Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Layla
I'd been staring at the design on my computer screen for a solid ten minutes.
The lines were still the same lines. The gem cut angles were fine. But my brain refused to function.
Twenty-two hours ago, my life had been stable, successful, a little stressful but full of drive.
I'd been so damn satisfied I'd almost wanted to praise fate for once.
And then? One disastrous dinner, a reunion with the last person I ever wanted to see again, Kai's sudden bloodline episode, and that bastard following me to the hospital and discovering everything.
Perfect. Everything was screwed.
"Ella?" Anna's voice pulled me back to reality. "That's the third time I've called you. Mrs. Hathaway's order—are you sure about this cut?"
"What?" I looked at her blankly.
Anna sighed and came over to take the mouse from my hand. "You've been distracted since you got back last night. Is something wrong with Kai?"
"He's fine. Much better." I rubbed my temples.
The medication Amy prescribed had controlled the bloodline episode, but I knew—eighty percent certain—it was only temporary.
An Alpha's bloodline was never simple. I knew the best, fastest, most thorough solution: have his biological father perform the bloodline guidance. Also the most impossible one.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Don't think about him. Don't think about last night.
Baltimore's big enough. Even if you can't run, can't you at least hide?
My phone rang.
I answered weakly. Lucas. Currently my biggest client.
I rubbed between my brows, pulling myself together to greet my patron. "Mr. Lucas, you—"
"Miss Ross, our company's been acquired!" An excited, high-pitched voice exploded in my ear.
Moon Goddess above, I must still be asleep.
"What?" My vision went dark. I forced my eyes wide, making sure I wasn't hallucinating.
"This morning, some big corporation made an acquisition offer. Very generous price. The board voted unanimously to accept," Lucas said. I could practically picture him looking smug right now.
"Of course, you'll still handle all our jewelry design projects. Though your new boss might not be as easygoing as me."
My heart gradually sank.
Life was so fucking hilarious. After one problem hits, there's always a steady stream of second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth ones coming right behind.
"Which corporation?" I controlled the urge to scream, forcing myself to stay patient and gather information about my new boss. As Lucas said, while he was unreliable and irresponsible, he truly was a boss who didn't make difficult demands.
But the new boss... judging from this sudden acquisition, I was definitely going to miss Lucas after meeting him.
"Can't disclose that yet, you know, confidentiality agreement. But you'll meet him in two hours." Lucas paused. Some rustling sounds came through that made my ears itch. I sighed and switched to speaker.
"He specifically requested to meet you at Blue Note Café to discuss the cooperation details. Ella, prepare well."
"Lucas," I felt desperate. Meeting in two hours, minus travel time, left me very limited time to prepare. "At least tell me—are they also in the jewelry business?"
"Ah, I really have to go!" An engine roared to life—Lucas starting up his McLaren. "The acquisition payment just cleared. I've got friends waiting on the yacht to celebrate. Leaving now!"
"Wait..."
"Good luck, Miss Ross. I believe in you!"
"Lucas!"
Beep beep beep—
I stared at the screen and gave a cold laugh. Were these damn rich people trying to destroy my career?!
"What happened?" Anna asked worriedly.
"Lucas's company got acquired." I tossed my phone on the desk. "New boss wants to see me in two hours, but Lucas didn't tell me anything—just rushed off to play with his money."
"Acquired?" Anna frowned. "So sudden?"
"Who knows." I slumped back in my chair, exhausted. "Maybe it's just a normal M&A deal."
But an uneasy feeling rose in my chest. My gut told me this wasn't simple, but I didn't have the energy to figure it out. Everything I was dealing with was enough to keep me spinning like a top.
"Ella, are you worried about something?" Anna picked up on my mood.
"No." I shook my head, forcing myself to rally. "Just tired."
Layla, calm down. Calm down.
Think about the breach penalty. Think about your pitiful savings. Lucas's contract is worth 1.8 million. You can't afford to lose it.
"Help me prepare a complete project report," I said, standing up and gathering my things. "All design drawings, progress schedules, and budget details."
"Got it." Anna sprang into action.
I went to the bathroom and fixed my makeup in the mirror.
The woman staring back looked exhausted—faint, dark circles under her eyes, pale complexion, lips pressed into a tight line.
"Pull yourself together, Layla," I told my reflection. "You can do this. Be a professional."
I forced a smile, covered the dark circles with concealer, and touched up my lipstick. When I came back out, Anna had everything ready.
