The grand conference room of Knight Enterprises was filled with the soft murmur of employees, tapping keyboards, and the subtle shuffling of papers. At the far end of the room, sitting on a sleek leather chair, was Adrian Knight, the enigmatic CEO known for his cold demeanor, sharp intelligence, and unmatched business acumen.
With his dark gray suit perfectly tailored and a platinum watch wrapped around his wrist, he radiated power. His cold, steel-gray eyes scanned the meeting agenda, his chiseled jaw tight with concentration. Everyone in the room knew better than to disturb him.
But just as the chief marketing officer finished his presentation, the sound of the door opening echoed across the room.
Click.
All eyes turned to the entrance. Adrian's pen stopped mid-air as his eyes followed the sound. Time seemed to freeze.
She walked in.
Her.
The woman he had spent the last five years trying to forget.
The woman who had disappeared without a trace.
The woman he had once loved more than life itself.
"Emily Harper," the HR manager announced. "She will be our new Senior Design Consultant."
Adrian's eyes narrowed as he clenched his jaw. Emily Harper. He could never forget that name, nor the memories tied to it. Her long, wavy brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, her eyes still held that fiery glow of determination he had always admired. But there was something different about her now — she looked more confident, more untouchable.
Emily walked into the room with poise, her black heels clicking softly against the marble floor. Her gaze remained steady, focused. She didn't even flinch when her eyes met his. Not a single sign of recognition.
His heart tightened. Was she pretending? Did she forget him that easily?
"Impossible," he thought.
"Welcome, Ms. Harper," Adrian's voice was as cold as ice. "I hope you understand that at Knight Enterprises, we do not tolerate mistakes."
Emily's eyes flickered to him, her lips curling into a soft, polite smile. "I never make mistakes, Mr. Knight."
Her voice was calm, but her eyes were sharp, challenging him in front of everyone. It was like a game of chess, and Adrian hated losing.
"She's changed," he thought, tapping his fingers on the table.
"Good," he replied, his voice deadly calm. "Then don't disappoint me."
But deep down, he knew she already had.