UNRAVELING

Ethan Wen prided himself on control.

But control was slipping through his fingers like sand.

Noah Reid had been working for him for nearly a year. In that time, Ethan had never once given him a second thought.

Yet now—

Now, Noah was in his head.

Every word. Every look. Every challenge.

Ethan should have ignored it. He should have shut it down.

Instead, he found himself drawn in.

And that was dangerous.

Because Ethan Wen didn’t lose control.

He never had.

And he wasn’t about to start now.

Tuesday – 8:45 AM – CEO’s Office

Ethan arrived earlier than usual, hoping for a moment of silence before the day began.

He should have known better.

The moment he stepped into his office, Noah was already there—setting papers on his desk, adjusting the blinds, and looking completely at ease.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. “Do you ever sleep?”

Noah glanced up, a smirk playing on his lips. “I could ask you the same thing, sir.”

Ethan scowled. “Don’t push me, Reid.”

Noah tilted his head, unfazed. “That’s literally my job.”

Ethan inhaled sharply, forcing himself to sit down. “What do you want?”

Noah handed him a file. “HR sent over the proposed Employee Recognition framework. I highlighted the key points for you.”

Ethan took the file, glancing through it.

It was well-organized. Strategic. Every point backed by data.

Damn it.

Noah knew exactly how to make something undeniable.

Ethan shut the file with a sharp snap. “You planned this from the start, didn’t you?”

Noah’s lips curled. “Would it matter if I did?”

Ethan studied him. “You’re ambitious.”

Noah met his gaze. “Is that a bad thing?”

Ethan exhaled slowly. “It is when you don’t know your limits.”

Noah smiled. “Or when I don’t accept them?”

Silence.

Ethan should have shut him down. Should have reminded him of who was in charge.

But instead—

Instead, he was intrigued.

And that was becoming a serious problem.

Tuesday – 3:15 PM – Unwanted Attention

Ethan was reviewing reports when a knock at his door interrupted him.

He looked up, already irritated. “What?”

The door opened, revealing James Carter—one of the company’s senior partners.

Ethan barely held back a groan.

James was arrogant, entitled, and one of the loudest voices against workplace inclusivity.

And he hated Noah.

“Ethan,” James said smoothly, stepping inside. “Got a minute?”

Ethan didn’t bother hiding his impatience. “Make it quick.”

James smirked. “It’s about your secretary.”

Ethan tensed. “What about him?”

James leaned against the desk. “Word is, he’s been pushing a little too hard. Making changes where he shouldn’t.”

Ethan’s expression darkened. “You mean the Employee Recognition Program?”

James scoffed. “Oh, come on, Ethan. We both know what this is. He’s trying to force that agenda into the company.”

Ethan’s grip on his pen tightened. “That agenda?”

James chuckled. “Don’t play dumb. We all know he’s—”

He stopped short.

Because Ethan was staring him down.

A slow, heavy silence filled the room.

James shifted uncomfortably. “Look, I’m just saying—he’s getting too comfortable. And if you let him keep pushing, people might start asking… questions.”

Ethan’s blood ran cold.

Questions.

About what, exactly?

He could feel it—the implication laced in James’s words. The unspoken accusation.

For the first time in his career, Ethan found himself on the other end of suspicion.

And he hated it.

His voice was low, controlled. “Are you done?”

James blinked. “I—”

Ethan’s expression didn’t waver. “Because if this is the best use of your time, maybe I need to reconsider your position in this company.”

James stiffened. “Ethan—”

“You’re dismissed.”

James hesitated, eyes flickering with something unreadable—then turned sharply and walked out.

The door shut behind him with a dull thud.

Ethan sat back in his chair, exhaling slowly.

His hands were clenched. His jaw tight.

Damn it.

This was escalating.

And he wasn’t sure if he was more furious at James—

Or at himself.

Because the moment James had implied something about him and Noah, Ethan’s first instinct hadn’t been anger.

It had been denial.

As if he had something to deny.

Tuesday – 9:45 PM – The Unspoken Conversation

Ethan had intended to leave work early.

But as he stepped out of his office, he saw Noah still at his desk, typing away.

Ethan frowned. “You’re still here?”

Noah didn’t look up. “So are you.”

Ethan sighed, walking over. “Go home, Reid.”

Noah finally glanced at him, eyes glinting with something unreadable. “Why?”

Ethan frowned. “Because it’s late.”

Noah’s lips quirked. “Do you say that to everyone? Or just me?”

Ethan exhaled sharply. “Don’t start.”

Noah leaned back in his chair, studying him. “Did something happen today?”

Ethan stiffened.

Noah was too perceptive.

Too good at reading between the lines.

Ethan met his gaze. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

Noah hummed. “Right.”

Silence stretched between them. Heavy. Loaded.

Then Noah did something unexpected.

He smiled.

But it wasn’t his usual smirk.

It was something softer. Almost knowing.

Like he had already figured out what Ethan was trying so hard to ignore.

Ethan’s pulse ticked up.

His hands curled into fists at his sides.

And before he could stop himself, he turned on his heel—walking away before Noah could say anything else.

Because if he had stayed—

If he had let Noah push him even a second longer—

Ethan wasn’t sure he would have won.

And Ethan Wen never lost.

Not to anyone.

And certainly not to a man like Noah Reid.

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