The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.
Ethan Park stepped into the towering Hale Industries headquarters, his hands clutching a leather-bound notebook. His heart pounded in his chest.
He had read all about Riven Hale—the ruthless CEO, the man who built his empire with nothing but raw intelligence and an almost terrifying ability to see through people. Some called him a genius. Others called him a monster.
ETHAN PARK/ETHAN/MC'S ASSISTANT
This is it, my first day
Ethan wasn’t sure which one was true.
But he was about to find out.
The office was pristine. Sleek. Cold.
Ethan swallowed as he stood outside the massive doors of the CEO’s office. The secretary, a woman with sharp eyes, barely spared him a glance.
“Good luck,” she muttered, pressing a button to unlock the door.
That… wasn’t comforting.
Ethan took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The first thing he noticed was the silence.
The second was Riven Hale.
The man sat behind an imposing desk, dressed in a crisp black suit, his sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal strong forearms. He was effortlessly elegant, his dark eyes sharp and unreadable.
He didn’t look up.
RIVEN HALE/RIVEN/MC
Sit
ETHAN PARK/ETHAN/MC'S ASSISTANT
*Ethan scrambled into the chair across from him, gripping his notebook tighter* Uh—yes, sir.
Riven finally glanced at him, his gaze cool and assessing.
RIVEN HALE/RIVEN/MC
You’re the new assistant?
ETHAN PARK/ETHAN/MC'S ASSISTANT
Yes, Mr. Hale. Ethan Park.
Silence.
Ethan shifted in his seat, suddenly feeling very small under Riven’s stare. He had prepared for this job. He was organized, hardworking, and determined to do well.
But something about Riven made him nervous.
It wasn’t his presence. It wasn’t even the rumors.
It was the way Riven was looking at him now—like he was waiting for something.
Then Riven spoke.
RIVEN HALE/RIVEN/MC
Are you lying to me, Ethan Park?
ETHAN PARK/ETHAN/MC'S ASSISTANT
*Blinked* W-What?
RIVEN HALE/RIVEN/MC
*Riven leaned back, studying him with a gaze that felt almost… curious* I asked if you were lying.
ETHAN PARK/ETHAN/MC'S ASSISTANT
*Frowned* About what?
Another long pause. Then, to his shock, Riven’s lips curved into something almost like amusement.
RIVEN HALE/RIVEN/MC
Interesting, *he murmured*
Ethan had no idea what that meant.
But he had a feeling working for Riven Hale was going to be nothing like he expected.
Comments