The elevator doors slid open with a sharp metallic sound, and Amelia stepped out into the
underground garage of Blackwood Technologies.
Her arm was beneath the clean white bandage. The hospital smell still clung to her skin. The
night had finally gone quiet. No more sirens, no more screaming. The chandelier had fallen, the
guests had gone home, the police had taken statements.The chaos was over.
But the air did not feel safe.
Ethan walked ahead of her without looking back. His stride was long and steady, like nothing in
the world had shaken him. His suit was still perfect. Not a wrinkle and not a sign that hours ago
glass had exploded above hundreds of people.
He pressed a button on his car key and the headlights flashed.
"Get in,
" he said.
"No please, no are you okay, just get in, that's not right" she said
Ethan looked her " Please get in Amelia"
Amelia slid into the passenger seat. The door shut with a solid click. For a moment there was
silence except for the low sound of the engine.
"You should rest,
" she said, staring straight ahead.
"I don't rest after someone tries to kill my guests,
" he replied calmly.
Her head turned slowly toward him.
"You think it was deliberate.
"
"I don't think,
" he said.
"I know.
"
The car entered smoothly into the empty street, city lights reflecting like scattered stars. Amelia
crossed her arms, careful of her wound.
"Say it clearly. You think it was planned.
" Ethan's jaw
tightened.
"Chain tampered. Logs altered. Twelve minutes of footage gone.
" She stared.
"You
knew.
" "I know everything at my events.
" That arrogant certainty lingered. They drove the rest of
the way in silence.When they arrived at his company headquarters, the building stood tall and
silent against the night sky. Black glass. Sharp lines. No warmth.
Inside, the lobby lights were dimmed but still glowing. A security guard straightened immediately
when Ethan walked in.
"Sir.
"
"Go home,
" Ethan said.
"Double the exterior patrol.
"
"Yes, sir.
"
Amelia watched how easily people obeyed him. No argument. No hesitation. It irritated and
angered her.
They stepped into the private elevator. As the doors closed, she finally spoke.
"You enjoy this, don't you.
"
"Enjoy what.
"
"Controlling and bossy attitude "
He looked at her then. Really looked at her.
"I require control,
" he corrected.
"There's a difference.
"
The elevator opened into his private floor. His office lights were already on. Someone had
prepared it in advance.
He removed his jacket and placed it carefully over the back of a chair. Every movement was
precise.
"Sit,
" he said.
She remained standing for a moment, just to test him.
His eyes looked up."Sit, Amelia.
"
She sat.
He walked around the desk and leaned against it, arms folded.
"You handled the situation better than my own security team,
" he said.
"You assessed risk. You
moved fast. You made decisions without waiting for permission.
"
"That's called survival,
" she replied.
"It's called leadership.
"
She blinked.
He pushed a folder across the desk toward her.
"I want you to work for me.
"
There it was.
Not a build up. Not a soft approach. Just a decision already made in his head.
She did not touch the folder.
"You barely know me.
"
"I know enough.
"
"You know I argue with you.
"
"Yes.
"
"You know I don't agree with you half the time.
"
"Yes.
"
"Then why me.
"
He straightened slightly.
"Because you don't bow.
"
The words sat heavy between them.
Most women at that gala had looked at him like he was untouchable. Amelia hadn't. She had
challenged him during chaos. She had questioned his orders and she had not been afraid.
"This isn't flattery,
" he continued.
"This is business. Blackwood Technologies hosts events worth
millions, investors, politicians, media. I need someone who can stand in a storm and not
crumble.
"
She finally opened the folder.
Budgets, contracts, international launches, security diagrams. Everything was massive.
"You expect perfection,
" she said quietly.
"I demand it.
"
"And if I fail.
"
"You won't.
"
The certainty in his voice made her angry.
"You don't get to decide that because tell me how you expect me to work for you after what just
happened"
His eyes hardened slightly.
"No. But I decide who gets the opportunity.
"
Silence filled the office.
She closed the folder slowly.
"This is too fast,
" she said.
"Tonight someone tried to sabotage your event. Someone sent me a
photo from above the ceiling. You think I'm going to jump into your world without thinking?"
His expression did not change."I am giving you twenty-four hours,
" he said.
"After that, I move forward with someone else.
"
There it was, pressure, always pressure.
" Don't command me. I will choose to work for you or not. Not by your command sir and I am
sure you assume I want it that badly.
"
"I know you do.
"
Her heart beat harder at that.
He stepped closer to the desk.
"You crave challenges. You crave scale. Small events bore you. I saw your face when you
looked at those proposals. You're already imagining how to improve them.
"
She hated that he was right.
"I need time,
" she said firmly.
"You have it. Twenty-four hours. Not a minute more.
"
She stood.
"Why are you so sure I'll even say yes?"
"Because you won't run from something that scares you.
"
The words hit deeper than she expected.
She grabbed her bag.
"I'll call you tomorrow.
"
"You'll come here,
" he corrected.
She rolled her eyes.
"You're impossible.
"
"And you're still here.
"
That annoyed her even more.
She turned to leave.
Her phone vibrated.
She froze.
Unknown number.
She opened it.
A message.
He thinks he's in control. He isn't.
Her stomach tightened.
Another message.
A photo.
Through glass. Outside.
Ethan behind her..
Her breathing slowed.
Someone was watching.
Inside.
She looked at the glass wall.
City lights. Dark windows.
"What is it?"
She showed him.
His expression hardened.
"They're escalating.
"
"They're close.
""Still want twenty-four hours?"
"Yes.
"
"Then survive them.
"
Her phone buzzed.
Ticking has already started.
A red light blinked. Then vanished.