It had been a year since her father's company went under due to bankruptcy, and Grayson knight, the ruthless billionaire, immediately took advantage of the situation and bought out her family's assets, leaving them in ruin. Her father used to be such a proud man; now he sat silent, day after day, and her mother cried herself to sleep every night. The memory of those nights, when Sophie vowed to make Grayson pay, toughened her heart.
Today was her first day.
She took one deep breath and passed through the revolving doors. The inside air was sharp, with a hint of leather and varnished wood. The lobby buzzed around her in a muddle of power suits, high heels, and suppressed conversations. Sophie buttoned on her jacket, but from outside, nobody could imagine the tempest inside.
She turned to find a man approaching her. He was tall, with sandy hair and a warm, easy smile. His navy-blue suit was perfectly tailored, and his presence exuded confidence.
"I'm Ethan Hayes," he said, extending a hand. "Grayson's business partner."
Sophie hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking his hand. His grip was firm but friendly.
"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Hayes," she said with a practiced smile.
Ethan, please," he returned. "I'll show you to your new office."
As they walked through pristine hallways, Sophie threw a peek around. Everything from Knight Enterprises screamed success: glass-walled offices, modern decoration, the feel of silent dominance.
"Grayson is. choosy as to whom he deals with," Ethan commented, eyeing her sideward. "But I'm sure you will make do. He respects competence more than anything.
Sophie's lips twitched. Competence wasn't the only thing she brought to the table. She had studied every move Grayson made, every deal he closed, and every misstep he avoided. She had prepared for this moment for months.
They stopped outside a corner office with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Ethan gestured toward the desk inside.
"This is your workspace," he said. "Grayson's office is just next door."
Sophie entered the room, her heels clicking on the polished floor. The view was breathtaking, but she barely registered it. Her focus was on the door Ethan had just pointed out. Beyond it was the man she had sworn to destroy.
Footfalls announced his approach, and Sophie swung around just as the door opened. Grayson Knight strode in, taking immediate possession of the available space. He was larger than she had envisioned; an exquisitely cut charcoal suit seemed molded onto him, dark hair combed back with an accuracy that left no strand misplaced, and gray eyes flashing with intensity as they bored into hers.
For what felt like a minute, Sophie held her breath.
"You must be the new assistant," he said, his voice smooth and commanding.
She straightened her shoulders, meeting his gaze with steady resolve. "Sophie Alden. It's an honor to join Knight Enterprises."
Grayson's eyes narrowed slightly, as if assessing her. "We'll see if you live up to the expectations."
The subtle challenge in his tone only fanned the fire in her determination.
"I intend to exceed them," she replied firmly.
A flicker of amusement crossed his face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. Without another word, he turned and disappeared into his office, the door clicking shut behind him.
Ethan let out a low whistle. "Well, you handled that better than most. Grayson isn't known for his warmth."
Sophie forced a smile, her heart still racing from the encounter. "I'll take that as a compliment.
As Ethan left her to settle in, Sophie sank into the leather chair at her desk. She stared at the door separating her from Grayson, her mind racing with possibilities.
This was it. She was inside the lion's den, and her plan was in motion. She would gain his trust, get close to him, and find the proof she needed to expose him for the monster he was.
But the more she replayed their short interaction in her head, a shred of doubt somehow materialized. Grayson Knight wasn't at all the monster she had visualized in her imagination.
The thought sent Sophie shaking her head to discard the preying thoughts in her mind. It didn't matter, for Grayson Knight was a man who had brought devastation into her life, and she was sure she'd get back at him no matter what his charm was.
Her mind steeled, Sophie wheeled toward her computer, ready to embark on the first step in her plan. This battle was far from over, and she was determined to come out on top.