chapter 1

The grand office building of Evergreen Corporations was a beacon of modern architecture, towering over the city with its sleek, reflective glass panels. Inside, the hum of ambition buzzed through the air. Employees in tailored suits walked briskly, heels clicking against the pristine marble floors, each one driven by the promise of success—or the fear of failure.

Among them was Sophia Allen, a determined young woman with fiery auburn hair and sharp green eyes. She had clawed her way from a modest background to land a coveted position at Evergreen, one of the most prestigious companies in the city. Today was her first day, and she was determined to make an impression—not just as a competent employee, but as someone who could hold her own in a corporate jungle.

Sophia adjusted her blazer nervously as she stepped out of the elevator. Her heart raced as she approached the conference room. This was the first hurdle: presenting her ideas to the senior executives. But as she pushed the door open, her confidence faltered.

At the head of the long, polished table sat Damian Westwood, the infamous CEO of Evergreen. His reputation preceded him—a man as ruthless as he was brilliant. Tall and impeccably dressed, Damian exuded authority. His jet-black hair was neatly combed back, and his piercing dark eyes seemed to see through anyone who dared meet his gaze.

“Miss Allen,” Damian said coolly, his voice cutting through the hum of conversation like a blade. “You’re late.”

Sophia blinked, glancing at her watch. “I’m sorry, Mr. Westwood, but I believe the meeting starts at 9:00. It’s—”

“It starts when I say it does,” Damian interrupted, his tone low and steely. The room fell silent, the tension palpable.

Sophia clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stay calm. She wouldn’t let his arrogance rattle her—not on her first day. “I understand. It won’t happen again.”

The meeting began, and Sophia quickly realized Damian wasn’t just critical—he was relentless. Every idea she presented was met with a dismissive remark or a pointed question designed to undermine her confidence.

“Miss Allen,” he said at one point, his tone dripping with condescension, “do you genuinely believe this approach will work? Or are you just here to impress us with vague optimism?”

Sophia felt her cheeks flush, but she held her ground. “With all due respect, Mr. Westwood, I’ve done extensive research. I believe this approach addresses the problem effectively, and I’m prepared to back it up with data.”

A murmur of approval rippled through the room, but Damian’s expression remained unreadable. He leaned back in his chair, studying her with a look that was equal parts irritation and curiosity.

By the end of the meeting, Sophia was drained. As the others filed out, Damian called her back.

“Miss Allen,” he said, his voice as cold as ever. “Stay a moment.”

Sophia braced herself, her heart pounding.

Damian waited until the door closed before speaking. “You might have been the top candidate on paper, but this is the real world. Confidence alone won’t get you far here. If you want to succeed, you’ll need to prove that you can handle the pressure.”

Sophia squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze. “With all due respect, Mr. Westwood, I’ve faced challenges far greater than this. I earned my place here, and I don’t need anyone’s approval to know my worth.”

For a moment, Damian seemed taken aback. He hadn’t expected such defiance. Most people cowered under his scrutiny, but this woman… she was different.

“Is that so?” he said finally, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “We’ll see how long that confidence lasts.”

As Sophia left the room, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of frustration and determination. Damian Westwood might be powerful, but she wasn’t about to let him intimidate her.

Unbeknownst to her, Damian watched her leave, his expression unreadable. Something about Sophia had unsettled him—not just her audacity, but the fire in her eyes. She reminded him of someone from his past, someone who had once challenged him in ways he didn’t want to remember.

Sophia, on the other hand, was unaware of the storm she had just walked into. She thought Damian’s disdain was merely a reflection of his arrogance, but the truth was far more complicated. Behind his cold exterior lay scars from a past he had spent years trying to forget—scars that made him distrust anyone who dared to challenge him.

As the days turned into weeks, their clashes became a regular occurrence. Sophia’s boldness continued to irritate Damian, but it also began to intrigue him in ways he couldn’t explain. Neither of them realized it yet, but their lives were on a collision course, and nothing would ever be the same.

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