Aria Monroe stood in front of the towering glass building, its mirrored surface reflecting the bustling city around her. She took a deep breath, clutching the strap of her sleek leather bag. Today wasn't just another day. It was the first step in a carefully orchestrated plan years in the making.
The world knew this place as the headquarters of Stone Industries, a billion-dollar empire led by Damon Stone. But to Aria, it was the lair of a monster—a man whose ambition had left a trail of shattered lives in its wake, including her family's.
"Excuse me, miss," a security guard called as she lingered in the lobby. "Can I help you?"
"Yes," Aria said with a confident smile, pulling out her forged identification badge. "I'm the new operations assistant. First day."
The guard nodded and waved her through, unaware that the woman before him wasn't the polished professional she pretended to be. Every step Aria took deeper into the building felt heavier, as if the weight of her past was pressing against her shoulders. But she couldn't falter now.
In the elevator, she caught her reflection in the polished steel doors. Her dark hair was styled into soft waves, framing sharp features that betrayed none of her inner turmoil. This was the face of control, of purpose.
When the elevator dinged on the 21st floor, Aria stepped into a sleek office space where the hum of activity buzzed like a hive. She scanned the room, her eyes settling on a man standing near the large glass windows.
Damon Stone.
Even from a distance, his presence was commanding. Broad shoulders, tailored suit, and an expression of quiet dominance. He looked every bit the ruthless businessman she'd read about in news articles. Aria's stomach twisted, but she forced herself to focus.
She wasn't here to marvel. She was here to destroy.
"Miss Monroe, welcome."
Aria turned to see a smiling woman approaching her, hand outstretched. "I'm Clara, the head of HR. Let me show you to your desk and get you settled."
"Thank you," Aria replied, her tone friendly yet distant.
As Clara led her through the open-plan office, Aria silently memorized every detail: exits, cameras, and the locations of key offices. Her mind was a machine, processing information for the days to come.
"Here we are," Clara said, stopping at a desk near the center of the room. "This will be your workstation. Your supervisor will meet you shortly."
Aria thanked her and settled into the chair. She powered on the computer, her fingers itching to start gathering intel. But before she could dive in, a shadow fell over her desk.
"Welcome to Stone Industries."
The voice was deep, warm, and entirely unfamiliar. Aria looked up and froze.
Standing before her wasn't Damon Stone but another man—taller, with softer features and piercing gray eyes that seemed to see right through her.
"I'm Liam Stone," he said, extending a hand.
Liam Stone. The brother.
Aria swallowed, forcing a polite smile as she shook his hand. "Aria Monroe. Nice to meet you."
Her mind raced. She hadn't planned for this. Liam Stone wasn't supposed to be here, wasn't supposed to matter. But as he held her gaze, Aria felt a flicker of unease.
For the first time in years, she wondered if she was walking into something far more dangerous than she had ever imagined.
Liam's handshake was firm, but there was a calmness to him, a gentleness she hadn't expected. He was nothing like Damon's sharp, predatory aura. If anything, Liam seemed... approachable.
"It's not every day we get new hires here," he said, releasing her hand. His voice carried a hint of curiosity, his eyes studying her as if trying to unravel something.
Aria's pulse quickened, but she kept her composure. "I'm excited to be here. It's an incredible opportunity."
Liam smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly. "I'm sure you'll fit right in. My office is just down the hall if you need anything."
"Thank you, Mr. Stone," Aria replied with a polite nod.
"Liam," he corrected. "No need for formalities."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Aria to exhale the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She watched him retreat to his office, her mind spinning.
Liam Stone wasn't part of the plan. From all her research, she knew he rarely involved himself in the day-to-day operations of Stone Industries. His presence here was an anomaly—and a problem.
She refocused on her computer, determined not to let distractions interfere with her goal. Opening the company's internal database, Aria began her search. Names, emails, schedules—anything that could give her a glimpse into Damon's world.
Minutes turned into hours, and by lunchtime, she had already uncovered a few useful pieces of information. Damon was scheduled to attend a private investor meeting later that week—a potential opportunity to observe him outside the confines of the office.
But as Aria stood to grab a coffee from the breakroom, she nearly collided with Liam.
"Whoa," he said, steadying her with a hand on her arm. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," Aria replied quickly, stepping back and forcing a smile. "Just a little lost in thought."
"Work can do that to you." He glanced at her empty mug. "You like coffee?"
"Don't we all?" she joked, trying to deflect.
Liam chuckled. "Fair point. Come on—I know a place downstairs that makes a great cappuccino."
Aria hesitated. She didn't want to spend more time with him than necessary, but refusing might draw unwanted attention. She nodded. "Sure, why not?"
The café on the ground floor was small but cozy, with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in the afternoon sunlight. Liam ordered for both of them, insisting on paying despite her protests.
As they waited, he leaned against the counter, studying her again. "So, Aria, what made you want to work here?"
The question caught her off guard, but she was ready. "I've always admired the company's impact, especially in philanthropy. It's rare to see a business balance profit with purpose."
Liam raised an eyebrow. "Interesting perspective. Most people just see the profits."
Aria forced a smile. "I guess I'm not most people."
"Clearly," he said, his tone teasing but thoughtful.
The barista called their names, and Liam handed her a steaming cup. As they returned to the office, Aria couldn't help but feel uneasy. Liam's presence wasn't just a complication—it was a threat.
He was too perceptive, too curious.
Back at her desk, Aria reminded herself of why she was here. Liam Stone might have been kind, but he was still a part of the family she'd vowed to bring down. She couldn't afford to forget that.
By the time the office began winding down for the day, Aria had already made progress. She'd gained access to Damon's assistant's calendar and forwarded a few files from a shared folder to a private drive. Nothing that would raise alarms—just small, seemingly innocuous steps in a much larger plan.
Her next move would come tomorrow, during Damon's weekly executive meeting. She needed more than surface-level information; she needed the skeletons buried deep in Stone Industries' vaults.
As the last of the employees filtered out, Aria stayed behind, pretending to review reports on her computer. In reality, she was mapping out the network directory, noting which departments had restricted files and who had access to them.
"Still here?"
The voice startled her. She spun around to see Liam leaning against the cubicle wall, his gray eyes studying her with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
"Just wrapping up," she said, masking her surprise with a smile. "First-day nerves, I guess."
Liam chuckled softly. "I get it. Wanting to make a good impression and all." He paused, tilting his head slightly. "You know, you don't have to overdo it. Everyone has a learning curve here."
"I appreciate that," Aria replied, returning her gaze to the computer screen.
But Liam didn't leave. Instead, he stepped closer, his tone shifting to something quieter, more thoughtful. "Most people wouldn't bother staying late on their first day. You're different."
Aria's fingers froze over the keyboard. She glanced up, meeting his gaze. Was he suspicious, or just curious?
"I like to stay ahead," she said smoothly. "Old habits die hard, I guess."
"Hmm." Liam nodded, but there was a flicker of something in his expression—doubt? Amusement? Aria couldn't tell.
"Well, don't work too hard," he said finally, stepping back. "See you tomorrow."
As he walked away, Aria let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She couldn't let Liam distract her, no matter how charming or perceptive he seemed.
She shut down her computer and gathered her things, her mind already racing with plans for the next day. Liam Stone might have been a wildcard, but Damon was still her primary target.
And she would make sure he never saw her coming.