It was Monday morning, and Victoria's presence in the office had already sent a wave of tension through her staff. The whispers had begun long before she arrived: a new intern, handpicked by HR, was joining the team today. Rumors swirled about his charming demeanor and spotless resume, but Victoria cared little for hearsay. She wanted results, not stories.
The elevator doors slid open, and a young man stepped into view. Ethan Ward. He was tall and lean, with an unassuming presence that blended well into the sea of professionals. His slightly tousled brown hair and warm smile made him look approachable, almost harmless—the perfect bait for someone like Victoria.
"Ms. Lane, this is Ethan Ward, our new intern," Anna, her assistant, introduced as she guided him to Victoria's office.
Victoria's icy gaze settled on Ethan, appraising him with the precision of someone evaluating a chess piece. Ethan, for his part, maintained his calm demeanor, his polite smile unwavering even under the weight of her scrutiny.
"Mr. Ward," Victoria said, her voice smooth and devoid of warmth, "I don't tolerate mediocrity in my company. If you're here to coast, I suggest you walk out that door right now."
Ethan's smile widened slightly, a subtle flicker of something unreadable in his dark eyes. "I appreciate the opportunity, Ms. Lane. I assure you, I'm here to contribute, not to coast."
Victoria tilted her head, intrigued by his confidence. Most interns would have stammered under her directness, but Ethan held his ground. It was rare, and she wasn't sure whether to be impressed or suspicious.
"We'll see," she said simply, dismissing him with a nod. "Anna, show him to his desk."
As Ethan followed Anna out, Victoria's gaze lingered on his retreating figure. There was something about him that unsettled her—a subtle dissonance she couldn't quite place. For someone so young and seemingly unremarkable, his presence carried an inexplicable weight, like the calm before a storm.
What Victoria didn't know was that Ethan wasn't here by chance. He had been watching her long before he set foot in her office, and every move he made was part of a plan meticulously crafted for one purpose: to break the seal buried deep within her soul.
Later that evening, as the city buzzed with life outside her penthouse, Victoria stood by the window, a glass of wine in her hand. The skyline reflected in her sharp blue eyes, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Her family's legacy had always been shrouded in mystery, whispers of power and curses woven into the fabric of their history. She had spent years unraveling the truth, and now, she was closer than ever to unlocking the secret hidden within her.
The penthouse mirrored Victoria's personality—a blend of sophistication and calculated precision. Every piece of furniture, from the sleek leather sofa to the crystal chandelier, was a statement of power and control. But amidst the luxury, there was an underlying coldness, a deliberate absence of personal touches that hinted at her guarded nature.
Her phone buzzed on the marble counter, breaking her reverie. Picking it up, she found a message from an unknown number. "Do you trust your new intern?"
Victoria frowned, her grip tightening on the glass. Whoever had sent this message knew more than they should, and she didn't like being blindsided. But instead of anger, a cold smile spread across her lips. If this was a game, she intended to win.
She set the phone down and turned back to the window, her reflection staring back at her like a queen in her castle, ready to defend her throne. Whatever Ethan Ward's game was, he would soon learn that playing with fire came at a cost.