CHAPTER 4

The Following Morning

New York never slept.

Its streets were filled with impatient drivers, its towering skyscrapers reflected the morning sunlight, and its people moved with an urgency that made it seem as though the entire city was racing against time.

Sylvia was beginning to understand why people called it the city that never sleeps.

And honestly?

She wasn't sure she liked it.

She stood outside an enormous glass building, clutching the strap of her handbag while staring up at the silver letters engraved above the entrance.

RAYMOND EMPIRE HOLDINGS.

Her lips parted slightly.

The building was magnificent.

Twenty-eight floors of gleaming glass and steel, with a grand entrance that seemed designed to remind visitors of the wealth and power housed within its walls.

Expensive vehicles pulled up at the entrance, dropping off impeccably dressed men and women who walked inside without sparing the building a second glance.

Sylvia swallowed.

She suddenly became very conscious of her appearance.

Her cream-coloured blouse was neatly tucked into a fitted black skirt that stopped just above her knees. A pair of black heels completed her outfit, while her brunette hair fell in soft, naturally flowing waves down her back.

She had spent almost an hour getting ready that morning, determined to look presentable.

At twenty-three, Sylvia possessed a beauty that was both delicate and captivating.

Her caramel complexion was smooth and radiant, complementing her warm brown eyes, which seemed to hold a thousand unspoken thoughts. She had naturally long lashes, a small, perfectly shaped nose, and full lips that carried a soft pink tint.

Her face was beautifully balanced, with gently defined cheekbones and an oval jawline that gave her an effortlessly feminine appearance.

She wasn't the kind of woman who needed expensive clothes or excessive makeup to attract attention.

There was something naturally charming about her.

Perhaps it was the way her eyes brightened whenever she smiled, or the little crease that appeared on her cheek whenever she was genuinely amused.

Today, however, she wasn't smiling.

She was nervous.

Very nervous.

After months of saving, endless applications, and a considerable amount of courage, she had finally made it to New York.

She couldn't afford to mess this up.

"Okay, Sylvia," she whispered, taking a deep breath. "You can do this."

She adjusted her handbag, smoothed the front of her blouse, and checked her reflection in the glass doors.

Satisfied, she nodded to herself.

One step at a time.

She turned towards the entrance.

And walked straight into someone.

Or rather, something solid.

Her handbag slipped off her shoulder, and before she could regain her balance, her phone, notebook, and a few other belongings scattered across the polished marble floor.

"Oh my God!"

She gasped and immediately bent down to retrieve them.

"Watch where you're going."

The deep, cold voice made her movements falter.

For a moment, she thought she had misheard.

Slowly, she lifted her head.

And there he stood.

A man.

An incredibly handsome man.

He was tall, easily standing above six feet, with broad shoulders and a perfectly proportioned physique that made his tailored black suit look as though it had been designed exclusively for him.

His dark hair was neatly styled, with a few strands falling effortlessly across his forehead. He possessed a sharply defined jawline, high cheekbones, a straight nose, and a pair of lips that looked as though they had forgotten how to smile.

His complexion was fair, and his features carried a striking combination of masculine elegance and intimidating perfection.

But it was his eyes that caught her attention.

They were a deep, almost obsidian shade of brown, cold and piercing, with an intensity that made it difficult to hold his gaze for too long.

He had the kind of face that belonged on the cover of a luxury magazine.

Yet there was absolutely nothing welcoming about his expression.

His expensive black suit fitted his broad frame perfectly, while the silver watch around his wrist spoke quietly of the wealth he carried.

Everything about him screamed power.

And arrogance.

Sylvia blinked.

"Excuse me?"

The man looked down at her, his expression remaining completely indifferent.

"You heard me."

She stared at him.

Was he serious?

"You're the one who walked into me!" she protested, her eyebrows drawing together.

He glanced briefly at the belongings scattered around their feet.

Then, without offering an apology or even attempting to help, he slipped one hand into his trouser pocket and stepped around her.

Just like that.

He walked away.

Sylvia remained frozen for a few seconds, staring at his retreating figure.

Was that really happening?

"Unbelievable!" she called after him.

He didn't turn.

"Arrogant bastard!"

