8. Devil Turned Angel

~Sienna~

As Lucas disappeared into the elevator, Director Aiden’s sneering voice cut through the lingering silence.

“Miss Wilde, you’re not off the hook. We’ll be discussing this...engagement stunt of yours after the meeting.”

The bite in his words stung, but I swallowed back the irritation bubbling up, forcing myself to stay composed. My cheeks still burned from Lucas’s mocking congratulations.

I joined the rest of the team as we stepped into the elevator, heading up to the fifth-floor conference room. Violet sidled up to me, eyes bright with curiosity.

“Spill. Who was it?” she whispered, her grin as eager as a kid sneaking candy.

I shook my head, forcing a smile. “Later, Vi,” I mumbled, trying to avoid the inevitable tidal wave of questions I’d stirred up with my careless slip.

The elevator doors opened, and we filed out toward the glass-walled conference room. As I stepped inside, my breath caught; Lucas was already there, seated at the head of the long, polished table, with Derrick standing dutifully by his side.

Lucas didn’t spare me a glance, his face impassive as he scrolled through some notes, but even from here, I could tell he looked more striking than ever. Somehow, he always managed to look both sharp and effortlessly composed, with a subtle, commanding energy that drew every eye in the room.

As the team settled around the table, Lucas finally looked up, his gaze as cold as ever.

“All right, let’s see the project,” he said. “Pierce Corporation will be here in a few minutes, and I want to review everything beforehand.”

Aiden didn’t hesitate, plugging in the laptop and connecting the project to the projector. Everyone fell silent as the presentation flashed onto the screen. Lucas’s gaze shifted to the screen, his fingers idly twirling a silver pen as he examined the designs in silence, his face unreadable.

I couldn’t shake the flutter of nerves that rose as his eyes flicked over the images I’d spent hours perfecting. Aiden’s gaze snapped to me, and a slow, angry smirk crept across his face, making my stomach churn with dread.

“So,” Lucas said, his voice low and cool. “Who came up with this concept?”

Before I could respond, Aiden’s cold glare settled on me like a dagger.

“Miss Wilde did,” he sneered, and I felt my heart skip a beat.

Without missing a beat, he turned to me, his voice sharp and cutting. “Miss Wilde, didn’t you claim you’d brainstormed some ‘brilliant new concept’? So what is this?” He gestured toward the screen, a mocking tilt to his lips.

“Is there anything else you’re good at besides flaunting that fake diamond ring around and getting engaged to whoever the unlucky guy is? Because I bet you won’t do a great job of that either.”

The words hit me like a slap. I could feel my face heating up as tears pricked the corners of my eyes, but I bit down on my lip, forcing myself not to show any more weakness in front of him.

Around the table, I noticed the team shifting uncomfortably, eyes flicking between me and Aiden, their shock at his outburst evident. It was clear he’d been waiting for the perfect moment to humiliate me.

For a moment, the room was silent. Lucas’s gaze darted between me and Aiden, his expression unreadable, but his eyes held an edge of something intense, something almost dangerous. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm, even – but there was a chill to it that made everyone tense.

“Mr. Aiden Blackwell,” Lucas said, his voice as cold as steel, “you’re fired.”

The silence that followed was absolute. Aiden’s face drained of color as he stared at Lucas, his eyes wide with disbelief.

“Wh-what?” Aiden stammered, his voice breaking as he stared, horrified. “President Jones, you can’t—she was the one who—”

“Enough,” Lucas cut him off with a dismissive wave of his hand, his tone bored. “You’re unprofessional, and you have zero respect for your team. I don’t tolerate that here. If there’s any critique for Miss Wilde’s work, that’s for me to handle, not you. You’re in no position to insult her.”

I was stunned, my mouth hanging open in shock as I looked at Lucas. His words weren’t just protective—they were almost… possessive. For a moment, I could only stare, trying to process what had just happened.

Aiden’s face twisted with desperation. “But… but, President Jones—” he tried, his voice shaking.

“I said enough,” Lucas snapped, his tone brooking no argument. He straightened in his seat, eyes flicking toward the door. “Get out.”

The realization hit me like a wave—this wasn’t a bluff. Aiden was really, truly fired. I saw him glance around the room, his face a mask of shock and rage, but he seemed to realize he had no choice. He stood, straightening his suit jacket with trembling hands, his glare directed at me for a moment before he turned toward the door.

But then Lucas’s voice broke the silence, sharp and commanding. “Hold on, Aiden.”

Aiden froze, turning back to Lucas, the last flicker of hope clinging to his expression.

“I’ll give you an opportunity,” Lucas continued, standing and walking to the projector, his fingers tracing over the images on the screen.

“Miss Wilde’s design is new, it’s complex, but it’s innovative,” he said, his voice filled with a note of rare approval.

I felt my cheeks flush, my heart skipping a beat at his words. He… liked my work?

Lucas’s gaze remained on the screen as he continued. “I think her work is exactly what we should present to Pierce Corporation.”

A soft round of applause erupted around the table, and I found myself straightening in my seat, a small smile spreading across my face. For the first time since yesterday, I felt a glimmer of pride, my heart pounding as Lucas’s gaze met mine, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

He turned back to Aiden, who looked even more horrified, if that was possible. “Now, here’s your opportunity,” Lucas said coolly, crossing his arms.

“Miss Wilde will present to Pierce Corporation today instead of you. Since you seem so convinced of her incompetence, let’s test that theory.”

I couldn’t help the swell of confidence that rose within me as his words sank in. He believed in me, trusted me to take on this presentation. The challenge was as exhilarating as it was terrifying.

Lucas turned his intense gaze toward me, a question in his eyes. “Miss Wilde, are you bold enough to take on this presentation?”

Every pair of eyes in the room landed on me, but I kept my focus on Lucas, feeling a surge of determination. I wouldn’t let him down. I could do this.

“Yes, President Jones,” I said, rising to my feet. “I can do it, and I won’t disappoint you.”

Lucas gave a single nod, satisfied, and turned back to Aiden, whose face was pale with sweat.

”If she flops, you stay. But if she does a great job and Pierce Corporation seals the deal, you're fired!"