The next morning, Lia walked into the office with the signed contract heavy in her bag—and even heavier in her mind.
She wasn't sure what bothered her more: the rules themselves… or the fact that Leo Grant now had a direct line into every part of her job.
Whispers greeted her the second she stepped into her department.
"She signed something with the CEO."
"I bet she got in trouble."
"Or special treatment."
Lia pursed her lips and continued to walk.
But the real shock was when Megan, her sharp-tongued coworker, leaned in with a smirk.
"Interesting morning, Lia," she lilted. "The CEO asked for you. Personally."
Lia's heart tripped.
"What? Why?"
Megan shrugged. "No idea. But he never asks for rookies."
As Lia neared Leo's office, she made herself take a breath. She resolved not to be intimidated today.
When she came in, Leo didn't look up immediately and just continued signing documents with an expression carved from stone.
"You're late," he said flatly.
"I'm two minutes early," Lia replied.
"Then you're late for being early."
He finally looked up, his eyes cool and unreadable.
Her frustration spiked. "You're impossible."
"And yet you agreed to work under me," he said in return.
Before she could retort, he slid a folder across the desk.
"I reviewed your past work," he said. "You're more talented than you let on."
Lia blinked. "You… read my work?"
"Of course." His gaze hardened. "I don't make contracts with people I don't understand."
Her breath caught. Leo Grant—cold billionaire, emotionless CEO-- had been looking into her. And that meant he already knew more about her secrets than she wanted anyone to.