Aria held Alexander Knight's gaze, refusing to look away first.
The music from the gala floated around them, soft and elegant, but the space between them felt tense—like a chess match where both players were waiting for the other to move.
Alexander swirled the drink in his glass slowly.
"You're very calm," he said.
"Shouldn't I be?" Aria replied.
"Most people become nervous when I start asking questions."
Aria shrugged slightly. "Maybe they have something to hide."
For a moment, silence stretched between them.
Then Alexander gave a quiet chuckle.
"Interesting."
His eyes drifted over her face again, studying every detail like he was trying to solve a puzzle.
Aria felt the pressure of his attention but kept her expression steady.
Don't let him read you.
Alexander suddenly straightened.
"Walk with me."
It wasn't a request.
He turned and began walking toward the balcony doors overlooking the city skyline.
Aria hesitated for only a second before following him.
The cool night air greeted them as they stepped outside. Below them, the city lights stretched endlessly, cars moving like glowing streams through the streets.
Alexander rested his hands lightly on the railing.
"This city," he said quietly, "runs on power."
Aria stepped beside him.
"Money too."
"That's the same thing."
He glanced at her.
"People fight their entire lives to get a piece of it."
"And you already own most of it," Aria replied.
Alexander smirked faintly.
"I didn't inherit my position."
His voice carried a sharp edge now.
"I built it."
Aria said nothing.
Because she knew that wasn't entirely true.
Knight Global had risen to power the same year her father's company had collapsed.
That couldn't be a coincidence.
Alexander turned to face her fully.
"Tell me something, Miss Bennett."
His eyes locked onto hers again.
"What do you want?"
The question caught her slightly off guard.
"From the company," he clarified. "From this city. From life."
Aria leaned lightly against the railing, pretending to think.
But inside, the answer was already burning in her chest.
Revenge.
Instead, she said calmly, "Success."
Alexander watched her carefully.
Then he shook his head.
"That's not it."
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"You're too focused," he continued. "Too controlled. People chasing success usually look excited."
His gaze sharpened.
"You look like someone chasing something much more personal."
Her pulse jumped.
He was getting too close to the truth.
Aria forced a small smile.
"Maybe I'm just ambitious."
Alexander studied her for another moment before suddenly changing the subject.
"I'm promoting you."
Aria blinked.
"What?"
"You start working directly under the executive team tomorrow."
For the first time that night, Aria was genuinely shocked.
"That's impossible," she said. "I just joined the company."
Alexander didn't look surprised by her reaction.
"I know."
"Then why?"
His expression remained calm.
"Because I like talent."
He picked up his glass again.
"And because I enjoy keeping interesting people close."
Aria felt something shift in her chest.
This wasn't part of her plan.
She had intended to slowly work her way up inside the company.
But Alexander Knight had just moved her straight into the center of his empire.
Too fast.
Too easy.
Too suspicious.
"Why me?" she asked carefully.
Alexander stepped closer again.
Close enough that his voice dropped slightly.
"Because," he said quietly, "I want to see what you do next."
His eyes held hers with an intensity that made her breath tighten.
"And because I have a feeling…"
He paused.
"…that you didn't come to my company by accident."
For a brief second, Aria felt like he could see straight through her.
But then he smiled faintly.
Not accusing.
Just intrigued.
"Congratulations on your promotion, Miss Bennett."
He lifted his glass slightly.
"Welcome to the real game."
Aria stood there as he walked back inside the gala.
Her mind was racing.
This was supposed to be her revenge plan.
Yet somehow…
Alexander Knight had just pulled her closer to him than she ever expected.
And something about the look in his eyes told her one thing very clearly.
He was not a man who lost games easily.