of brewed coffee and polished wood greeting her like a routine alarm. She'd bee

nd marched toward the restaurant manager's cabin for an import

ting every corner of his kingdom, every employee on his payroll. He wasn't just meeting the staff-he was evaluating them.

mpress the new boss-or you're out. Worse, if he black

ly twisting the hem of her sleeve. She was a senior waitress now-once a cleaner, promo

igger fis

en. But life hadn't exactly played fair. Her plans for a master's degree got derailed, and she h

lose this job now. Not

She turned to face him. His wrinkled face and kind eyes had

. I'm retiring soon, and if things go well... maybe you can

ded. "I'll give it eve

synchronized footfalls. Tap-tap-tap. A swarm of sleek suits and sunglasses swirled into view. The man lead

ething about the way he walked-so confid

nager barked, "New boss wants to see the res

ng her team. The soup was simmering, her dish was ready, and she

is Raspberry Bavarois with sorbet to Room 4306. I

tight. She was supposed to

look. "C'mon. You'll make

service, and the other was packed to the brim with staff and chaos. Then she spotted a guy who had just acces

i

ct ti

ential elevator-and froze as thou

lack trousers and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, his forearms flexed as he scrolled through his phone. His dark ha

her breath catch-it was the energy he

is phone, clearly ex

ped short, his eyes narrowi

ace. He noticed the smudge on her lip before she did, and a sl

is is the professionalism Grand Hayat stands by?" He gestured lazil

limpse of her reflection in the elevator's polished walls. A tiny sm

are. He had alr

do the fact you were clearly sampling food meant for the

d with fury. Her hands cur

g through the silence. "Don't go around throwing

efore serving it to the banquet team. She had tasted it. One quick check. That was

eard, "You're the type who thinks everyone's a th

ve kept her

ng

a countdown. His eyes gleamed with something darker than anger-dominance,

, twisted her right hand behind her back,

back pressing into t

d, voice dangerously low. "So what the he

back down. Even as his grip tightened, she star

ou're some big-shot assistant to the new president, t

lips, his expression shifted. Cold amus

tone mocking. "Sweetheart...

upward. His thumb skimmed dangerously close to her lips, his b

lle st

? In an elevator? After

l.

salvation-the glowing digital display above the doors showe

she shifted her weight, lifted her heel, and slammed it down hard on his foo

ck with a sharp intake of breath, clutch

pen with a soft ding, as if the unive

didn't l

in her chest, leaving behind a stunned and lim

a trail of smoke behind her. She delivered the dessert tray to Roo

the staff was already lining up, preparin

ioned for her t

ootsteps muffled against the plush carpet. Everyone was already

here

dressed in a tailored black suit, cufflinks gleaming under the crystal chandelier. Executi

rd Ba

new

-step. Her lungs fo

Crap

her face. Please, God, let h

anic from her face, and plastered on a tight, professional smile. She

first executive. Then the second. Her eyes

man beside him.

rward to serve her-j

had oth

on the edge of t

on, she stum

d tilted. The steam

ectly in Richa

e room fe

d from acro

olden liquid soak into his charcoal slacks. A faint his

to hers-fiery, furi

s were

still in hand, legs locked

so d