Lia stood frozen in Leo Grant's office, the contract lying between them like a live grenade.
Her signature line stared at her.
Her pulse thundered.
"I'm not signing this," she repeated softly, though her voice shook.
Leo never budged.
Didn't blink.
He just looked at her with that cold, unreadable expression that could make anyone fold.
"You want this job," he said. "I'm offering you a way to keep it."
"A way?" Lia scoffed. "It feels more like a trap."
His jaw tightened, but not in anger, rather in what suspiciously looked like frustration.
"This isn't personal," he said.
"Everything with you feels personal," she shot back before she could stop herself.
Silence thickened between them.
Lia turned away, trying to breathe. He was impossible—cold and demanding, a walking corporate storm. And yet… she couldn't walk out. Not after finally getting a chance to change her life.
She picked up the contract again with trembling fingers.
Strict work regulations.
No lateness.
Daily reports.
Compulsory check-ins with him.
Too much control.
Too much… Leo.
Her heart thudded painfully.
"If I sign this," she whispered, "you'll stop humiliating me in front of everyone?
His eyes darkened. "I never intended to humiliate you."
Lia looked up sharply.
For a moment—just a moment—she saw something human in him.
Then it was gone.
She exhaled, steadying herself, and finally pressed the pen to the page.
"I'll sign," she said, "but I'm not doing this because you intimidated me." Leo's eyes locked on hers. "Good," he replied. "I prefer you resist." The agreement was signed—reluctantly. But neither of them comprehended what this had truly set in motion.