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Chapter 52 - Flashback
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2025-11-18 21:17:13
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HIRED BY THE RUTHLESS CEO Chapter 53 - What Henry Sees
Aria’s POVI answered Henry’s call and he pleaded we met to discuss something important.The coffee shop Henry chose is deliberately neutral—a place neither of us has been before, halfway between my apartment and Cross Tower. When I arrive, he’s already at a corner table, looking like he hasn’t slept in days.“Thanks for coming.” He stands as I approach, and I see the relief wash over his face. “I wasn’t sure you would.”“Of course I would.” I take off my coat and sit, offering a small smile. “Sophie’s been worried about you both. And honestly, so have I.”His shoulders relax slightly. A waitress appears, and I order chamomile tea—something to calm the nervous flutter in my chest.When she leaves, Henry leans forward. “He’s not himself, Aria. I know you’ve been keeping your distance, and I understand why. But this isn’t just—he’s really struggling.”“I know.” I wrap my hands around the edge of the table. “I’ve seen the news. The leave of absence. I just—I needed space to figure out wh
HIRED BY THE RUTHLESS CEO Chapter 52 - Flashback
Aria POVThe apartment is dark when I get home, which means Sophie's still at her evening yoga class. Good. I need a few minutes to process before she interrogates me about why I look like I've been crying.I drop my bag by the door and head straight for the kitchen, pulling out the cheap wine we keep for emergencies. This qualifies.Three weeks at TechVista Solutions and I'm finally finding my rhythm. The work is challenging but fair. My colleagues respect me. Julian treats me like an equal, not a project or a pawn. I'm building something real.So why does my chest feel hollow?I pour wine into a mug—we still haven't unpacked the wine glasses from the move—and settle on the couch. My laptop sits on the coffee table where I left it this morning. Against my better judgment, I open it and pull up the business news.The headline still makes my stomach clench: CROSS CEO TAKES LEAVE OF ABSENCE IN WAKE OF LEADERSHIP CRISISI've read the article four times today. It doesn't get easie
HIRED BY THE RUTHLESS CEO Chapter 51 - Mother’s Words
Damien POVMy mother hasn't left her house in years. Last I saw her was when I invited Aria over her apartment. The fact that she's standing in my lobby, perfectly composed in Chanel armor, means whatever she has to say will destroy me; but alas, I was wrong. "Not here." I glance at the receptionist already pretending not to stare. "Upstairs."Henry starts to follow, but my mother's look stops him cold. This is between us.The executive floor feels different now—like I'm already a ghost haunting my own empire. I lead her into a private conference room, close the blinds. She doesn't sit. Neither do I."I've been calling for weeks," she says without preamble. "You haven't answered.""I've been busy.""Being eviscerated in the press?" Her tone is sharp. "I read the articles, Damien. The board investigation. The inappropriate relationship with David Holt's daughter." She pauses. "The woman whose family you swore to destroy."My jaw tightens. "If you came to lecture me""I came because yo
HIRED BY THE RUTHLESS CEO Chapter 50 – Confessions and Consequences
Damien’s POVThe boardroom feels like an execution chamber.Twelve board members sit around the mahogany table, their expressions ranging from concerned to hostile. Richard Hastings—yes, that Hastings—has been invited as a “neutral observer” since Victoria’s out on bail; the police are outside, they are taking him away after the board meeting. The irony would be funny if it weren’t so perfectly designed to humiliate me.Elena sits to my right, Henry to my left. Both of them look ready to go to war for me.I’m not sure I want them to.“Thank you all for coming on short notice.” Chairman Morrison opens the meeting with practiced gravity. “We’re here to discuss concerns that have been raised regarding Mr. Cross’s recent performance and decision-making.”“Concerns raised by Victoria Cross,” Henry interjects sharply. “A woman currently facing criminal charges for corporate espionage.”“Concerns raised by multiple board members,” Morrison corrects smoothly. “Based on observable patterns o
HIRED BY THE RUTHLESS CEO Chapter 49 – The Slow Collapse
Damien’s POVThree weeks without her, and I’m coming apart at the seams.I’m standing in the conference room, staring at quarterly projections I’ve read five times without absorbing a single number. Around the table, executives wait for my input. Tara Michaels, my COO, has asked me a question twice now.“Damien?” Her voice cuts through the fog. “Your thoughts on the Meridian acquisition?”I blink. Meridian. Right. The tech startup we’ve been courting for months. The deal that should have my full attention because it’s worth forty million and could expand our AI division exponentially.“Push it to Q3,” I hear myself say.Silence. Henry’s looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have.“We discussed this last week,” Tara says carefully. “If we don’t move now, Hastings Tech will…”“I said push it.” My voice is sharper than intended. “We’re not ready.”The lie tastes bitter. We are ready. I’m not ready. I’m not ready for anything that requires me to think clearly, strategize effective
HIRED BY THE RUTHLESS CEO Chapter 48 - New Beginnings
Aria POVMy first day at TechVista Solutions feels like stepping into sunlight after months in a cave.The office is located in Culver City—open floor plan with natural light flooding through massive windows, plants everywhere, exposed brick walls covered in collaborative whiteboards filled with colorful brainstorming. The dress code is business casual, which means I can finally retire the armor of severe suits I wore at Cross Technologies.People smile here. Actually smile."Aria!" Julian greets me in the lobby, genuine warmth in his expression. We've found our footing in the weeks since our parking garage conversation—friends, colleagues, nothing more. "Ready for the grand tour?"He introduces me to the marketing team. There's Priya, the senior strategist who immediately pulls me into a discussion about our latest campaign. Adrian, a creative director who shares my love of data-driven storytelling. Ethan, the social media manager with infectious energy.They don't look at me w
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