The morning sun filtered through the glass walls of Kane Corporation, casting long, sharp lines across the polished floors. Aria Vale arrived at her office, coffee in hand, already reviewing the revisions from last night's gala sketches. Her mind was alert, every thought measured.
Vivienne Wynn had not wasted a moment. The subtle sabotage she had attempted yesterday — the misplaced measurement — was only the beginning. Today, she had orchestrated something bolder: a confidential client email, intentionally misleading, designed to make Aria appear careless.
As Aria opened her inbox, a familiar prickling awareness told her something was off. One message in particular stood out — the phrasing slightly off, the tone unusually abrupt. Her sharp eyes narrowed as she traced the email's origin. Vivienne.
She allowed herself a small, almost imperceptible smirk. Predictable.
Aria immediately drafted a calm, professional response that corrected the misdirection without drawing suspicion. In her mind, she filed the incident as both a warning and a reminder: Vivienne was watching, plotting, and underestimated her at her own peril.
At that moment, Lucien appeared at her doorway. His presence, commanding yet unexpectedly gentle, made her heart skip a fraction of a beat — the pull she had fought so hard to suppress.
"You're early," Aria said, voice smooth.
"I couldn't stay away," he replied, stepping closer. His dark eyes scanned the office, then rested on her. "I saw the email. Was it… an error?"
Aria lifted a brow. "A miscommunication," she said, carefully neutral. "Nothing more."
Lucien's gaze lingered. "You handled it… effortlessly. But don't let anyone underestimate you, Aria. Especially someone like Vivienne Wynn."
Her lips curved into a faint, controlled smile. "I've learned not to."
He hesitated, as though wanting to say more, but the corner of his mouth twitched with unspoken thoughts. "Good. Just… be careful. Some people won't play fair."
Aria's chest fluttered briefly, but she maintained her calm exterior. "Fairness isn't a requirement to succeed."
Across the building, Vivienne clenched her fists at her desk. Her carefully laid trap had failed. The client had responded positively to Aria's correction, praising her professionalism and attention to detail. Vivienne's frustration mounted, her green eyes flashing with anger.
"She's clever… far too clever," Vivienne muttered, her voice low and sharp. "But clever isn't invincible. Not yet."
Aria, meanwhile, leaned back in her chair, eyes closing for a brief moment. Every move she makes, I anticipate. Every step, I counter. This is only the beginning.
The office was quiet, but tension lingered like a static charge. Lucien's warning still echoed in her mind, blending with her own carefully hidden emotions. For now, the day ended with a small victory, but the war had only just begun.
And somewhere deep inside, a quiet, forbidden thought whispered: Lucien… if only you knew the truth.