Novel-novel oleh Harmony

The morning of the Hudson Yards groundbreaking was draped in a thick, gray fog that rolled off the river, making the towering cranes look like prehistoric giants emerging from the mist. For Lucian, this wasn't just a construction site; it was a flag planted in the heart of the city, a testament to the Blackwood legacy and the new charitable trust he had woven into its foundation. Ava arrived early, her headset already buzzing with logistics. She was dressed in a sharp charcoal suit and a hard hat branded with the Blackwood logo. She looked less like an assistant and more like a general overseeing a battlefield. "The press is gathered at the north perimeter," Ava briefed Lucian as he stepped out of his black SUV. He looked striking even in a high-visibility vest, his presence commanding the chaotic dust of the site. "The Mayor's office has confirmed, but there’s a crowd of protestors gathered by the main gate. They’re carrying Sterling Global placards." Lucian adjusted his cuffs,

Monday morning arrived with a sharp, crisp clarity that felt different from any other start to the week. Ava didn't need her third alarm to wake up. The adrenaline from the weekend was still humming in her veins, a quiet reminder of the emerald velvet and the way the world had felt when Lucian held her hand on the dance floor. As she stepped into the office, the usual morning bustle felt hushed. People weren't just typing; they were whispering. Heads turned as she walked past the glass partitions of the marketing department. By the time she reached her desk, she saw why. On top of her morning mail sat a copy of the New York Ledger. The front page of the "City Life" section featured a high-resolution photo from the gala. It was the moment Lucian had led her onto the dance floor. The lighting caught the shimmer of her dress and the uncharacteristically soft expression on his face as he looked down at her. The headline read: The Ice King’s New Strategic Partner? Blackwood Debuts

The email had arrived three days ago, concise and unambiguous. “Attendance required at the annual Blackwood Gala. Responsibilities include managing client interactions, coordinating schedules, and ensuring flawless execution. Business attire mandatory.” Ava had stared at the screen, her pulse quickening. Gala. Hundreds of influential people, clients, and associates—all watching, assessing, judging. And her. Not for social grace, not for charm, but for competence. She wasn’t here to mingle, to laugh, to be seen. She was here to work. To ensure the event reflected Blackwood Enterprises at its absolute best. She had accepted immediately. No hesitation. No questions. Work first, always. The stakes were too high for anything else. She had her checklist ready in her mind: anticipate every question, plan every move, control every outcome. Nothing could be left to chance. Now, as she adjusted the strap of her clutch and smoothed the front of her gown, she reminded herself of the same ma

​The morning light was gorgeous as it filtered through the skyscraper’s glass walls. It turned the polished marble floors of Blackwood Enterprises into a sea of gold and amber. Ava Reed took a steadying breath and adjusted the strap of her bag. She gave the hem of her blazer a quick tug, making sure everything was perfectly in place. ​Today had to go right. She wasn't that nervous girl anymore, the one who used to fumble through interviews while worrying about her mother’s medical bills. That version of Ava was in the past. Today’s Ava was poised, professional, and ready for anything. ​As she stepped out of the elevator, the office was already buzzing. It was a high-end world of quiet whispers, the smell of expensive coffee, and the rhythmic sound of typing. She stood a little taller, determined to make her mark. ​Then she saw him. ​Lucian Blackwood walked through the office like the world revolved around him. He had dark hair that stayed perfectly in place and a suit that loo

Ava Reed could feel the city breathing around her. The scent of rain mixed with exhaust and coffee in the air, and even something as ordinary as the weather seemed to hint that today was different. She gripped the strap of her leather bag tightly, her knuckles white against the smooth surface. For a week she had imagined this moment, visualized it in endless detail. She had pictured walking through the towering glass doors of Blackwood Enterprises, stepping into the orbit of Lucian Blackwood, the man whose reputation alone could make or break a career. And yet now, standing beneath the shadow of the skyscraper, she felt her confidence waver. One breath. One step forward. She could do this. She had to do this. The taxi ride had been more stressful than she anticipated. Traffic crawled as if the city itself wanted to test her patience. Every honk and impatient shout from other drivers made her stomach twist in nervous tension. She had left an hour earlier than she needed to, calculate