Adrian watched every movement.
"Good," he said quietly, dangerously."Your life now belongs to me, Elena."
And with a single signature, her fate was sealed