ng with a mix of nerves and excitement. It was her first day at Blackwood Enterprises, and despite the

nergy. Taking a deep breath, she introduced herself to a few colleagues, earning polite but distr

her. Emily turned to see Rachel Parker, the se

get my bearings,

cts the best," Rachel said, her tone slightly

ell over the office as Alexander Blackwood strode in, his presence commanding attention without a sing

ened, but she forced herself to maintain eye contact, refusing to be intimidated. A hint of cur

s the boss. Rare to see him up here pers

, her thoughts raced. Had he noticed her

. Blackwood himself-summoning her to his office. Emily's hands trembled slightly

with dark wood and floor-to-ceiling windows-Alex

Emily managed to say, her voi

. "Miss Carter. I wanted to welcome you pe

kwood. I'm grateful

r something in her expression. "Gratit

meeting his challenging stare.

lmost as if her confidence intrig

ad returned to her desk. She couldn't deny the thrill that had sparked within her, but she remind

e was testing her? And why did the thought of facing his c