Scarlett Hayes inhaled deeply before stepping through the gleaming glass doors of Wolfe Enterprises. The air inside was crisp, sterile—like the building itself rejected anything that didn't operate with ruthless efficiency.
Employees in tailored suits moved with precision, their footsteps clicking against the polished marble floors. No one lingered. No one chatted idly. The space hummed with quiet authority, the kind that didn't tolerate disorder.
Scarlett had worked in high-powered offices before, but there was something different about this one. It wasn't just an office—it was a machine, a fortress of power. And at its helm sat Adrian Wolfe, a man known for his razor-sharp business acumen, ruthless decisions, and an unforgiving temperament.
Rumors painted him as impossible to please, someone who would cut a person down with a single look. Secretaries rarely lasted under him.
But Scarlett wasn't here to be intimidated.
She straightened her shoulders, her heels clicking against the floor as she approached the front desk. The receptionist barely spared her a glance, typing away at lightning speed.
"Scarlett Hayes, here to see Mr. Wolfe."
The woman's fingers stilled. Her gaze flicked up, assessing her, before a slight smirk tugged at her lips.
"The new secretary?"
Scarlett didn't miss the undercurrent of amusement, as if she were already counting down the days until Scarlett quit.
"Yes."
The receptionist pressed a button on her earpiece. "Miranda, she's here."
While she waited, Scarlett let her gaze sweep the lobby—modern, pristine, and devoid of warmth. Abstract art hung on the walls, an attempt to soften the coldness, but the place still felt impersonal.
Her stomach tightened—not with nerves, but with readiness. She had worked too hard to let a difficult boss shake her.
A familiar voice echoed in her mind.
"Scarlett, you have to stop being so stubborn. You can't do everything on your own."
Her mother's words, spoken years ago, back when Scarlett had walked away from everything that had once defined her—her family's wealth, their expectations, the life they had carved out for her.
She had left it all behind.
She had built herself up with nothing but sheer determination and an unrelenting need to prove she could stand without anyone's help.
And that wasn't going to change now.
The sharp click-clack of heels snapped Scarlett back to the present as Miranda Collins—head of HR—strode toward her, dressed in a navy dress that screamed authority.
"Follow me," Miranda said curtly, barely looking at Scarlett before turning on her heel.
Scarlett fell into step beside her, keeping pace despite Miranda's brisk strides.
"You should know," Miranda began, glancing at her sideways, "Mr. Wolfe does not tolerate mistakes. Or incompetence. His previous secretary lasted three months."
Scarlett met her gaze evenly. "I don't intend to make mistakes."
Miranda's lips twitched. Not quite approval, but something close.
They passed a row of sleek glass-walled conference rooms before stopping outside a towering black door.
"Wait here," Miranda instructed.
Before Scarlett could respond, a voice interrupted them.
"New recruit?"
Scarlett turned to see a man watching her with a knowing smirk. He was older, maybe in his late thirties, dressed in an expensive charcoal suit. The sharpness in his gaze suggested he was someone important.Miranda's posture stiffened. "Ms. Hayes, this is Robert Langley, our CFO."
Scarlett extended a polite hand. "A pleasure, Mr. Langley."
He didn't shake it.
Instead, he studied her, assessing, before chuckling under his breath. "You look competent. But then again, so did the last one."
Scarlett didn't blink. "Perhaps she lacked the right temperament."
Miranda sucked in a breath.
Langley's smirk widened. "Is that so? Well, we'll see how long you last."
With that, he walked away, shaking his head.
Scarlett exhaled slowly.
She had seen men like him before—ones who assumed a woman in her position was temporary, replaceable.
They were always the easiest to prove wrong.
Miranda, after a moment, pushed open the doors.
"Sir, your new secretary is here."
Adrian Wolfe
He sat behind an imposing black desk, the city skyline stretching behind him. The late morning sun cast sharp shadows across his chiseled features—a strong jaw, high cheekbones, and piercing gray eyes that missed nothing.
The man exuded power, but not in an overt way. It was in his stillness, the way he commanded a room without needing to speak.
Scarlett had expected an air of authority, but standing in front of him, she realized it was something else entirely—something sharper, more calculating.
