Cassandra’s POVI stared at the words for a moment, my pulse quickening. I felt a strange mix of nerves and excitement stir in my chest.I took a deep breath and gave myself one last glance in the mirror. “You’ve got this,” I whispered to myself. No matter what happened tonight, I was ready.I made my way down the stairs, my heart pounding as I approached the door. But when I saw him standing there, my steps faltered for a moment. Killian looked nothing like the man I was used to. He was wearing a perfectly tailored business coat, and his presence seemed to demand attention. His charisma radiated off him, stronger than I had ever felt before. It was as if he had stepped into a whole new version of himself, one I hadn’t seen until now.He turned toward me, his eyes locking onto mine. “God, you look as beautiful as ever,” he murmured, his voice low, filled with admiration. I felt a warmth spread through me at his words, but it was more than just a compliment—it felt genuine, like he tru
Cassandra’s POVEveryone… they were all so foreign to me. Their polished appearances, the way they moved and spoke—it all screamed wealth and status. It wasn’t just the designer clothing or the champagne glasses they held; it was in the way they carried themselves, as though they owned the world. I felt like a misplaced puzzle piece, too dull to fit into their gilded picture.The way they toasted champagne and seamlessly discussed mergers and investments left me in a haze of inadequacy. What could I possibly contribute to this? That I was a secretary for the biggest company in New York City, and their son—Killian—was out of his mind for dragging me into this?I glanced at him as he walked confidently beside me, his every move exuding a natural charisma that seemed to command respect from everyone around us. He greeted people effortlessly, exchanging names and smiles with men in tailored suits and women adorned in glittering jewelry. I didn’t recognize a single face. These weren’t peop
Cassandra’s POV“Who did you come with tonight?” Killian’s voice cut through the tension, his tone light but his words sharp enough to provoke. “Have you finally found yourself someone worth bringing to an event, or are you… lonely?”The corner of Killian’s mouth twitched, hinting at an inside joke I wasn’t privy to. From the way Nathaniel’s lips curled into a smirk, it was clear this wasn’t their first verbal sparring match.Nathaniel chuckled, a low sound that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Lonely? Hardly.” He lifted his glass lazily, taking a sip as his eyes flicked to me, lingering just a second too long. “But no, I didn’t come with anyone. I can’t seem to find someone who compares to the beauty of the woman you brought tonight. Quite the catch, isn’t she?”His gaze felt like a spotlight, making my skin prickle uncomfortably. I gripped Killian’s hand tighter, hoping he didn’t notice.“Is that so?” Killian replied smoothly, a teasing edge in his voice. “Well, don’t worry. You’ll gro
Cassandra Reed’s POV“You cannot apply for a loan, Miss Cassandra.” The tenant in the money lending agency said. He seemed frustrated with my case and the way he said those words was filled with irritation. “What? Why can’t I?” I asked, for the tenth time on this day. “You see, we cannot lend any money to anyone. You must have a high-paying job running for at least three months.” He explained further. It just made me feel more stressed out. “Otherwise, we know you might be able to pay us.”“I am about to lose my apartment,” I whispered. I cannot believe that they refuse to help a woman in distress right now. Isn’t the purpose of money lending to help people in need of finances? So why are they rejecting my plea? “I am sorry, ma’am. You may come back once you find a job. That way, we can help you and discuss what you should do.” He said. It is just utterly unbelievable how he never even considered it. “Are you seriously rejecting me now, are you?” I sighed. I can’t even use my face
Cassandra’s POVTaking a deep breath, I smoothed down my only professional outfit, a modest black dress that had seen better days, and stepped inside. The lobby was bustling with activity, and employees were moving with purpose. I approached the receptionist, a poised woman who looked at me with mild curiosity."I'm here to see Mr. Sinclair," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "He asked me to come in for a job interview."She raised an eyebrow but nodded, checking her computer. "Your name, please?""Cassandra Reed.""Ah, yes," she said, her tone shifting to one of respect. "Mr. Sinclair is expecting you. Take the elevator to the top floor."I thanked her and made my way to the elevators, feeling the weighted moments. As the elevator ascended, I took a few deep breaths, reminding myself to stay calm and composed.When the doors opened, I stepped into a spacious, elegantly decorated office. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city. A sleek desk sat in the ce
Cassandra’s POVThe next morning, I dragged myself out of bed well before sunrise, my body protesting every movement. The clock on my nightstand mocked me with its glowing digits—5:00 a.m. I had barely slept, my mind still buzzing with the events of the previous day.Despite my exhaustion, I forced myself into the shower and dressed in record time. By 5:45 a.m., I was standing outside Sinclair Co.'s building, clutching a steaming cup of coffee for myself this time. I just wish I would not spill the coffee on strangers again.The city was just beginning to wake up, the streets still quiet compared to the chaos that would soon ensue.I took a deep breath and stepped inside, the familiar rush of adrenaline pushing me forward. As I rode the elevator to the 180th floor, I mentally prepared myself for whatever Nathaniel had in store for me that day. The doors opened with a soft ding, and I walked down the familiar corridor to his office.Nathaniel was already there, seated behind his desk,
