Disclaimer
[ This story is a work of fiction. All characters, events, companies, and places are fictional and created for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
This novel contains themes of emotional conflict, power dynamics, and mature situations intended for a mature audience. Reader discretion is advised. ]
The first time I ruined Lucas Blackwell's life…
I was seventeen.
The second time?
I didn't even know I had done it.
And now he was standing right in front of me.
Powerful. Untouchable. Dangerous.
The man every magazine called the youngest billionaire in the country.
And the man who hated me more than anyone alive.
My breath caught as I stepped into the massive glass office, my heels echoing against the marble floor.
Blackwell Corporation's headquarters was bigger than anything I had ever seen. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire city. The air smelled like polished wood and expensive power.
Behind the desk sat Lucas Blackwell.
He didn't stand.
He didn't greet me.
He just watched me.
Cold gray eyes. Sharp jawline. Dark suit that probably cost more than my entire apartment rent for a year.
And that expression…
Like I was something he had been waiting to destroy.
My fingers tightened around my bag.
"Mr. Blackwell," I said carefully.
His gaze moved slowly over my face.
Recognition flashed.
Then something darker.
Something dangerous.
"Well," he murmured.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Look what fate dragged back into my office."
My stomach dropped.
He remembers.
Of course he remembers.
Ten years ago, one scandal destroyed everything in his life.
And my name was attached to it.
I forced myself to stay still.
"I'm here for the marketing manager position."
A slow smile touched his lips.
But it wasn't friendly.
It was cruel.
"Are you?"
Lucas leaned back in his chair like a king examining a prisoner.
For a moment the room was silent.
Then he said the words that made my blood run cold.
"You really thought you could walk into my company…"
"…and I wouldn't recognize the girl who ruined me?"
My pulse hammered.
"I didn't ruin you," I said quietly.
His eyes darkened.
"Oh, Isabella."
He stood up.
Six feet of pure authority.
Each step he took toward me made the air heavier.
When he stopped in front of me, his voice dropped low.
Dangerously low.
"You destroyed everything I had."
My throat tightened.
People said Lucas Blackwell was ruthless.
That he crushed anyone who crossed him.
And right now—
I was standing directly in his line of fire.
He looked down at the resume in his hand.
Then slowly tore it in half.
The sound echoed through the silent office.
My heart sank.
So this was it.
Rejection.
Humiliation.
I turned to leave.
But his voice stopped me.
"Wait."
I froze.
Lucas walked back to his desk and pressed a button.
"HR?" he said calmly.
"Yes, sir."
"Cancel all other candidates."
I frowned.
Then he looked directly at me.
Eyes sharp.
Smile dangerous.
"She's hired."
My confusion lasted exactly two seconds.
Because the next words he spoke made my stomach twist.
"She'll work directly under me."
Lucas Blackwell's gaze burned into mine.
"And this time…"
"…I'll make sure she regrets ever coming back into my life."