He didn't look up.
"You're five minutes early," he said, his voice deep and smooth, like a blade sliding through silk.
Scarlett lifted a brow. "Would you prefer I wait outside for five minutes, Mr. Wolfe?"
That made him look up.
For a moment, silence stretched between them. His gaze was razor-sharp, dissecting her with a single glance. Most people probably fidgeted under that scrutiny. She didn't.
Miranda stiffened beside her, as if expecting Adrian to dismiss her on the spot.
Then, unexpectedly, the corner of his mouth lifted—a mere fraction. Not a smile. Something else.
"Miranda, leave us."
Miranda hesitated but obeyed, the heavy doors clicking shut behind her.
Scarlett remained still, waiting.
Adrian leaned back in his chair, one hand tapping idly against his desk. "You know my schedule?"
"Yes," she said without hesitation. "I reviewed it last night."
His fingers stilled. "My expectations?"
"To anticipate your needs before you voice them, keep distractions away, and ensure everything runs efficiently."
A slow, almost amused hum left his throat. "You memorized that, didn't you?"
"Would you rather I be unprepared?"
A flicker of approval crossed his face.
She had expected Adrian Wolfe to be cold and commanding, but this was different. He wasn't just a powerful CEO—he was a man who thrived in control, someone who could make a person feel small without raising his voice.
Scarlett wasn't going to let him.
He studied her for a long moment before speaking again. "You'll be tested."
"Of course," she said evenly. "I would expect nothing less."
A beat of silence. Then:
"Good."
It wasn't praise, exactly. But it wasn't dismissal, either.
Adrian's gaze flicked back to his laptop, already moving on.
Scarlett exhaled slowly, turned to leave—but then, on impulse, she stepped forward and straightened a document on his desk, aligning the edges perfectly.
Adrian's gaze snapped to hers, unreadable.
"Your meeting with Mr. Callahan was moved up by an hour," she said smoothly. "I've already rescheduled your calls accordingly."
For the first time, Adrian paused.
His hand, which had been tapping idly against the desk, went still.
A slow smirk—dangerous, intrigued—ghosted across his lips.
Scarlett didn't give him the satisfaction of a reaction. She turned and walked out, feeling the weight of his gray-eyed gaze lingering on her long after the doors shut behind her.
As she stepped into the hallway, whispers from nearby employees reached her ears.
"She won't last a week."
"Think she'll cry before lunch?"
Scarlett ignored them.
Let them talk.
She had survived far worse than Adrian Wolfe.
And whether he knew it or not…
He had just met his match.
Scarlett Hayes had survived the first half of the day.
And not just survived—she had navigated the cold, clinical world of Wolfe Enterprises with measured grace.
Now, as she sat in the employee lounge for lunch, she felt the weight of curious gazes. The large, open space was sleek, filled with muted tones and minimalist furniture, much like the rest of the building. Employees sat in their designated groups—executives at one table, junior staff at another, assistants scattered across the room.
She could feel the unspoken rule in the air: outsiders were watched.
Scarlett didn't falter. With practiced ease, she placed her meal down and began eating, pretending not to notice the quiet murmurs.
"The new one actually lasted until lunch."
"She looks confident, but they all do at first."
"Bet she won't last a week."
Scarlett kept her expression neutral, cutting into her food with deliberate movements. If they thought whispers would shake her, they were mistaken.
"Mind if I sit here?"
She glanced up to see a woman in her mid-twenties, balancing a coffee cup and a salad. Dark curls framed her face, and her glasses gave her a sharp, intelligent look.
"Go ahead," Scarlett said, gesturing at the empty chair.
The woman sat, taking a sip of her coffee before introducing herself. "Emily Parker. Junior assistant in the finance department. You're the new secretary, right?"
"Scarlett Hayes," she confirmed.
Emily studied her for a moment. "You don't look scared."
Scarlett arched a brow. "Should I be?"
Emily let out a quiet chuckle. "Most people in your position are by now. Working under Adrian Wolfe… well, let's just say, it's not easy."
Scarlett merely took another bite of her food. "I don't scare easily."
Emily seemed to consider her before offering a knowing smirk. "Good. It'll be fun watching everyone underestimate you."
