### **Chapter 5: The First Crack**
Mia left Knight Enterprises with her laptop bag slung over her shoulder and her mind running at a hundred miles per hour. The man was insufferable, domineering, and far too good-looking for his own good. She wanted to hate him, but the challenge in his icy blue eyes had stirred something inside her—something that both infuriated and intrigued her.
Back at her small but cozy apartment, she kicked off her shoes and flopped onto the couch. She opened her laptop and stared at the designs she had pitched to Alexander. They were good. No, they were more than good—they were some of her best work. But for Alexander Knight, "good" wasn't enough.
She sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Why do I even care what he thinks?" she muttered to herself. But deep down, she knew why. Winning this contract wasn't just about money or exposure; it was about proving that she could stand toe-to-toe with someone like him and come out on top.
Mia worked late into the night, revising her designs. She poured her frustration, her determination, and a tiny bit of her lingering curiosity about Alexander into her work. By the time the sun began to rise, she had crafted a series of bold, sleek designs that she was certain would impress even him.
---
The following day, she emailed the updated proposal to Alexander, as instructed. His response came quicker than she had expected—a simple message summoning her back to his office.
---
When she walked into the conference room that afternoon, Alexander was already seated, flipping through a printed copy of her revised designs. His expression was unreadable, as always, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that made her stomach twist.
"You've outdone yourself, Ms. Adams," he said, finally looking up. His tone was calm, measured, but there was a glimmer of something in his eyes—approval, perhaps? It was hard to tell.
Mia raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"You should," he replied, standing and walking toward the window. The sunlight streaming through the glass cast a halo around his figure, making him look even more imposing. "But don't let it go to your head. This is only the beginning."
Mia rolled her eyes, unable to stop herself. "You're impossible, you know that?"
Alexander turned to face her, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. It wasn't the cold, calculating smirk she had seen before—it was something softer, almost genuine. For a moment, it caught her off guard.
"You're not the first person to tell me that," he said. His voice was lower now, less formal, and it sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.
"Well, I'm sure you give people plenty of reasons to," Mia shot back, trying to regain her composure.
He stepped closer, and the room seemed to shrink around her. "I don't waste time on pleasantries, Ms. Adams. I value results. And so far, you've delivered."
Mia's pulse quickened. She hated how his presence affected her, how the intensity in his gaze made her feel both vulnerable and empowered at the same time. "Then I suppose we're done here," she said, her voice sharper than she intended.
Alexander tilted his head slightly, as if studying her. "Not quite."
She frowned. "What do you mean?"
He walked to the table, picking up the printed designs and placing them in a folder. "I want you to be more involved in the implementation phase. This isn't just about designing logos and branding materials. It's about bringing these ideas to life."
Mia blinked. "Are you saying you want me to work in-house?"
"Precisely," Alexander said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You'll have full access to our resources, and you'll report directly to me."
The weight of his words settled over her like a storm cloud. Working in-house meant stepping into his world—his meticulously controlled, high-pressure environment. It also meant spending more time with him, which was the last thing she wanted.
"I don't usually work like that," she said carefully.
"Then consider this an exception," Alexander replied smoothly. "Unless, of course, you're not up for the challenge."
Her pride flared. She wasn't about to let him think she couldn't handle it. "Fine," she said, lifting her chin. "But I set my own schedule. I'm not one of your employees."
His lips curved into that maddening smirk again. "I wouldn't dream of treating you like one."
Mia wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or more unsettled. Either way, she had just agreed to step deeper into Alexander Knight's orbit. And something told her she wouldn't come out unscathed.