Cassandra’s POV"Cassandra!"Startled, I jolted awake to find a woman standing beside me, her expression a mix of concern and disapproval. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her sharp eyes bore into mine with unwavering intensity.I found myself seated and leaning on my desk, poring over a stack of reports. The soft hum of the office around me was strangely soothing, lulling me into a false sense of security."You can't sleep here," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument."I-I'm sorry," I stammered, shaken from being abruptly awakened. "I didn't mean to..."The woman sighed, her demeanor softening slightly. "I understand it's tough, but sleeping on the job is strictly forbidden here at Sinclair Co. My name is Kate, by the way. I'm in charge of administrative oversight."I nodded, feeling a flush of embarrassment heat my cheeks. "I'm sorry, Kate. It won't happen again."She studied me for a moment before speaking again, her voice lowering to a confide
Cassandra’s POVAwe… why is it so cold here? “Is this your first time?” Nathaniel asked as he kept on reading his newspaper without giving a single glance at me. He is not bothered by how intense the cold wind is or how I am constantly blowing air from my mouth to keep my hands warm. I guess he is used to traveling to the point that airports don’t give him a sore body. I refused to answer him. Packing the things he shopped for me was a problem in the first place and now, he asked me to come as early as I could so we could waste our time together. Oh hell no.“Have you booked our room now?” He asked. “Yes.” I could not even lengthen the conversation because if I talked again, I would freeze to death.When the plane ticket we got was finally called, I got up and dragged the things he asked me to bring. The suitcase was heavy since all my things were inside. In addition, I carried so much paperwork that it was undoubtedly hard to move. “Hurry up or the plane will fly without us.” He
Cassandra’s POV“Who did you come with tonight?” Killian’s voice cut through the tension, his tone light but his words sharp enough to provoke. “Have you finally found yourself someone worth bringing to an event, or are you… lonely?”The corner of Killian’s mouth twitched, hinting at an inside joke I wasn’t privy to. From the way Nathaniel’s lips curled into a smirk, it was clear this wasn’t their first verbal sparring match.Nathaniel chuckled, a low sound that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Lonely? Hardly.” He lifted his glass lazily, taking a sip as his eyes flicked to me, lingering just a second too long. “But no, I didn’t come with anyone. I can’t seem to find someone who compares to the beauty of the woman you brought tonight. Quite the catch, isn’t she?”His gaze felt like a spotlight, making my skin prickle uncomfortably. I gripped Killian’s hand tighter, hoping he didn’t notice.“Is that so?” Killian replied smoothly, a teasing edge in his voice. “Well, don’t worry. You’ll gro
Cassandra’s POVEveryone… they were all so foreign to me. Their polished appearances, the way they moved and spoke—it all screamed wealth and status. It wasn’t just the designer clothing or the champagne glasses they held; it was in the way they carried themselves, as though they owned the world. I felt like a misplaced puzzle piece, too dull to fit into their gilded picture.The way they toasted champagne and seamlessly discussed mergers and investments left me in a haze of inadequacy. What could I possibly contribute to this? That I was a secretary for the biggest company in New York City, and their son—Killian—was out of his mind for dragging me into this?I glanced at him as he walked confidently beside me, his every move exuding a natural charisma that seemed to command respect from everyone around us. He greeted people effortlessly, exchanging names and smiles with men in tailored suits and women adorned in glittering jewelry. I didn’t recognize a single face. These weren’t peop
Cassandra’s POVI stared at the words for a moment, my pulse quickening. I felt a strange mix of nerves and excitement stir in my chest.I took a deep breath and gave myself one last glance in the mirror. “You’ve got this,” I whispered to myself. No matter what happened tonight, I was ready.I made my way down the stairs, my heart pounding as I approached the door. But when I saw him standing there, my steps faltered for a moment. Killian looked nothing like the man I was used to. He was wearing a perfectly tailored business coat, and his presence seemed to demand attention. His charisma radiated off him, stronger than I had ever felt before. It was as if he had stepped into a whole new version of himself, one I hadn’t seen until now.He turned toward me, his eyes locking onto mine. “God, you look as beautiful as ever,” he murmured, his voice low, filled with admiration. I felt a warmth spread through me at his words, but it was more than just a compliment—it felt genuine, like he tru
