Lawso

with purpose- employees gliding between desks, hushed conversations spilling from conference rooms, the rhythmic tapping of finger

his empire. No missteps were tolerated. No room for hesitation. Working und

the day. Meetings, reports, strategy sessions-his calendar was relentle

ere his office reigned over the city. His assistant, Emi

ling windows, overlooking his empire. A black suit molded to his frame, crisp and precise. A

're

as clipped, dev

arely contained a smir

assessing. "Thirty seconds is

hing we're not clos

Most people stumbled under his scrutiny, eager to

tched, gone before I could

ng's updates. Stock movements, internal meetings, upcoming

de in, all arrogance and agitation. Mid-forties, dark hair flecked

we need

t flinch. "No

me, assessing, dismissing.

d the air, subtl

is chair, fingers steepl

n't a

ction of a second before striding out. The doors shut b

masking her curiosity.

a strike of lightn

desk, feigning nonchal

she exhaled softly. "The Vaughn f

rprises with an iron grip, yet his own brother s

to work. Nicolas Vaughn's world was cutthroat. I h

s Vaug

of my office, barely con

bout this deal before I

w ticked. "It was

concern? We're talking about a billion-dollar

ack against the desk. "I th

acing. "You always pull this-shutting me ou

wn ever

een us, thick with yea

aking his head. "T

upted him. Aria stepped in

all with Tokyo is

tween us, a smirk curlin

nodded to Aria.

long enough to murmur, "Careful, Ms.

blink. "Nei

his eyes before he di

to me. "Want me

deal doe

turned to leave, something

ced back

rms in here like that, you

flashing behind her hazel eyes. "I t

g exactly what kind of w

a beat longer before s

st time in years, something unexpected stirred in