Scarlett returned the smirk but said nothing.
As lunch continued, Emily filled her in on the office dynamics—the cutthroat politics, the unspoken hierarchy, and, of course, Adrian Wolfe's reputation.
"He doesn't keep secretaries long," Emily admitted. "They either quit or get fired within months. He's… demanding."
Scarlett merely hummed in response. She had handled worse.
Before she could say more, a shift in the room's atmosphere caught her attention. A few employees stiffened, whispering in hushed tones.
Scarlett followed their gazes and spotted a tall, well-dressed man striding past the lounge. He was in his late thirties, his presence exuding confidence. Unlike Adrian, his sharpness carried an edge of amusement rather than intimidation.
"Robert Langley," Emily whispered, barely moving her lips. "CFO. And one of the most ruthless men in the company."
Langley barely spared the lounge a glance as he disappeared down the hall.
Scarlett didn't react, but something told her she would cross paths with him again.
The office gossip didn't fail to get to the ears of Ethan Carter, Adrian's Best friend. He had been in the finance department when he caught wind of the murmurs—yet another secretary had stepped into the lion's den.
"How long do you think she'll last?" someone asked.
Ethan smirked as he walked past the gossiping employees.
"The poor girl probably doesn't know what she signed up for."
He made a mental note to ask Adrian about her later.
The day was soon over and by the time Scarlett returned home, exhaustion clung to her limbs, but she refused to acknowledge it.
Her apartment was small but warm, a stark contrast to the sterile world of Wolfe Enterprises. The scent of fresh coffee filled the air as she dropped her keys onto the counter.
She was greeted by her sister, Olivia, who stood in the kitchen, stirring a pot on the stove.
"You survived," Olivia teased, setting down the spoon.
Scarlett smirked. "Barely. But yes."
Olivia studied her with concern. "And Adrian Wolfe?"
Scarlett exhaled, setting her bag down. "Exactly as they say—sharp, intimidating, and completely unreadable."
Olivia frowned. "Are you sure about this job? You don't need to prove anything to anyone, Scarlett." Though she had her concerns, Olivia trusted her sister to conquer, she knew Scarlett's strength was resilience and that was why she encouraged her to take on the job.
Scarlett's jaw tightened slightly " I know."
But Olivia wasn't wrong.
Still, she wasn't quitting. Not now.
"Just be careful," Olivia murmured.
Scarlett nodded, appreciating her sister's concern, even if she didn't voice it. How about this
Adrian was reviewing reports when his phone vibrated.
He almost ignored it, but when Ethan Carter called this late, it was either important… or mildly irritating.
"Still at the office?" Ethan's voice carried the easy amusement of a man who had already poured himself a drink.
"You know I am."
Ethan clicked his tongue. "And people say I have no life."
Adrian exhaled. "Did you call to make pointless observations, or do you have an actual reason?"
"Oh, I have a reason." There was a pause. "I heard about your new secretary."
Adrian's fingers stilled on his laptop. His voice remained neutral. "And?"
Ethan hummed. "Office gossip says she's got a backbone. That true?"
Adrian thought of the way Scarlett had looked him in the eye, unflinching, when most people stumbled over their words. He thought of her aligning the papers on his desk with practiced ease—like someone who understood order, control.
Interesting, maybe. But noteworthy? No.
"She's competent," he said simply.
Ethan laughed. "Just competent? So why is everyone already talking about her?"
Adrian didn't answer.
Because, truthfully? He hadn't thought about her since she left his office. At least, not in a way that mattered.
"Don't tell me you're actually interested in this one," Ethan teased.
Adrian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Ethan."
"Alright, alright," Ethan relented, though the smirk in his voice was unmistakable. "I'll let you get back to your spreadsheets and world domination. But mark my words—this one's different."
Adrian ended the call without a response.
As she lay in bed that night, exhausted yet satisfied with how the day had gone, she had no idea that her name had already begun carving a space in conversations she wasn't part of.
That a man who never spared a thought on his secretaries had paused, even for a second.
She had no idea that Adrian Wolfe's world—cold, calculated, and untouched by anything unnecessary was about to be disrupted.
She just knew one thing—
She was ready to face whatever came her way.