Aria's heartbeat slowed as the man approached her through the crowd.
He was tall, wearing a navy suit and a polite but unreadable expression. When he stopped in front of her, he gave a slight nod.
"Miss Bennett?"
Aria's stomach tightened.
How does he know my name?
She forced a calm smile. "Yes?"
"Mr. Knight would like to speak with you."
For a brief second, the noise of the party faded from her ears.
Alexander Knight… wanted to speak to her?
That was impossible. She had only arrived a few minutes ago. Her entire plan had been to quietly blend into the crowd and observe him before making any move.
Yet somehow, the most powerful man in the city had already noticed her.
Aria straightened her shoulders.
"Lead the way."
The man guided her across the room. Conversations continued around them—soft laughter, the clinking of glasses, whispers of powerful deals being made.
But Aria barely heard any of it.
Her eyes were fixed on the man waiting near the glass wall.
Alexander Knight.
Up close, he looked even more intimidating. His presence alone seemed to command the entire room.
Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark hair slightly falling over his forehead. His suit fit him perfectly, like it had been designed specifically for him.
But it was his eyes that caught her attention.
Sharp.
Observant.
Dangerous.
They studied her as she approached, like he was already analyzing every move she made.
The assistant stopped beside him.
"Mr. Knight. Miss Bennett."
Alexander didn't look away from her.
"You may go," he told the assistant.
The man nodded and walked off, leaving the two of them standing alone near the massive glass window overlooking the glowing city.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Alexander slowly took a sip from his glass.
"You're new here."
His voice was deep and calm, yet there was something commanding about it.
Aria tilted her head slightly. "Is it that obvious?"
"I know everyone who attends my events."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"And you are not one of them."
Aria held his gaze.
"Maybe you should expand your guest list."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
Interesting.
Most people were nervous around him. She wasn't.
Alexander set his glass down on the table beside him.
"Aria Bennett," he said slowly.
"Graduate in business strategy. Former intern at Hamilton & Cross. Recently hired as a junior analyst… at Knight Global."
Aria's breath caught for the smallest fraction of a second.
He knew everything.
But she didn't let it show.
"You've done your research," she replied calmly.
Alexander stepped closer.
Not too close.
But close enough for her to feel the intensity of his presence.
"I always research people who suddenly appear in my company."
His gaze dropped briefly to the invitation card still in her hand.
"And especially people who attend my private gala on their first week."
Aria crossed her arms slightly.
"Should I be flattered… or worried?"
Alexander's eyes darkened with amusement.
"That depends."
He leaned slightly against the glass wall, studying her again.
"Tell me something, Miss Bennett."
His voice lowered just enough to make the moment feel more intimate.
"Why would someone with your background apply to work at my company?"
For a moment, Aria felt the weight of the question.
Because your company destroyed my father.
Because I spent five years planning to ruin you.
But instead, she smiled.
"Ambition."
Alexander watched her silently.
Seconds passed.
Then he chuckled softly.
"Ambition."
He picked up his glass again.
"Good answer."
Aria relaxed slightly.
Maybe she had passed the test.
But then Alexander added quietly—
"Though I have a feeling that's not the real reason."
Her heart skipped.
His eyes locked onto hers again.
"And I'm very interested in discovering what it is."
For the first time that night, Aria felt something she hadn't expected.
Danger.
Because the closer she stood to Alexander Knight…
…the more she realized something terrifying.
Destroying him might be much harder than she thought.
And even worse—
A small part of her was beginning to wonder if he was already playing a game of his own.