Sarah burst through the doors of Liam's penthouse office, her breath ragged, her cheeks flushed. She barely registered the opulent surroundings, the panoramic view of the London skyline, her focus solely on the man seated behind the imposing mahogany desk."Liam, I am so, so sorry!" she blurted out, her voice thick with unshed tears. "I completely messed up. The Henderson deal... the paperwork... I totally forgot!"The memory of his harsh words, the public humiliation, sent fresh tears welling up in her eyes. She'd never seen this side of Liam before, the ruthless businessman, the demanding boss. He was always so kind, so patient with her, treating her more like a younger sister than an employee. This outburst had shaken her, rattled her to the core."I was so caught up with the Phoenix project, with Ava..." she continued, her voice cracking. "I got carried away, I lost track of time, I—"She broke off, unable to continue, the tears finally spilling down her cheeks. Liam, who had been watching her with a mixture of concern and amusement, rose from his chair and walked towards her. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch surprisingly comforting."Sarah," he said softly, his voice laced with remorse, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. Especially not in public."Sarah looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. An apology? From Liam Blackwood, the man known for his icy demeanor and unwavering control? She had expected anger, disappointment, perhaps even a reprimand. But this... this was unexpected."I... I don't understand," she stammered, wiping away her tears. "The Henderson deal... it's off, isn't it?"Liam's lips curved into a small smile. "No, Sarah. It's not off."Confusion clouded Sarah's features. "But... you said...""I know what I said," Liam interrupted, his voice gentle. "But it was all part of the plan."Sarah's brow furrowed. "Plan? What plan?"Liam chuckled. "The Ava plan, of course."He explained his strategy, his desire to project an image of a demanding, ruthless businessman to Ava, to fuel her ambition, to challenge her perception of him. He'd used Sarah, albeit unintentionally, as a pawn in his elaborate game.Sarah stared at him, speechless, her mind reeling. She had been a pawn, a tool in his grand scheme. She felt a surge of anger, a sense of betrayal. But then, she saw the genuine remorse in Liam's eyes, the concern etched on his face."I'm sorry, Sarah," he repeated, his voice sincere. "I never meant to upset you. It was... a lapse in judgment."Sarah, her anger melting away, managed a weak smile. "It's okay, Liam. I understand. But next time, maybe give me a heads-up before you publicly berate me."Liam chuckled. "Duly noted. Now, about the Henderson deal...""I'll talk to the committee," Sarah said, her professional instincts kicking in. "I'm sure I can get an extension to submit the proposal."Liam shook his head. "No need, Sarah. I've already submitted it."Sarah's jaw dropped. "You... you what?""I finalized the paperwork last night," Liam explained. "I knew you'd be preoccupied with the Phoenix project, so I took care of it myself."Sarah felt a wave of conflicting emotions wash over her – relief, gratitude, and a lingering sense of being completely and utterly fooled."So... you yelled at me for no reason?" she asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and amusement.Liam shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Well, not entirely. I needed to make a convincing show for Ava's benefit. Besides," he added with a wink, "a little drama never hurts."Sarah, realizing the absurdity of the situation, burst into laughter, the tension finally dissipating. "You're unbelievable, Liam Blackwood," she said, shaking her head. "You know, I was in the middle of lunch when you called. I literally ran all the way here, starving and terrified. And you were just playing me?"Liam's laughter joined hers, filling the room with a warmth that Sarah had rarely witnessed. "Come on, Sarah," he said, taking her hand and leading her towards a dining area adjacent to his office. "Let's have that lunch you missed. I believe I owe you a meal."Sarah's eyes widened as she took in the sight before her. The dining table was laden with an array of delectable dishes, a feast fit for royalty. Liam, the notorious bachelor, had clearly gone to great lengths to prepare this spread."Liam, this is..." she stammered, overwhelmed by his gesture."Consider it an apology," he said, pulling out a chair for her. "And a thank you for playing along with my little charade."Sarah settled into the chair, her heart filled with a warmth that had nothing to do with the delicious food spread before her. She had been played, manipulated, but she couldn't help but admire Liam's audacity, his strategic brilliance, and his unwavering dedication to winning back the woman he loved.As they shared the meal, laughter and conversation flowed freely, the earlier tension forgotten. Sarah, despite the rollercoaster of emotions she'd experienced that day, felt a renewed sense of loyalty towards Liam, a deeper understanding of the man behind the mask, the man who was willing to go to extraordinary lengths for love.