proposal. His eyes locked onto Sienna's, cold and

d flatly, leaning back in his chair. "She insists I support you and your c

eling, each syllable dropped l

against her desk, arms crossed. "Mr. Blackwell, do you honestly think I am desperate enou

race to her. Sienna was beauty incarnate, but it was her confidence, her unwa

ut he quickly masked it. "Miss Tillman," he said

stood up, her posture regal and commanding. "You're powerful, yes. Handsome

He was used to people bowing and scraping when his name was mentioned, but this woman, this force o

e, before adding, "But I still want you to meet

n her mind. "Let me guess... You're only here

but his slight tilt of the h

ou've taken over JC International, have

," he said, his voice carrying an air of finality

e lingering in the air. "But don't worry. I'll

the edges of her lips. "Congratulations, Mr.

back to her desk, dismissing him as th

mething about her... something that set her apart from everyone else he'd ever encountered. But the moment passed

t wasn't just the proposal that had rattled her-it was the man himself. His intensity. The cold way

eyes wide with curiosity. "What just happened in there, Sienna

unsettling feeling that lingered. "Nothing. He's

? Because I saw him watching you... li

Office gossip," she muttered, unwilling to ente

s. "Come on, it's flattering

ce hardening. The last thing she wanted was mor

ng. The last thing she needed right now was to get tangled up in the web of

pulse quickening as the phone rang. It felt like a lifetime

he asked, a mix of relief

tly, her throat tight. "I've b

more animated. "When can

ht of unspoken words. "In a few days," she prom

ed, full of warmth. "Go

ng to ease. Returning home meant revisiting the p

oughts. Michael, one of the office assista

r you," he said, pl

ackage warily.

ael teased with

ack the wrapping. Inside was

el explained. "Completely furnished, luxury

er jaw clenching. "Return it,"

taken aback. "You

the finality in her voice

nodding, taking the pac

rhythmically on the desk, an unreadable expression on his

tered the room with the

ned home in high spirits, but the mood shifte

es she want?" Am

s voice soft, filled with the r

ed. "Why now? She's

ling to argue. "Let's

She's always been a thorn in our sid

ed up her phone and d

ck," Amanda

ant?" Vanessa's voice

and legacy," Amanda said bitte

. "We got rid of her on

ar more dangerous than either of them anticipated. A storm w