Cassandra’s POV“Did you see the dress I bought you?” Killian’s deep, composed voice came through the phone, laced with a touch of anticipation. “I had it sent over by the maids earlier.”I glanced at the dress draped across my bed, its shimmering fabric catching the light. Still wrapped in my bathrobe, I hesitated, my fingers lightly brushing the intricate details of the gown. It was breathtaking—sleek and elegant, with crisscross straps that dipped daringly low in the back. The kind of dress that belonged in glamorous magazines or on red carpets, not in my modest world.“Yes, I see it,” I replied softly, biting my lip.“And?” he prompted.“It’s… stunning,” I admitted, my voice trailing off. “But do I really have to wear something like this? I’ve never worn anything so beautiful before. Honestly, I’m scared I won’t do it justice.”A short pause lingered on the other end of the line before he responded, his tone firmer now. “Of course you should wear it. I chose it for you, Cassandra,
Cassandra’s POV“Is this final?” one of the stakeholders asked, disbelief etched across his face. “You’re giving up your shares just like that? It’s not every day someone walks away from such a lucrative position.”Killian chuckled, his voice laced with ease, though I could sense the deeper intention behind his words. “Yes, it’s final. I’ve decided it’s time to focus entirely on my hospitals. I’ve enjoyed my time here, but personal priorities come first.” He leaned back slightly, his casual demeanor diffusing some of the tension in the room. “Besides, I’m sure whoever takes my place will find it just as rewarding.”The room erupted into laughter at his lighthearted tone, but I couldn’t shake the unease building inside me. Was he really doing this for himself, or... for me?A man seated across the table leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. “If that’s the case, Nathaniel, I’d like to discuss the terms with you later. I may be interested in purchasing those shares.”Nathaniel gav
Cassandra’s POVShouldn’t I be mad? Maybe I should just block his number and end this madness. My phone wouldn’t stop ringing—it had been going off for three hours straight. Three. Hours.“This is so frustrating!” I muttered, pacing back and forth.Kate, sitting across the small break corner we’d claimed as our own, raised her voice, her tone laced with impatience. “Just answer it, girl!”I turned to face her, my phone still vibrating in my hand. “No way! I told you, I’m not breaking up with him just because of some stupid company rule, but that doesn’t mean I want to talk to him right now!”Kate threw her hands in the air dramatically. “So let me get this straight. You’ve decided to defy the almighty boss and keep seeing Killian, but now you’re ignoring him? Make it make sense, Cassie!”I groaned, throwing myself into the chair next to her. “It’s not that simple! If I answer, he’s just going to tease me, and I’ll lose my mind. I can’t deal with that right now.”Kate leaned in, her cu
As I returned to my desk, I caught Kate stealing glances at me, her curiosity practically radiating from across the room. The moment I sat down, she leaned closer, her eyes narrowing as if she could extract the truth by sheer willpower.“So?” she asked, barely able to contain herself. “Did you finally fact-check if those rumors about you and Mr. Killian have any merit?” I froze for a moment, then sighed. Of course, she wouldn’t hold back. Kate was relentless when it came to office gossip. John, sitting a few desks away, swiveled his chair around to face me. His expression was calm, but his raised eyebrow betrayed his interest. They hadn’t even pretended to work while I was gone. Clearly, they’d been waiting for me to return with something juicy to share. “Well,” I began, keeping my tone neutral, “apparently, the boss just wanted to have some tea and figured he needed me to pour it for him. That’s all. Nothing much happened.” Kate’s face immediately fell into an exaggerated pou
Cassandra’s POV“So…” Nathaniel’s voice lingered in the air, laced with a mockery that made my skin crawl. “Did you like my new rules? Are they everything you’ve ever wanted?” He asked, his lips curling into a faint smirk.I sat stiffly on the couch in his office, feeling like I was being forced to participate in a game I didn’t sign up for. He’d summoned me here under the pretense of a casual tea, but everyone in the office knew there was nothing casual about Nathaniel Sinclair. Especially not when it came to me.Ms. Clarinet had practically shoved me out of my chair, whispering, “You don’t have a choice,” after Nathaniel made his announcement over the office speakers. Now, here I was, stuck across from him, his eyes piercing through me as though he could see every thought I was trying to bury.The silence between us was unbearable, broken only by the soft clink of porcelain as I reluctantly poured tea into his empty cup. He watched me with an almost predatory interest, his gaze stea
Cassandra’s POV“I believe,” he said, his voice low but steady, “that prohibiting any form of romantic relationship at Sinclair Co. is the best course of action. No one will be allowed to have a girlfriend or boyfriend here—except those who are already married.” He let that sink in, the weight of his words heavy in the air. “The reason for this is simple—some of you are losing focus on your work, and I find such relationships to be nothing more than distractions.”I blinked, the world around me suddenly feeling like it was closing in. He was looking at me as he said those words. His eyes met mine, cold and calculating, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. Was he directing this rule at me? Had he really gone so far as to make a public decree because of my situation?I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the heat that rose to my cheeks, the way my pulse quickened in my throat. Was he calling me out in front of everyone? I knew my relationship with Killian was becoming more noticeable, but