Aurora stood frozen for a long time after Xavier Black left her office. The scent of his expensive, dark cologne still lingered in the air, a reminder of the threat he had just delivered. Fifty million dollars. It was a staggering amount, especially since she had just drained her liquid assets to finalize the hostile takeover of Vance Industries.
"Mr. Hayes," Aurora called out, her voice slightly strained. "I need an immediate audit of every private loan Richard Vance might have taken outside the official banking system. Check for any offshore accounts tied to the name 'Vanguard' or 'Black'."
Hayes worked through the night, but by dawn, his face told her everything she feared. "There's nothing on paper, Aurora. But I found something else. Every company that Xavier Black has 'collected debt' from has vanished from the map. He doesn't just take money; he absorbs empires."
Aurora spent the day in a whirlwind of meetings, trying to liquidate assets or secure a short-term loan. But the moment she mentioned Xavier Black's name, the city's most powerful bankers turned pale and suddenly found reasons to end the conversation. No one wanted to cross the King of Shadow Finance.
As the clock struck midnight, the heavy doors of her office swung open again. Xavier walked in, looking as if he had just stepped off a runway, his presence filling the room with an undeniable pressure.
"Time is up, little bird," Xavier said, leaning against the doorframe, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. "Do you have my money, or do you have your bags packed?"
Aurora stood tall, her emerald eyes burning with defiance. "I don't have fifty million in cash right now, Xavier. And you know that. You timed this perfectly."
Xavier stepped closer, a dark, amused glint in his eyes. "Of course I did. I don't leave things to chance. So, what's it going to be? Bankruptcy? Or... something else?"
"What do you want?" Aurora asked, her voice low.
Xavier reached out, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face. The touch was electric, making Aurora's heart race against her will. "I don't want your money, Aurora. I have more than I can spend. I want your expertise. Phoenix Holdings has a technology patent for encrypted data that I need. Give me the patent, and stay by my side as my 'Chief Strategist' for one year, and the debt is forgiven."
"You want me to work for you?" Aurora gasped. "After I just fought my way back to the top?"
"Not for me," Xavier whispered, his face inches from hers. "With me. Beside me. You have a mind for destruction, Aurora. I want to see what happens when we use it together."