"Complete project report, plus backup on USB." She handed me the folder. "Want me to come with you?"
"No." I took the folder. "You stay and handle things here."
"Be careful then." Anna squeezed my hand, trying to give me strength. "If anything goes wrong, call me right away."
"I will."
An hour and a half later, the car dropped me off at Blue Note Café.
I did one last makeup check, made sure all materials were in order, and gave myself a quiet pep talk.
"You've got this, Layla. This is your turf."
I put on my polished, perfect smile and pushed open the door. The café smelled of coffee beans, soft jazz flowing through the air. My gaze swept the space, searching for an unfamiliar face.
Then—
A tall man sat by the window in a perfectly tailored charcoal three-piece suit. Sunlight streamed through the window, dancing in his silver eyes. He held a coffee cup, casually flipping through documents. At the sound of the door, he looked up. His lips slowly curved into a smile.
"Miss Ross." He set down his cup and stood, walking toward me with measured, predatory steps. "Right on time. Very good."
I stood frozen, clutching the folder. All my prepared professional smiles and polite phrases stuck in my throat.
Kayden Blackwood.
My new boss.
Fuck my life.
"You..." My voice shook. "How could you..."
"Please, sit." Kayden wore a polite but distant smile, as if he really were treating me like a first-time business contact. "We have much to discuss." But his eyes betrayed him. Those silver eyes burned with something scorching and dangerous.
Finally, when I realized that every single one of my problems traced back to this bastard, the string called reason snapped completely.
"You stalker!" I found my voice, anger flooding my face with heat. "Last night at the hospital, now buying out Lucas's company... Kayden Blackwood, are you insane?!"
My voice came out louder than intended. Several customers in the café turned to look.
But I didn't care.
I pointed at him, my finger trembling. "What the hell do you want?!"
Kayden didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled slowly, pleased, with a hint of triumph.
"There she is." He remarked leisurely. "Compared to that ice-cold 'Ella Ross,' I much prefer you like this."
My face instantly burned. "You..."
"Let's discuss your project." Kayden sat back down, elegantly lifting his coffee cup for a sip, gesturing for me to proceed. "After all, I'm your boss now."
I took a deep breath, desperately trying to calm my racing heart.
Stay cool. This is your job. Think about the one-point-eight million.
"You're despicable," I said quietly, but still walked over and sat across from him, slamming the folder onto the table.
This was what he wanted, wasn't it? Using his wealth, his power to trap me here.
Trap me by his side.
"I know," Kayden replied with surprising frankness. "But I had no choice."
Diana stirred from sleep. The enticing scent of our mate roused her, and now she was inappropriately excited, trying to make me move closer to Kayden.
Dream on, you traitor.
I mentally cursed Diana and glared at Kayden.
"Since Mr. Blackwood is so eager to discuss work, let's discuss work."
I forced myself into professional mode, opening to the first design.
"The Lucas project is a six-month high-end custom jewelry series themed 'Rebirth.'" My voice became steady and professional. "Three sample designs are complete: the 'Breaking Free' bracelet, the 'Phoenix Rising' necklace, and the 'New Life' earrings."
"The 'Rebirth' series." He studied the designs, fingers lightly tracing one. "Why this theme?"
"Based on market research and analysis of target demographic preferences..."
"That's not what I'm asking." Kayden leaned back, his gaze roaming over my face with unsettling intimacy. "I'm asking why you, Miss Ross, chose 'Rebirth.'"
He emphasized that "you."
My fingers gripped the folder's edge tightly.
"Professional expertise," I said, controlling the urge to throw the whole stack in his face. "Understanding the high-end market and consumer psychology."
"Is that so?" Kayden picked up one sheet—the 'Phoenix Rising' necklace, a phoenix rising from flames, wings spread wide. "Rising from death, reborn from despair... this design feels very personal."
He looked up, those silver eyes boring straight into mine.
"Like someone who actually experienced death and then... rebirth."
My breathing hitched.
"That's your interpretation." I managed to say, then quickly recovered. "I simply created a design that meets market demand. If you have objections, I can revise the concept."
"No need. I quite like this theme. Please continue."
I mentally rolled my eyes and gave him the barest hint of a smile to acknowledge his microscopic courtesy.
I pulled the design from his hand, pointing to the 'Phoenix Rising' necklace.
"Here, the centerpiece is a 5-carat Burmese pigeon blood ruby, VS clarity, paired with..."
"Why not larger?" Kayden interrupted abruptly.