Late afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows of Kane Luxe Tower, casting long golden reflections across the polished floor of Alessia Kane's office.
The executive floor had grown quieter as the day slowly moved toward evening. Most departments had settled into their final tasks, leaving only the faint sound of distant conversations and keyboard clicks drifting through the hallway.
Inside her office, Alessia sat behind her desk reviewing the final report for a new skincare product scheduled for launch next month.
Her expression remained calm and focused as she read through the pages.
Across from her stood Daniel Park, her executive assistant, tablet in hand.
"The marketing department finalized the production timeline," he said. "They're waiting for your approval before moving forward."
Alessia scanned the document one final time before signing the last page.
"Approve it," she said, sliding the folder back across the desk.
Daniel nodded and made a quick note on his tablet.
"You also have a conference call with the European distributors in thirty minutes."
Alessia leaned back slightly in her chair.
"Move it to tomorrow morning."
Daniel typed quickly.
"Yes, Miss Kane."
At that moment, the phone on Alessia's desk lit up.
Daniel glanced briefly at the caller ID and immediately recognized the name displayed on the screen.
Victor Kane.
Daniel stepped back politely.
"I'll give you some privacy."
He left the office quietly, closing the door behind him.
Alessia picked up the phone.
"Hello, Dad."
Victor's voice came through the line, calm as always.
"Are you busy?"
"Not particularly," she replied. "What's going on?"
There was a brief pause before Victor spoke again.
"There's something I believe you should know."
Alessia straightened slightly in her chair.
Her father rarely called during the middle of the workday unless something important had happened.
"What is it?"
Victor spoke in his usual measured tone.
"Ethan Blake attempted to leak photos of the two of you from the Imperial Galleria event."
For a moment, Alessia said nothing.
Then her expression hardened.
"He did what?"
"He sent photographs of the two of you speaking at the event to a gossip blogger," Victor explained calmly.
Alessia's grip on the phone tightened slightly.
Of course Ethan would try something like this.
She had blocked his number.
Blocked his messages.
Even security at Kane Luxe Tower had thrown him out when he tried to visit.
And now he was trying to force her attention another way.
"What exactly was he planning?" she asked.
"The blogger intended to post the photos with a story suggesting the two of you were reconnecting."
Alessia exhaled slowly.
Her anger rose immediately, sharp and intense.
But her voice remained perfectly controlled.
"That man never learns."
Victor listened quietly before continuing.
"The article was stopped before it could be published."
Alessia's eyes narrowed.
"You stopped it?"
"Yes."
Victor spoke calmly.
"I received information through one of my media contacts. The story was removed before it went online."
Alessia leaned back in her chair, staring out at the city skyline beyond her office window.
Kintara City looked peaceful from this height.
But somewhere out there, Ethan Blake was clearly still trying to insert himself into her life.
She had already wasted enough time thinking about him.
"Thank you for handling it," she said.
Victor responded thoughtfully.
"Alessia, men like Ethan Blake rarely stop after one attempt."
She knew that already.
Ethan had always been persistent.
Charming when things went his way.
But difficult when they didn't.
"What do you suggest?" she asked.
Victor's answer was simple.
"Consequences."
Alessia remained silent for a moment.
Victor continued.
"People like him only stop when they face consequences."
The words settled quietly in Alessia's mind.
Ignoring Ethan clearly wasn't enough.
As long as he believed he could keep disturbing her life without consequence, he would continue trying.
Victor spoke again.
"There's something else you should look at."
"Yes?"
"I had my assistant prepare a background report on Ethan Blake."
Alessia almost smiled.
That sounded exactly like her father.
"I suspected you might."
"I've sent the file to your email."
Alessia turned toward her computer and opened the message that had just appeared in her inbox.
The report was detailed.
Very detailed.
Information about Ethan's consulting business.
His recent clients.
His financial records.
Even several risky investments he had made during the past year.
Alessia read quietly while Victor continued speaking.
"It appears his firm hasn't been performing very well recently."
Alessia's eyes moved down the page.
Missed investment opportunities.
Several declining clients.
Growing debt.
Interesting.
"So he's struggling," she said calmly.
"Yes."
That explained a lot.
Ethan had always cared about appearances.
Luxury apartments.
Expensive suits.
Exclusive restaurants.
If his business was failing, that could easily explain his sudden desperation to reconnect with her.
Victor spoke again.
"I trust you'll decide how to handle the situation."
Alessia closed the report slowly.
For weeks she had chosen the simplest approach.
Ignore Ethan.
Move forward.
Focus on her company.
But if he continued trying to drag her name into public drama…
That strategy might need to change.
"I think it's time Ethan understands something," she said quietly.
Victor raised an eyebrow.
"And what would that be?"
"That bothering me was a mistake."
Victor smiled faintly on the other end of the line.
"That sounds like my daughter."
They ended the call shortly afterward.
For several minutes, Alessia remained seated at her desk, staring thoughtfully at the report on her computer screen.
The evening sun dipped lower over the skyline.
Her fingers tapped lightly against the desk.
If Ethan wanted to play games…
He had chosen the wrong person.
Alessia Kane picked up the printed report and studied it again.
This time more carefully.
A slow, calculating smile appeared on her face.
"Consequences," she murmured softly.
Will Alessia really destroy Ethan Blake… or will Ethan create even bigger trouble for her first?