Ava Ellis groaned into her pillow as the early light filtered through her curtains. Before she could pull the covers over her head, her phone buzzed insistently. Blinking away sleep, she reached for it.
"What are you doing, sister?" came the familiar voice of her older brother, filled with concern.
"Just waking up..." Ava mumbled, her voice groggy. "Why the sudden concern today? Aren't you a bit too free, calling me twice in a week?"
He sighed, his tone shifting. "Aren't you my beloved sister who's always causing trouble?"
Ava squinted at the ceiling. "Huh? Trouble? What did I do now?"
"Ava," he said, voice now serious. "Someone has been looking into you. It wasn't some random surveillance or surface-level snooping. This was hidden tech—classified level stuff. I couldn't trace the tracker without alerting them. Whoever it is, they're dangerous. Come home before you fall into something you can't handle."
Ava stilled, her fingers tightening around her sheets. A deep breath later, she replied, "I'm sorry, brother. But I'm not coming back."
"Ava—"
"No. I'm not a child. I can take care of myself. And if I can't..." she gave a soft laugh, "...you're there for me, aren't you?"
He was silent for a moment before muttering, "I get it. But, little chipmunk, I can't sit still knowing someone might be targeting you. If Dad hears even a whisper of this, he's going to beat the hell out of me."
She laughed, the tension breaking momentarily. "Dear brother, I won't let that happen. I promise. If anything bad happens, I'll be on the first flight home."
"Promise me one more thing. If something—anything—happens, you tell me first. No heroics. Understood?"
She softened her voice, playfully replying, "Yes, boss."
"Take care," he said before the call ended.
Ava placed the phone back on her bed, her amused expression melting into a serious one. Her voice barely above a whisper, she muttered, "Who the hell is searching for me... and why?"
Her eyes flicked to the time on her watch. "Crap." Bolting up, she darted into the bathroom.
She darted toward the bathroom, tying her hair into a quick bun on the way. Ten minutes later, she emerged in a sleek navy pantsuit, her blouse tucked neatly under a structured blazer. Her heels were matte black, polished to shine. It was a simple yet striking ensemble—just enough elegance to stand out, just enough sharpness to keep people at bay.
As the cab pulled up to the grand glass building of Vale Conglomerate.
Dressed professionally in a tailored navy blue blazer, slim trousers, and sleek heels, Ava looked every bit the part of an elegant corporate woman. As she stepped out of the cab, she paused for a moment, glancing at herself in the side mirror. Her gaze was steady. Her expression unreadable.
"Let's think about that later," she muttered, releasing a breath.
Her heels clicked against the marble as she stepped into the Vale Conglomerate building. The towering skyscraper loomed with a cold elegance—glass and steel polished to perfection. Inside, high-end modern design met minimalist functionality. Monochrome tones blended with rich wood textures. It was intimidating, and undoubtedly powerful.
She approached the reception desk, where the staff handed her a digital ID with flawless efficiency.
Moments later, a woman in a sleek black pencil dress and sharp bun approached. "Miss Ava Ellis?"
"Yes."
"I'm here to escort you."
They entered the elevator together. Ava observed as the woman pressed the button for the 35th floor—the very top.
Her brow lifted. "The 35th floor?"
The woman replied crisply, "You'll know soon."
When the doors opened, Ava stepped into a floor that split into two wings. One led to an open office area filled with secretaries. The other, more secluded and grand, suggested it housed an executive office—likely the CEO's.
The decor was luxurious yet minimalistic. High glass windows washed the room in natural light. Leather, steel, and glass were balanced in perfect harmony. It was a space that demanded attention and silence.
Ava's heels echoed through the room, drawing eyes. A row of secretaries looked up in sync. For a moment, they stared—not just at her striking features, but at the commanding grace she exuded.
Cold blue eyes met theirs.
She walked with effortless grace, poised as if she owned the building. And for a second, every person in that room believed she just might.
Then a clear voice rang out. "Everyone, meet our new member of the secretary department, Miss Ava Ellis." The speaker, a poised woman with sharp glasses, was Messa—the head of the secretary division.
Ava gave a polite nod, but her brows furrowed. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I think there's been a mistake. I applied for the R&D department, not the secretariat."
Messa adjusted her glasses. "Miss Ava, at Vale Conglomerate, mistakes don't happen. You've been placed exactly where you're needed."
Before Ava could press further, a man exited from the large doors of what must have been the CEO's office.
He was tall ,his sharp gaze was calm and calculating ,crisp in a charcoal suit, his presence immediately silenced the murmuring room.
"I'll take it from here," he said.
Messa nodded, and the staff returned to their work. The man gestured silently for Ava to follow.
Inside the private office, he motioned to the seat opposite his desk. Ava sat, composed.
He introduced himself with a polite nod. "I'm James Lang. I understand you're confused. You applied for R&D, but your resume stood out, and we urgently needed a Personal Assistant. You were the best fit."
"I'm sorry," Ava said, her voice clear. "I understand your urgency, but I'm not fit to be a PA. It's not my field."
"I understand your concern," James replied
He remained calm. "You won't have any issues adapting. It's only for three months. After that, you'll be transferred to R&D."
"I have no experience in this role," she countered.
"You'll be trained."
"It's still a no."
"I can't accept that," she insisted. "I don't want to do something I'm not passionate about."
James opened his mouth to speak—but was interrupted by a cold voice.
"Didn't you read the rules before applying here?"
Ava turned .
There, leaning against the frame with casual arrogance, stood a man in a black tailored suit. It hugged his broad shoulders perfectly, his dark shirt open at the collar. Cold obsidian eyes pinned her in place.
Her heart skipped for a moment.
He was tall—commanding in a way that felt almost unnatural.
And somehow… familiar.
He walked forward, his eyes locked onto hers. "In this company, once you're selected, you don't leave—unless we permit it."
She rose from her seat, posture defiant. "But I haven't signed the contract yet."
He stopped just a breath away from her, voice low and magnetic. "Miss Ava... the moment you stepped into my building, everything under this roof became mine. Including your time."
She clenched her jaw. Her eyes sharpened like ice. "That's ridiculous."
Her breath hitched.
He raised a brow. "Oh? Then you're welcome to compensate us for the time and resources wasted. That would be, let's see... 50 million."
He smirked. "Details matter, Miss Ellis."
Ava stared at him, fire flaring in her chest.
He wasn't just arrogant.
He seemed dangerous.
And with that, Ava realized something far more dangerous than a mistaken job posting had happened.
She had walked into his world.
And now, he wasn't going to let her go.