Chapter 12 – The First Day Under His Control

Lyra had made a mistake.

She should have refused. Should have walked away.

But instead, she had let Ethan Vaughn corner her into his world.

And now, she was standing inside Vaughn Industries, an identification badge clipped to her blazer, with security clearance that made her skin crawl.

She had officially become his personal intern.

But this wasn’t a job.

It was a cage.

The corporate headquarters was a fortress—sleek, futuristic, and built like a kingdom meant for one ruler.

Employees walked past her, glancing her way with curiosity and caution.

Because she wasn’t just an intern.

She was his intern.

And that made her a target.

"Miss Xian?"

She turned to find a well-dressed assistant eyeing her politely.

"Mr. Vaughn is expecting you."

Of course, he was.

Lyra straightened her shoulders and followed, keeping her expression cool and unreadable.

But inside?

Her mind was already racing.

Ethan Vaughn’s office was exactly what she expected—a palace in the sky.

Floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Minimalist black furniture. A panoramic view of the city.

And in the center of it all, behind a massive desk, sat him.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his dark gaze settling on her the moment she stepped inside.

"Welcome, Miss Xian."

Lyra kept her face neutral. "Let’s skip the pleasantries. What do you want from me?"

His smirk widened slightly. "Straight to the point. I like that."

He stood and walked toward her, his presence towering, commanding.

Lyra held her ground.

Ethan stopped just a little too close.

"Your job is simple," he murmured. "Watch. Learn. Follow my orders."

A pause.

Then, he leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her ear.

"And don’t try to play games with me, Lyra."

Her heartbeat spiked.

But she refused to show it.

Instead, she tilted her head, mocking amusement in her eyes.

"That’s funny," she said smoothly. "Because I was about to say the same thing to you."

Ethan chuckled, low and dark.

"Careful, Miss Xian."

His fingers lightly grazed the edge of her badge, almost lazily.

"You’re in my world now."

Lyra’s lips curved into a smirk.

"Then let’s see if I burn it down."

Their gazes locked.

A silent war ignited between them.

And for the first time, Lyra realized—

She might not survive this game.

But she would damn well make sure Ethan Vaughn didn’t either.

The moment Lyra returned home, she powered up her laptop, heart still hammering.

She needed to get ahead of him.

But before she could start her investigation, a familiar notification flashed.

A message.

From Red Phantom.

She clicked it, her pulse tightening.

His words were short.

"You’re inside Vaughn Industries now. That means you have access."

Lyra’s eyes narrowed.

"Access to what?" she typed.

The reply came instantly.

"To the files Ethan Vaughn has on me."

She froze.

Red Phantom—her brother—wanted her to steal from Ethan.

To find out why he had been hunting him.

And she knew, without a doubt—

This was the moment that could destroy everything.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, her mind screaming at the risk.

But in the end?

She only typed one word.

"Understood."

And then, she hit send.

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End of Chapter 12

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