Elara Santos never wanted to work for Lucien Vale, the youngest CEO in Vale International’s history. He was cold, calculated, and terrifyingly brilliant—exactly the kind of man who didn’t believe in love. But when her family’s business crumbled, she had no choice but to accept the personal assistant role he offered, even if it meant dealing with his impossible demands.
Lucien valued efficiency over emotion. Elara, however, challenged him in ways that spreadsheets couldn’t measure. Her optimism irritated him… until it began to anchor him. Their mornings turned from curt exchanges to lingering glances; their meetings became less about mergers and more about the unspoken tension between them.
But just when Elara started to believe she was breaking through his walls, the truth surfaced: Lucien had orchestrated the buyout of her family’s company years ago. The same man she was falling for was the one who had destroyed her family’s dream.
In the silence of the boardroom, they stood on opposite sides of the long polished table—not as CEO and assistant, but as two people whose hearts were at war with their pasts.
Lucien took a step toward her.
“Elara… I can undo the deal. I can give it all back. But I can’t lose you.”
She met his gaze, tears in her eyes.
“Some debts aren’t paid with money, Lucien.”
Whether love could survive in the ruthless world of business was a question only their next move could answer.
The End.
