The city pulsed with life, its skyline glittering like a promise Selena Carter knew was never meant for her. She tightened her grip on her leather portfolio, willing herself to stay calm as she stepped into the grand lobby of Wolfe Enterprises.
Marble floors gleamed beneath her heels, and the air smelled of wealth—freshly brewed espresso, polished wood, and power. It was intimidating, but Selena had no choice. Her father's architectural firm, Carter & Co., was on the verge of collapse, drowning in debts she hadn't seen coming. She needed this contract with Wolfe Enterprises. Desperately.
She straightened her back and approached the reception desk. The woman behind it, sharp-eyed and perfectly put together, barely spared her a glance.
"I'm here for a meeting with Mr. Wolfe," Selena said, her voice steady.
The receptionist gave a pointed look at her thrift-store blazer, then tapped her keyboard. "Name?"
"Selena Carter."
A pause. Then, after what felt like an eternity, the woman's expression shifted slightly. "Take the elevator to the top floor. Mr. Wolfe is expecting you."
Selena exhaled, ignoring the tightness in her chest. This was it. Her one shot.
As she stepped into the sleek glass elevator, she caught her reflection in the mirrored walls. She looked composed, but inside, she was anything but. She wasn't naive—Adrian Wolfe wasn't known for his kindness. He was a shark, a man who built his empire by crushing others under his polished black shoes.
And she was walking straight into his den.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing an expansive office with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city. At the center of it all, behind a massive glass desk, sat Adrian Wolfe.
He didn't look up immediately. He was focused on something—his phone, maybe an email—but when he did, Selena felt the full weight of his gaze.
Cold. Calculating. Like he was already deciding her worth.
"Miss Carter." His voice was deep, smooth, but devoid of warmth. He gestured to the chair across from him. "Sit."
Selena took a steady breath and walked forward, lowering herself onto the chair.
"I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me, Mr. Wolfe," she began, determined to sound professional.
He leaned back in his chair, studying her. "Carter & Co.," he said, his voice unreadable. "Your father built it from the ground up. Impressive. Until it started falling apart."
Selena swallowed, but she didn't let her expression crack. "That's exactly why I'm here. I have a proposal—"
He raised a hand, silencing her. "I've seen your work, Miss Carter. You're talented, but talent isn't always enough. Why should I invest in a company that's already failing?"
Her stomach twisted, but she lifted her chin. "Because Carter & Co. has something no one else does—my designs. You want a new flagship building that will stand out in this city? I can give you that. A design that isn't just another cold corporate structure but something iconic."
He watched her, his expression giving away nothing. Then, to her surprise, he smirked.
"You're bold," he mused. "I like that."
She exhaled slightly, thinking she had convinced him, but then he spoke again.
"But I don't do charity, Miss Carter. If I help you, I expect something in return."
She tensed. "What do you want?"
Adrian stood, moving to the floor-to-ceiling windows, his hands in his pockets. He looked out at the city, the weight of his presence making the room feel smaller.
Then he turned back to her, his gaze sharper than before.
"A fiancée."
The words hung in the air between them, and for a moment, Selena thought she had misheard him.
"I—what?" she stammered.