Isla's desk
Isla arrived at her office, still trying to shake off past weeks' humiliation. She had promised herself she would remain focused, keep her mind on work, and forget about the mall guy entirely.
The morning started off quietly, her desk was neatly arranged, emails sorted out, files neatly organized and coffee freshly brewed. She breathed slowly, feeling happy that she was almost done with the work she was assigned.
"Isla." A familiar voice called her.
Her chest froze. I know that voice. She thought to herself as she looked up, and of course it was him, her ex husband, Max. Standing there like he had every right to, perfectly groomed, expensive suit and the same smug expression that used to terrify her in silence.
"Max..." she managed to speak, forcing herself to remain calm.
"Well," he smiled lazily, his eyes roaming over her. "Isn't this a suprise?" His smirk made her stomach flip.
"You shouldn't be here. This is a work environment." Her tone was steady, and her fingers curled into palm beneath the desk.
"Oh, corperate princess, I belong here," he said calmly. "In fact… I have a meeting." Her breath hitched.
"A meeting?"
"With the CEO." Her world tilted before her eyes.
Before she could process it, he stepped closer. Too close. The scent of his cologne dragged memories she had buried. The shattered glass, the slammed door, hitting her uncontrollably, voice yelling her name and her running away from him. He placed his two hands on her shoulder like her superior and she froze.
As she stepped backwards, she mistakenly knocked off her coffee on the table, spilling over her keyboard, over her documents, and the contract she had prepare for the CEO's scheduled meeting.
"Oh, no...." her hands shook violently as she took the table towel to clean off the spill.
He looked out her and let out a little laught. "You've always been a clumsy little thing."
"Leave," she whispered. "Please"
"Be careful Isla, you wouldn't want to make a mess infront of everyone." Her chest burned, not from the coffee, but from the humiliation.
He leaned closer, voice dropping,
"I'm back, Isla. And this time, I'm taking you with me."
Her breath caught,
He turned and left, but the damage was already done. Her thoughts were shaking, her thoughts scattered, and her focus completely gone. Footsteps echoed behind them. Max strengthened up, while Isla looked behind him. And there he was, the CEO. Tall, in control, cold authority wrapped in an expensive suit. His eyes first landed on the split coffee, then on her trembling hands, and then on Max. Silence thickened between them.
Max smiled politely, "Perfect timing, Mr. Veyor. I believe we have a meeting."
"Is that so?" Kaelen asked, moving his gaze to Max.
"Yes. Maximus Knight from Knight Cooperation." Max extended his hand confidently.
Kaelen shook it immediately, firm and calculated.
"There is a reception to sit and wait for my arrival, not here. Whatever business you have with Miss Merrin can wait, not come to meet her in her office." Kaelen spoke, not rudely, but cold and authoritative. "Miss Isla," Kaelen said, not looking at her, "bring the contract to the conference room."
Her stomach dropped. The contract! It's ruined.
"Yes... sir."
Max gave her one last glance. Victorious. He thought before walking toward the conference room. The CEO lingered for half a second. His eyes flicked to her shaking hands.
"Compose yourself," Kaelen said quietly, not unkind, not soft. Just observant.
Then he walked away.
CONFERENCE ROOM
Isla entered with a reprinted contract. Rushed, barely checked.
Her pulse thundered in her ears. She could vividly hear it.
Max sat confidently across the table, on one of the leather chairs, legs crossed, arms resting on one leg and the other on the arm rest like he had the whole time in the world. The CEO sat at the head of the table, still, unreadable and power radiated from him without effort.
"Begin," the CEO said calmly.
Isla swallowed. "Yes, sir."
She stepped forward and placed the contract in front of him first, then one in front of Max. Her fingers brushed the table slightly and she quickly withdrew them, afraid even that small sound would echo too loudly.
The CEO flipped through the file.
Page one, there was silence.
The ticking of the wall clock suddenly sounded aggressive.
Page two. Isla felt her throat tighten.
Page three. Max leaned back, watching her instead of the document. His eyes weren't curious, they were entertained.
Kaelen didn't look up immediately. He simply read one paragraph again, slowly. Then closed the file. The sound of it snapping shut made Isla flinch. His jaw tightened.
"These numbers are incorrect."
The room froze, Isla's heart collapsed into her stomach. she looked down.
"Wrong figures, wrong projections, and wrong clause reference"
Her mind had been too scattered.
"I— I'm sorry, sir. I'll correct it immediately."
"These projections," he said quietly, tapping the document once, "are inconsistent with the figures submitted yesterday."
Her mind went blank.
"I—" she forced her voice to be steady, "I updated the numbers this morning, sir."
"Without approval?"
"No, sir. I— I must have mistakenly attached—"
"The wrong draft," he finished for her.
Silence.
The air thickened. Max let out a faint hum of amusement.
"Is there a problem?" Max asked smoothly, though his tone suggested he was enjoying every second. The CEO looked at Isla nott angry, observant.
"You prepared this yourself?"
"Yes, sir."
"Alone?"
"Yes, sir."
Her voice felt smaller with each answer.
The CEO opened the file again and flipped to the financial breakdown page. "These numbers reduce projected returns by 14%."
Isla's stomach dropped.
14%? Her hands began to tremble.
"That would make this agreement significantly less favorable to my company," Max added lightly. "One might think it was intentional."
Her head snapped up.
"It wasn't!" too quick and too emotional. The CEO's gaze sharpened.
"I assure you, sir," she said, forcing control, "it was a drafting error. I will correct it immediately."
The CEO leaned back in his chair.
Silence again. He studied her pale face and trembling fingers.
The faint stain of coffee, still at the edge of her sleeve.
"You seem distracted today, Miss Isla."
The statement wasn't loud, but it cut deeper than shouting.
"I'm not, sir," she lied.
Max's eyes gleamed.
"She does seem a bit unsettled," Max added casually. "Perhaps personal matters are interfering with professional responsibilities."
Her pulse roared in her ears.
The CEO's gaze shifted to Max, a subtle change in temperature.
"Mr. Knight," the CEO said evenly, "I evaluate my staff based on performance, not assumptions."
A warning, soft and controlled.
Max smiled faintly. "Of course."
The CEO closed the file again.
"Miss Isla."
"Yes, sir."
"You have ten minutes to correct this document. Proper figures. Verified projections. Cross-check every clause."
"Yes, sir."
"And if there is one more inconsistency..."
He let the sentence trail off.
He didn't need to finish it for her to understand.
She gathered the documents quickly, but as she turned, one paper slipped from her stack and fluttered to the floor. The sound was small, but to her, it was deafening. Max chuckled under his breath while Kaelen watched carefully.
She bent down, picked it up, and left the room without meeting either of their eyes.
Inside the room, silence remained.
Max leaned back again.
"You might want to reconsider your staffing choices," he said. "Emotional instability can be costly."
The CEO's expression did not change.
"She's one of my most efficient employees."
Max arched a brow. "Doesn't look like it today."
There was a pause, then kaelen spoke,
"Do you always make it a habit to unsettle my staff before negotiations?"
Max's smile faltered — just slightly.
"I don't know what you mean."
The CEO's eyes held his, cold and sharp.
"I don't tolerate interference in my company." The words were calm, but unmistakably territorial.
Max adjusted in his seat. For the first time since entering the building, he looked mildly challenged.
"Well," Max said smoothly, masking it, "let's hope your employee regains her competence in ten minutes."
The CEO glanced at the door briefly.
"She will."
And somehow, it didn't sound like a guess.