Evelyn Carter swept into the towering glass building of Carter & Co., her heels clicking against the marble floor with a confidence that made heads turn. Her sleek black suit was sharp enough to cut steel, and her expression, as always, was unreadable. The air shifted when she entered—employees straightened in their seats, whispers ceased, and even the security guards stood a little taller.
At thirty-two, Evelyn was a force to be reckoned with, a woman who'd clawed her way to the top in an industry dominated by men. She had no time for distractions, especially not on a Monday morning.
"Ms. Carter," her assistant, Julia, called out, rushing to keep pace with her boss's long strides. "Your new personal assistant is waiting in your office."
"Personal assistant?" Evelyn asked, arching a perfectly shaped brow.
"Yes, Leo Bennett. HR said he comes highly recommended—"
Evelyn didn't wait to hear the rest. She pushed open her office door, ready to meet whoever thought they could keep up with her demanding schedule.
And there he was.
Leo Bennett stood by her desk, looking entirely too comfortable in her space. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with messy dark hair and a boyish smile that didn't match the crisp suit he wore. His hazel eyes sparkled with mischief, like he knew a secret she didn't.
"Ms. Carter," he said, his voice warm and self-assured. "It's an honor to finally meet you."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed. She hated how charming he seemed, like he'd walked straight out of a magazine spread. "We'll see if the honor is mutual," she replied coolly.
Leo's smile widened. "I like a challenge."
For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken tension. Evelyn hated that her first thought wasn't dismissal—it was curiosity.
"Get to work," she said briskly, brushing past him. "You'll find I don't tolerate inefficiency, Mr. Bennett."
"And I don't deliver anything less than excellence, Ms. Carter," he replied smoothly, his grin never faltering.
As Evelyn settled into her chair, she couldn't help but feel she'd just met her match.