Isabella POV
I hated him.
Gabriel Knight was the most annoying, arrogant jerk I had ever met.
I left his office fuming while his words echoed in my mind.
"You should reconsider my offer."
My grip tightened on the folder. He thought he had me cornered. He thought I'd cave.
"Maybe you should go to hell," I hissed and pressed the elevator's button.
I got in and yelled as loud as I could. It was just me and I wanted to smash anything to pieces.
"Damn, that crazy man!" I yelled, and a ding sound came.
The elevator doors opened, and a middle-aged man entered. I smiled, acting calm, and he pressed a button.
In seconds, the elevator opened, and he left.
The man walked out, and the doors closed. I let out the breath I was holding and continued my imaginary fighting and punched the air.
I was going to show him.
Sterling Tech was mine. He had no right to show up and try to take away everything. I had stayed in my father's shadows and had learned every inch of the business.
The elevator door opened, and I walked out. I shoved through the transparent moving door and stepped out of the company.
The cool afternoon air did nothing to calm the pounding in my head.
I needed a plan.
*******
Back at the Sterling Tech headquarters, my father paced in his office, his expression grim.
"You went to see him, didn't you?" he asked as soon as I walked in.
I tossed the folder onto his desk. "Yeah. Now, I realize it was a bad idea."
Dad shook his head and looked out the window.
"We have a bigger problem. The news is everywhere. Our stocks are plummeting," I continued
Dad sighed, rubbing his temples. "We need to contain the damage."
I crossed my arms. "We need to find out who leaked it."
He looked at me, hesitation flickering in his eyes.
I froze. "You think it was him, don't you?"
He didn't answer.
I exhaled sharply. "Dad, if he's the one who leaked it, that means he's already playing dirty. We can't sit back and let him take over."
Victor nodded. "No, we can't. But you're forgetting something. He has the power to destroy us. If he's staying quiet."
********
That night, I met Chloe at an exclusive rooftop bar. She was already sipping a martini when I arrived. She frowned and groaned as she drowned the content of her cup. I wondered why she wouldn't stop if it wasn't tasty.
She smiled at me, as I got closer and offered me a cup.
"You're crazy, Chloe. I just got here," I said, laughing.
"Even better," she answered, still giving me a glass. I took it and pulled out a seat.
"Spill," she said, eyeing me over the rim of her glass.
I sank into the seat across from her. "Gabriel Knight is trying to take over Sterling Tech."
She raised an eyebrow. "And?"
I frowned. "What do you mean, 'and'?"
Chloe leaned in, smiling like an idiot. "You like him," she blurted.
I scoffed, wondering if she was drunk. "That's not the point of this discussion."
"I have seen him on the news. That man is hot. Don't tell me you haven't thought of kissing him?" She asked.
I nearly choked on my drink. "Excuse me?"
She laughed. "Oh, come on, Isabella. He's rich, powerful, and...admit it. He's insanely attractive."
I scowled. "That's irrelevant."
Chloe smirked. "Is it?"
I rolled my eyes. "This isn't a romance story. It's not a game. Are you even listening? He's trying to destroy everything My Dad's worked for. All I have worked for."
She sipped her drink. "Then destroy him first."
I stared at her.
Chloe tilted her head. "You're smarter than him, Isabella. Use that."
A slow smirk formed on my lips. Maybe she was right.
Maybe it was time to play my game.
The next morning, I made my move.
I walked into Gabriel's office with his assistant running after me. This time, he was leaning against his desk, scrolling through his phone, looking completely unbothered.
For a second, I was lost in his posture. His side profile was great and his chiseled jaw line made me forget why I was even here.
He glanced up, and I immediately returned to default mode.
"You missed me already?" he asked.
I ignored the way my pulse jumped at that damn smirk. "I'm here to negotiate."
Gabriel set his phone down. "I'm listening."
I crossed my arms. "You get a seat at the board. That's it. No controlling stake, no final say in decisions."
He chuckled. "Cute."
I clenched my jaw. "I have to warn you. If you force a takeover. You sure as hell be ready to fight me every step of the way."
He pushed off the desk, stepping closer. "I like a good fight."
I refused to step back. "And I like winning."
He studied me, his eyes darkening with something unreadable. "So do I."
For a moment, the air between us shifted.
Gabriel's gaze flickered to my lips. And my breath shifted.
Then, just as quickly, he smirked. "But your offer is unacceptable."
I exhaled sharply. "Then what do you want?"
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. "Everything. And that includes you."
"What?" I asked, horrified.
"Go on a date with me," he said bluntly.
My stomach twisted. "That's not happening."
He grinned. "Then I guess we're at war, Isabella."
I lifted my chin. "Then prepare to lose."
His smirk didn't fade. "Oh, darling, I never lose."
I turned on my heel, storming toward the door.
But just as I reached for the handle, he spoke again.
"By the way," Gabriel said lazily. "You might want to check your stocks this morning."
I hesitated.
"Turns out you guys sure do know how to make terrible business ideas," he mocked.
I shivered and reached for my phone in my pocket.
I browsed the internet, my fingers scrolling and typing, and then I saw it. My eyes widened in shock as I read the news.
This wasn't supposed to happen. Not now.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" He asked.
I felt a chill run down my spine as my gaze moved from my phone's screen to his face.
"Screw you!" I cursed silently in my heart and pushed the door open.
I walked out, my heart beat raising as I realized I wasn't winning this fight.