Morning sunlight filtered through the glass towers, slicing through the mist of the city. Inside the luxury spa suite, Chantel lounged in a robe, a satisfied smile curving her lips.
"So she still went to the company after last night," she murmured, swirling her mimosa lazily.
Her friend, Marissa, looked up from her phone. "You mean that scholarship girl? What's her name again?"
"Valeria," Chantel said, her tone like silk hiding venom. "She walked into Leonard's car last night. So if I can't stop her from stepping into the company—" her smile sharpened, "..then I'll ruin her the moment she does."
Marissa grinned. "You're wicked."
"Realistic," Chantel corrected smoothly. "Let's see how the 'Harvard girl' handles a scandal."
And so the whispers began.
By the time Valeria's reached the corporate tower, rumor had already taken root in the walls. Assistants whispered near the elevators, phones buzzed quietly, eyes followed her with knowing glances.
"Did you hear? The Harvard girl was seen with Leonard last night."
"Really? I thought she got the grant because of her grades."
"Grades?" someone laughed softly. "More like favors. You know how these things go."
Valeria stepped out of the elevator lobby, shoulders squared, face composed. She heard fragments, the sharp edges of judgment hidden under polite tones.
Her lips pressed together. I can't waste energy on this. Let them talk. I'll prove myself where it matters.
Still, as she waited for the elevator, her mind flickered back to the morning—
The bra. The broken clasp. His eyes.
Her entire body flushed at the memory. Heat climbed up her neck, and she bit her lip, mortified.
Oh God… he saw me.
The elevator chimed open. Leonard waited beside her, calm as ever. "Miss Valeria, this way."
Her reflection in the mirrored walls showed a composed woman sleek ponytail, emerald dress crisp and neat but inside, her heart was an unsteady rhythm of nerves.
The conference room doors slid open with a soft hiss.
And there he was.
Adrian De Vere sat at the head of the table — the king of the modern world. His presence was overwhelming, magnetic in its stillness. The dark suit framed broad shoulders, a power so innate it didn't need words.
For a second, Valeria forgot to breathe.
"Now I see it… he doesn't just belong to another class he belongs to another world.
Heir of a royal lineage, commanding one of the wealthiest financial empires across Europe. Power radiated from him, quiet and absolute.
And me… I'm just a scholarship girl trying to keep my head above water. He's probably seen hundreds of women richer, prettier, more daring. What could he possibly see in me? ."
She swallowed the rising ache, forcing composure back into her face.
Across the room, Adrian's gaze lifted sharp, detached and locked onto her.
For a heartbeat, time fractured.
The image of her from that morning flashed unbidden flushed skin, trembling hands, lace barely holding. His jaw flexed, control slicing through the memory like a blade.
But his face remained unreadable. Cold. Ruthless.
The same steel expression he wore in every boardroom.
"Miss Valeria," he said finally, voice smooth as ice. "You may begin."
The room fell silent.
Valeria took a slow breath, clutching her file like a lifeline. Her fingers trembled slightly, then steadied. She stepped forward to the screen, connecting her slides.
As she began, her voice grew steady, strong a rhythm that carried purpose.
"Our project proposes a sustainable, organic lip balm derived from locally sourced ingredients. The formula focuses on natural hydration, combining fruit extracts and beeswax entirely chemical-free."
The words came alive as she spoke. She didn't notice, but even the air seemed to lean toward her. She was radiant when she spoke of her work passion eclipsing fear.
But across the room, a few of the office staff exchanged smirks, the rumors still clinging to the corners.
"Look at her confidence," someone whispered. "I guess charm gets you far."
Another giggled softly. "Must be nice to have Leonard as your driver and your link to the boss."
Leonard, who stood quietly at the back, shot them a glance sharp enough to silence them instantly.
Adrian didn't move, didn't react. But every flicker of disrespect in the room didn't escape his notice. His gaze, subtle but dangerous, passed over the whisperers once and they dropped their eyes.
Valeria clicked to the final slide. "Thank you for listening," she said softly, bowing her head.
For a moment, the entire conference room was silent too silent. Every officer, every board member sat frozen, as though time had stopped between her last word and the sound of their collective breath returning.
Then Adrian spoke.
"Impressive."
The single word hit like thunder. Heads turned instantly toward him.
Adrian never praised anyone. Not once in his career. His approval was the kind people spent years chasing and rarely caught.
Valeria nodded quickly, flustered yet grateful. "Thank you, sir."
"Good," he said, leaning back in his chair. "We'll proceed to the next phase next week. Leonard will coordinate the details."
As she turned to leave, she could feel his gaze lingering steady, unreadable, but carrying the faintest shadow of the morning they both pretended to forget.
Outside the glass doors, whispers picked up again, but this time they didn't touch her.
Because inside that room, for the first time, Adrian's cold, ruthless aura had shifted even if just slightly because of her.
And Chantel, far away, sipping her second coffee, had no idea that the girl she thought she'd humiliate had just left an entire boardroom speechless.