Chapter 2 – A Dangerous Attraction

Anna sat alone in the office for several minutes after David Orlov left.

Her fingers were still resting on the open folder, but her mind was far away.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

She had imagined many things before coming here—anger, cold conversations, maybe even humiliation.

But she had not expected him.

David Orlov was nothing like the arrogant monster she had imagined for years.

That made everything far more dangerous.

Anna closed the folder slowly and forced herself to focus. She had a mission. Emotions were not part of the plan.

She gathered the documents and walked out into the corridor.

Employees were moving around quickly, talking quietly, carrying tablets and papers. Everything felt organized and controlled.

A young woman approached her with a friendly smile.

“You must be the new assistant,” she said.

Anna nodded politely.

“Yes, I’m Anna.”

“I’m Clara,” the woman replied. “I work in the finance department. If you need anything, feel free to ask.”

Anna appreciated the kindness, but she stayed careful.

“Thank you.”

Clara lowered her voice slightly.

“You’re lucky, you know.”

Anna raised an eyebrow.

“Lucky?”

“Yes,” Clara said, glancing toward David’s office door. “Not many people get to work directly for Mr. Orlov.”

Anna forced a neutral expression.

“I see.”

Clara leaned closer.

“Most people here are a little… intimidated by him.”

Anna almost smiled.

Intimidated?

If only Clara knew the truth.

Before Anna could reply, the office door suddenly opened again.

David stepped out.

The atmosphere changed instantly.

Several employees straightened their posture as he walked past them.

His presence was powerful without effort.

His eyes stopped when they reached Anna.

For a brief second, neither of them spoke.

Then he approached her.

“Miss Tóth.”

“Yes?”

“I need you to join me in a meeting.”

Anna blinked.

“Now?”

“Yes.”

He turned toward the elevator without waiting for an answer.

Anna quickly grabbed the folder and followed him.

Inside the elevator, silence filled the small space.

Anna could feel his presence beside her.

Too close.

Too intense.

David finally spoke.

“You looked surprised earlier.”

Anna frowned slightly.

“About what?”

“About working here.”

She hesitated.

“I suppose it’s a big opportunity.”

David studied her face again.

“Is that the only reason?”

Anna met his gaze directly.

“What other reason could there be?”

For a moment, the air between them felt heavy with tension.

Then the elevator doors opened.

They entered a large conference room where several executives were already waiting.

Anna quickly realized something important.

Everyone in the room treated David with extreme respect.

Some even seemed nervous.

So this was the true power of the Orlov name.

The meeting lasted almost an hour.

Anna mostly listened and took notes, but she noticed how carefully David analyzed every detail. He wasn’t careless or arrogant.

He was intelligent.

Dangerously intelligent.

When the meeting finally ended, the executives began leaving the room.

Anna gathered the papers on the table.

Suddenly, she noticed something strange.

One document had fallen to the floor.

She picked it up.

But when she looked at it, her heart stopped.

It was an old financial report.

And at the bottom of the page…

There was her father’s company name.

The same company that had gone bankrupt years ago.

The same disaster that had destroyed her family.

Her hands began to tremble slightly.

This was it.

Proof.

Evidence that the Orlov family had been involved.

“Interesting, isn’t it?”

David’s voice came from behind her.

Anna turned quickly.

He was standing closer than before.

Too close.

“Where did you find that report?” he asked calmly.

Anna tried to hide her reaction.

“It was on the floor.”

David took the paper slowly and looked at it.

For a moment his expression became unreadable.

Then he looked back at her.

“You seem very interested in old financial files.”

Anna forced a small smile.

“I’m just doing my job.”

David didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he studied her eyes carefully.

As if searching for something.

Or someone.

Then he leaned slightly closer.

“So am I,” he said quietly.

For a moment Anna felt the strange heat of his presence again.

Something dangerous was forming between them.

Something she hadn’t planned.

David finally stepped back.

“Let’s go,” he said calmly.

Anna followed him out of the room.

But her mind was racing.

The evidence she had searched for years might already be inside this building.

And David Orlov…

might be the only person who could lead her to the truth.

Even if that truth destroyed them both.