The following morning, Kane Corporation buzzed with activity. The boardrooms were filled with staff finalizing reports, while Aria Vale moved through the corridors like a shadow — poised, controlled, aware of every gaze.
Vivienne Wynn had escalated her plans. She orchestrated a meeting with a key client, deliberately feeding them misleading information about Aria's latest designs. The goal was simple: make Aria look incompetent in front of an important partner, damaging her reputation before she could consolidate her influence.
Aria arrived early, reviewing the client dossier. Her sharp eyes detected inconsistencies immediately. Vivienne. She allowed herself the smallest smirk. Again.
The meeting room was pristine, sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows. Aria entered with calm authority, greeting the client with a professional smile. Lucien followed quietly, taking a position slightly behind her — protective, observant, and unspokenly proud.
"Good morning," Aria began smoothly. "I've prepared an updated overview of our design strategy for the upcoming collection."
Vivienne sat near the client, feigning interest, her expression perfectly controlled. Inside, she seethed, anticipating Aria's potential falter.
As expected, the client raised a question, referencing the misleading information Vivienne had planted. A flicker of confusion crossed the client's face — the trap had been set.
But Aria was ready. With a calm, confident tone, she addressed every point. "I understand your concern," she said smoothly. "However, the figures have been carefully calculated to reflect market trends and consumer feedback. Let me walk you through the process…"
Her explanation was meticulous, precise, and persuasive. By the time she finished, the client was nodding in approval, impressed by her expertise.
Lucien watched silently, his admiration and protective instincts rising with every word. No one undermines her and succeeds, he thought. A part of him wanted to step in, to ensure she was safe — but he resisted. He wanted her to claim victory on her own, and she was doing it effortlessly.
Vivienne's smile was brittle. Her plan had failed spectacularly in front of witnesses. "Impossible," she muttered under her breath. "How does she do it every time?"
Aria, meanwhile, allowed herself a fleeting thought: Every move she makes, I anticipate. Every step, I counter. Her calm exterior remained intact, but inside, a small thrill ran through her — this was the game she had trained for, the battlefield she now commanded.
After the meeting, Lucien stepped forward, his voice low, almost intimate. "You handled that brilliantly. Again. But I can't stop worrying about what Vivienne might try next."
Aria tilted her head, meeting his gaze evenly, a faint, knowing smile touching her lips. "Worry less, Mr. Kane. I've got it covered. But thank you for caring."
For a heartbeat, their eyes held — a silent exchange loaded with emotion, the pull between them undeniable. Outside the conference room, Vivienne's fury simmered. She would stop at nothing, and Aria could feel it closing in like a shadow.
The war has begun, Aria thought, chest tightening slightly. And this time… it will be far more dangerous.