Still nothing.

Sylvia rolled her eyes and gathered the rest of her belongings.

"Who does he think he is? The president of the entire world?"

She shook her head in disbelief.

Men like him were precisely the reason some people needed a serious reality check.

Yet, as much as she hated to admit it, there was something undeniably attractive about him.

The way he carried himself, the confidence in his movements, and those ridiculously handsome features.

She quickly dismissed the thought.

Handsome or not, he was an absolute jerk.

And she had no intention of ever crossing paths with him again.

Inside Raymond Empire Holdings

The private elevator doors slid open, revealing a spacious office corridor decorated with expensive artwork and polished marble floors.

Raymond Blackwood stepped out, his expression as unreadable as ever.

At thirty-one, Raymond was a man whose name commanded respect, fear, and admiration in equal measure.

He was the chairman and chief executive officer of Raymond Empire Holdings, a business empire built on ruthless decisions, calculated risks, and an uncompromising pursuit of success.

His wealth was almost unimaginable.

His influence extended beyond the corporate world, and his reputation preceded him wherever he went.

Women admired him.

Men envied him.

Businessmen feared disappointing him.

And he couldn't care less about any of it.

Raymond was exceptionally handsome, with a commanding presence that made it almost impossible to ignore him.

His tall, athletic frame, broad shoulders, and perfectly tailored suits gave him an air of effortless sophistication. His dark hair was always impeccably styled, while his sharply sculpted features and intense eyes made his naturally cold expression even more intimidating.

He had the kind of face that could make a woman forget what she was saying.

Unfortunately, his personality rarely gave anyone a reason to stay.

He was arrogant, calculating, impatient, and notoriously difficult to please.

To Raymond, emotions were unnecessary complications, and personal relationships were distractions he had no interest in entertaining.

His private life was just as guarded as his business affairs.

Walking beside him was his personal assistant, Daniel, who held a tablet while going through the day's schedule.

"Good morning, sir."

Raymond offered no response.

Daniel was used to it.

"Your nine o'clock meeting has been moved to ten. The board members are already waiting in the conference room."

"Then they can continue waiting."

Daniel briefly lowered his eyes to his tablet.

"Yes, sir."

He had learned long ago that questioning Raymond's decisions was rarely a good idea.

The two men approached the private elevator.

As the doors began to close, Raymond's thoughts briefly drifted back to the woman he had encountered at the entrance.

Brown eyes.

Caramel skin.

Long brunette hair.

And a rather expressive face.

He remembered the way she had stared at him, clearly offended by his response.

Most people either avoided his gaze or went out of their way to please him.

But that woman?

She had looked ready to argue with him.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"She was pretty."

Daniel's head lifted immediately.

"Sir?"

Raymond's expression returned to its usual indifference.

"Nothing."

Daniel wisely said nothing more.

The elevator doors closed, carrying Raymond towards the upper floors of his empire.

He had a company to run, millions of dollars worth of decisions to make, and an entire board of directors waiting for him.

He certainly didn't have time to think about a random woman he had bumped into.

At least, that was what he told himself.

Meanwhile...

Sylvia walked into the reception area, completely unaware that the arrogant stranger she had just encountered was the very man whose company she had come to seek employment with.

She approached the reception desk, forcing a polite smile.

"Good morning. Please, I'd like to make an enquiry about possible job vacancies."

The receptionist looked up.

"Good morning, ma'am. Do you have an appointment?"

Sylvia's smile faltered slightly.

"An appointment?"

"Yes. Have you been scheduled to meet with anyone?"

Sylvia swallowed.

"No, I haven't. I was hoping I could speak with someone from the human resources department. I'd like to submit my CV personally."

The receptionist gave her a professional smile.

"Please, have a seat. I'll find out what can be arranged."

"Thank you."

Sylvia walked towards the waiting area and sat down, placing her handbag neatly beside her.

She looked around the magnificent reception, taking in the luxurious interior.

She had absolutely no idea what she was getting herself into.

Because sometimes, the biggest changes in our lives don't begin with grand opportunities.

Sometimes, they begin with a terrible first impression.

And Sylvia's first impression of Raymond Blackwood was about to become a problem neither of them would forget.