Chapter Three: A Contract Worth Millions.

The email arrived at 6:07 a.m.

Aria had barely slept last night – her mind racing with every word, every glance Damian Vale gave her in dinner conversation. The subject line was simple:

VALE INDUSTRIES – PROPOSAL ACCEPTANCE & CONTRACT ENCLOSED

Her breath caught in surprise. She clicked before thinking.

The words were brief—this was the kind of exactness she was beginning to link with Damian.

> *Miss Morgan,*

Vale Industries

Formally accepting: Your proposal on the Global Branding Initiative

A contract has been attached to this e-mail.

Please sign it and return it in twenty-four hours.

Welcome to the Future

> — D. Vale

There was no “Congratulations.” No nice business small talk. Only “Welcome to the future.”

The words sent a chill right through her.

She scanned it page after page, her eyes darting over the words, slowing only with the numbers:

Five million dollars.

“An initial investment that would be worth more than every single client she'd ever landed combined.” Her company would be able to grow, hire the right staff, pay off its debts. “Ember & Co. wouldn't just survive—it would dominate.”

Her pulse quickened, and then steadied herself. It was too good to be true. And in her own experience, there was always a price to pay where something was so. perfect.

---

She was back in the Vale Tower by nine, in a smaller, enclosed office with no view to speak of—just cold gray walls and the low buzz of air-conditioning. Damian was there, behind a minimalist glass desk with sleeves rolled up once more.

The man didn’t need an suit to be powerful. He *was* power.

“”You've read it?"” he asked, low and casual, with a calmness that was akin to confession.”

“Yes,” said Aria carefully. “Most of it.”

He smiled, just a little bit. “Most?”

She locked eyes with him. “Okay. All right. But certain provisions appear… unusual.”

“Such as?”

“She flipped through the pages. “Clause 14B – exclusivity. You’re asking for full rights to my firm’s services for twelve months. We wouldn’t be able to take on any other clients.”

“Correct,” he said simply.

“That’s…

“Ambition usually is.”

He leaned back in his chair to study her intently.

     “You created something out of nothing, Miss Morgan. That takes respect on my part. But to grow, one must concentrate and remain. loyal

The word *loyalty* dropped between them like a gauntlet.

“A contract is not what you’re purchasing in this deal. You’re acquiring my company in full.”

“I'm investing in your potential.” His gaze did not falter. “And I don't share what I invest in.”

There it was again: the subtle tang of possession.

Her heartbeat betrayed her, accelerating even while her mind was urging her to remain calm.

“What if I say no?" she asked softly.

There was no change in Damian‘s expression, but the atmosphere in the room seemed to grow colder. “So you’re walking away from five million dollars, from being famous worldwide, from something that can completely transform what you‘ve achieved so far.”

He paused, his gaze meeting hers. “And you walk away from me.”

The words shouldn't have meant anything. He was her client, not her.anything else. But something in his tone was making her skin prickle with sensation.

She hesitated only for a moment before standing up straight. “I'll need to take it to my lawyers.”

“Of course,” Damian said smoothly. “But understand something, Aria—”

He rarely used any.first names. The pronunciation of hers in his mouth made her back go rigid.

“—this offer doesn't wait. Twenty-four hours. After that, it’s gone.”

“Is that a threat?" she asked, looking at him directly.

“A deadline,” he corrected. “The kind all successful people respect.”

He rose, rounding the desk to stand by her side. Too close. The scent of his cologne was subtle—cedar, smoke, something achingly clean. He extended a pen.

“Sign it now, and Ember & Co. becomes untouchable.”

She looked at the pen in his hand. At the contract that would change her life or destroy it entirely.

“What happens if I do?” she asked.

“Then you belong to my world for a year.” His smile was slow, deliberate.

Then the fingers that took the pen trembled lightly.

*It’s just business,* she told herself. *One year. One deal. One chance.*

Her signature was written across the page.

Damian took the folder, shutting it with finality that was almost like the snapping of a seal being closed.</p>

“Congratulations,” he said with barely a whisper in his voice. “You’ve just signed your way into history.”

Then, as she made to leave, his voice was behind her: soft, deadly, almost sensual.

“Oh, and Aria

She paused.

“Clause 18,” he said. “You missed it.” Her brows narrowed together. “What does Clause 18 state?" He smiled lightly, his eyes glittering. “Surprises are more fun if you discover them yourself.” --- That night, while sitting at her desk re-viewing every page, Aria’s stomach was twisted in knots. Clause 18 was tucked between pages of small print in which it was difficult to spot: > “Client retains the right to require personal attendance of contractor at any Vale Industries’ event, either public or private, deemed to offer benefit to the project image. Mandatory attendance is required.” Her eyes locked on the words *personal representation.* She whispered to herself, “What the hell have I just signed?" The lightning outside was sharp and silver against the skyline, flickering in flashes. Meanwhile, inside, Aria Morgan sensed the beginning of a rift in the agreement that she believed was in place. ---