Stella slowly extended her hand to shake his hand. Liam held her's in a firm grip and squeezed it lightly before letting go. Something flickered in his eyes— something she couldn't quite name, but it made her shiver.
Another man in a suit walked up to him from behind and whispered in Liam's ear. Liam nodded slightly, then turned to Stella and flashed a wink before walking towards the executive office. The four high-ranking executives accompanying him followed closely behind, their matching tailored suits sharp and their expressions stern, but they cast glances in her direction, assessing, curious, as they passed.
When the door closed behind the last person, the office erupted in conversation.
"Do you think he's single?"
"Who was he winking at? Stella?"
"How do they know each other?"
"I can't believe someone had already hooked up with him."
"He looks familiar, like I've seen him around before."
As the hallway buzzed back to life, Vivian stomped toward her with narrowed eyes.
"How do you know him?" she demanded, arms crossed.
Stella didn't hear her, she was still lost in thought.
Her one true friend since she joined King's corporation turned out to be her enemy. Of all the people it could have been, it had to be him. Why did he pretend? There had to be something involved. She had guessed he was connected to a high-ranking staff member or executive, but—
Vivian shoved her sharply, making her stumble. "I'm talking to you. Do you think because you know the president, you are better than me? You are still a nobody."
The push brought Stella back to the present. She looked up and held Vivian's gaze.
"What do you want?"
Vivian sneered. "You– you– you bitch."
She raised her hand to slap Stella, but before it could land, Stella caught it mid-air, holding it in place. The room seemed to quieten, before whispers started flying around.
Vivian struggled to free herself but couldn't.
"Clara!" Vivian shouted, calling for backup.
Clara ran up to them, heels clicking loudly, ready to pounce. Stella calmly stepped to the side and extended a leg, tripping her. Clara stumbled and went down hard with a scream.
Gaps and muffled laughter stirred among the surrounding staff, but no one stepped forward. They stayed where they were, watching the show. Everyone was looking out for themselves, no one wanted to offend either the shareholder's daughter or the person who was friends with the new President.
Stella turned her attention back to Vivian, her voice cold and steady. "Vivian, I have tolerated you to keep the peace in the company. But that doesn't mean I'd let you walk over me."
Vivian's face turned red with anger as she struggled, "Let go. Have you forgotten who I am? Who my father is? Do you think you have a backer now?' Her voice rose with every word.
Stella leaned in and whispered in her ear. "Well, I don't care."
She let go of Vivian's hand, and Vivian, unable to steady herself due to her heels, also fell to the ground.
"Miss Moore."
It was the same man who had whispered in Liam's ear earlier. He walked up to them in measured steps. His gaze travelled from Stella to Vivian and Clara, who were scrambling to get up from the floor. Clara got up first, then helped Vivian to her feet.
"The president asked for you."
A hush fell over the room, and all eyes turned to her. He led her across the room to the previously always closed office door. Just as they stood in front of the door, it opened from inside, and the same four executives from earlier walked out.
"Special assistant John." They called and exchanged handshakes with him.
They also nodded to Stella before walking to the elevator, their eyes never leaving her.
Stella and John entered the outer office, where a desk sat with a computer. This was the main secretary to the president's office, at the far back, a door that held the door sign that read President.
John stepped up and knocked.
A muffled "come in" came from the other side.
John turned to her. "You can go in now."
Stella nodded. He walked out of the office, shutting the door softly behind him.
She smoothed her shirt, taking a deep breath, then stepped forward to open the door.
Stella stared at the man sitting in the office, with piles of documents and open files on the desk. He was different, very different from the sunny, sweet, smiling down to earth man she had been having lunch with in the past few weeks. In his place was a man who was raised to lead. The heir of King's corporation, the very thing she swore to destroy.
"You're here." He said, looking up with a smile as she stepped closer.
The smile looked the same, but Stella didn't feel the same after seeing it. Before, it used to fill her with a sense of peace. He used to be a ray of light in her revenge filled world, but now, it seemed almost mocking.
"Mr. Carson," She greeted with a polite smile plastered on her face.
He stood up and walked around the desk to stand in front of her. "Don't be so formal. Please have a seat."
He pulled out a chair for her.
Stella sat, her posture straight, and stared straight ahead.
"I'm sorry," he said. "For not telling you who I was. There were a lot of things beyond my control. And I had to solve an embezzlement case, so it was best if fewer people knew."
Stella nodded but didn't say anything.
"Are you angry?"
"Of course not. You were just trying to protect your company."
He sighed and rubbed the strap of his wristwatch. "That's not all I wanted to talk about. What do you think about becoming my main secretary?"
Stella's head shot up. This was the chance she needed, a higher position. Though she wouldn't be directly authorized to go to 'Archive room 1', being the main secretary increased her chances. Plus, she would come in contact with more of the company's core operations.
Her gaze held his. "Why me?"
"These past weeks, other than rooting out the traitors, I have also been observing the new hires," he paused. "Most of the old ones are either my grandfather's people or my uncle's."
"Aren't you and your grandfather on the same side?"
Liam shook his head. "He's a businessman, and he likes being in control. If I were to use any of them, I'd just be placing his spies around me."
"So you want to build your own force."
"Exactly, I looked at your resume. Top of the class with a double degree in Business Administration and Finance from a top German university. Fluent in English, French, German, Russian, and Mandarin."
He sat on the desk directly in front of her. "What do you think about becoming the captain of the ship?"
"Because I have good grades?"
"There's that," he said with a soft laugh.
Then leaned closer, their breaths mingling. "And also because I trust you."
Stela's heart rate sped up. She could smell his cologne, subtle and woody. He was too close. Her mind kept screaming enemy, but it felt like she was sinking as she stared into Liam's eyes.
"Eh.. Liam," they both jolted apart as John walked in.
"Am I interrupting something?" John asked with a chuckle. "You guys can continue." He said, taking a step back.
Stella stood up and hurried to the door. "I'll get back to work."
"You didn't say no," Liam said behind her. "So, I'll take it that you agreed."
Stalla paused, not turning around, then stepped out.