Chapter 1

I stand in front of the mirror in my tiny bathroom, in that cramped Camden Town flat I share with two noisy roommates. My hands tremble slightly as I adjust the collar of my perfectly ironed white shirt. This is the big day. The day everything changes. Or at least, that's what I've been telling myself for weeks.

Amanda Hayes, 24, freshly graduated from the London Business School with high honors in Finance and Management. My résumé is flawless: internships at fintech start-ups, volunteer work at an NGO for financial education, and even an article published in an academic journal on the impact of cryptocurrencies on emerging markets. I worked hard to get here. All-nighters studying, student jobs to pay my tuition: waitress in a crowded pub, tutor for rich kids who didn't need it. My parents, modest teachers in a Yorkshire village, always pushed me to aim high. "The world is yours, sweetheart," my mother used to say, hugging me tight before I left for London.

But today is the real test. Black Industries. The empire of Cameron Black, a name that makes the City trading floors tremble. A multinational that dominates everything: technology, luxury real estate, private investments. They say Black built his fortune from scratch, starting in a garage in Manchester to become one of Europe's most enigmatic billionaires. No celebrity photos, no scandals, just a reputation for ice. "The Shadow King," the tabloids call him, because he operates in the shadows, crushing the competition without a word.

My job interview two weeks ago felt like a dream. A polite HR lady, technical questions I aced, and that final sentence: "You are exactly what we're looking for, Miss Hayes." A six‑month internship in the strategy department, with an option for a permanent contract at the end. Decent salary, incredible perks: private gym, Michelin‑starred canteen, and access to a network that could launch my career into the stratosphere.

I grab my handbag a fake Chanel I found at a market  and check my reflection one last time. Chestnut hair pulled into a strict bun, discreet makeup, black pencil skirt falling just above the knees, sensible pumps. Professional. Confident. Ready to conquer.

The tube is packed, as always at 8 a.m. I fight my way to Canary Wharf, London's financial heart, where towers of glass and steel pierce the gray sky. The Black Tower dominates everything: 70 floors of black marble and tinted glass, a monolith that seems to absorb light rather than reflect it. I've read articles about its architecture, designed by a Swedish designer obsessed with brutal minimalism. "A building that inspires fear and respect," Black once said in a rare interview.

At the entrance, a security guard scans my temporary badge. "Welcome to Black Industries, Miss Hayes. Elevator 12, 67th floor." My heart pounds during the ascent. The doors open onto an immaculate lobby: polished marble floors, white walls with abstract paintings probably worth more than my entire flat. A subtle scent of freshly ground coffee and new leather hangs in the air.

A woman in her forties, impeccable gray suit, greets me with a professional smile. "Amanda? I'm Elena, your internship supervisor. Follow me." She guides me through a high‑tech open space: curved screens, ergonomic chairs, employees in custom suits frantically typing on their keyboards. No small talk, no laughter  just clinical efficiency.

My desk is a small corner near a panoramic window. View of the Thames, the neighboring skyscrapers. "You'll start by analysing these reports on our investments in Asia," Elena explains, handing me a pile of folders. "Be precise. Mr. Black hates mistakes." She leaves me with an encouraging wink, and I get to work.

The hours pass. I dive into the numbers: mergers and acquisitions, growth projections, geopolitical risks. It's fascinating. I almost forget lunchtime, nibbling a sandwich at my desk. In the afternoon, Elena invites me to a team meeting. "Just observe," she says. "But take notes."

Meeting Room 66B is a glass bubble in the middle of the floor. About ten people around an oval table: analysts, managers, all more experienced than me. I sit at the back, notepad in hand. They're discussing a major deal: acquiring an AI start‑up based in Singapore. The stakes are huge billions involved.

Then, around 5 p.m., the meeting ends. I pack up my things, but my phone has slipped under the table. I bend down to pick it up  and that's when I hear voices. Low, muttered, coming from behind a thin partition. Two men, maybe in the adjacent room.

"... the transfer has to be clean. No traces."

"What if the cops follow the trail?"

"They won't find anything. Black has friends everywhere. The Mexican cartel already paid half. The rest comes through the Caymans."

My blood runs cold. Cartel? Transfer? That has nothing to do with legal investments. I freeze, heart pounding.

"Delivery in two weeks. Make sure the Docklands warehouse is secure. And for the witness in Manchester... handle it quietly."

A pause. Then a cold laugh. "Like last time?"

"Yeah. Car accident. Clean."

I slowly straighten up, phone in hand, and tiptoe out of the room. My mind is spinning. Black Industries involved in money laundering? Trafficking? Cameron Black, the untouchable CEO, at the centre of it all? I must have misheard. Or maybe it's a misunderstanding. But the words echo: "cartel," "witness," "accident."

Back at my desk, I pretend to work, but my hands shake over the keyboard. Elena stops by: "Everything alright, Amanda? You look pale." I force a smile. "Just tired. First day." She nods and lets me leave at 6 p.m.

In the elevator, I exhale deeply. Forget it. It's not my problem. I'm just an intern. Tomorrow will be fine.

But the next morning, everything changes.

I arrive at 8 a.m. sharp, badge in hand. Elena is waiting with a serious expression. "Amanda, Mr. Black wants to see you. Immediately. Private elevator, 67th floor."

My stomach knots. The CEO in person? For an intern? That doesn't bode well.

The elevator rises in silence, soft background music contrasting with my racing pulse. The doors open directly into his office. Huge. Minimalist. Glass walls offering a 360° view of London. Black onyx desk, Italian leather chairs.

And him. Cameron Black.

He's standing by the window, back turned, speaking Russian  or is it Serbian  on the phone. His voice is deep, authoritative. He hangs up and turns around.

6'4" of pure intimidation. Tailored three‑piece anthracite suit, white shirt unbuttoned at the collar revealing a discreet tattoo  a stylised shadow, maybe a raven. Short black hair, three‑day stubble, piercing green eyes like blades. No smile. Just a look that pins me in place.

"Sit down, Miss Hayes."

I obey, legs trembling. He sits opposite, steepling his fingers.

"You have an excellent profile. Intelligent. Ambitious." He pauses. "But curious."

My heart skips a beat. "Excuse me?"

"Yesterday, 5:12 p.m. Room 66B. You overheard a private conversation."

How does he know? Cameras? Microphones? I stammer: "I... I was looking for my phone. I didn't hear any—"

"Don't lie." His voice snaps, cold as steel. "You heard everything. And now you are a liability."

Panic rises. "I swear I won't say anything. I just want to do my internship."

He leans forward, his eyes locked on mine. "I know. Which is why I'm giving you a chance." He pushes two documents toward me. "Sign these."

The first: a standard non‑disclosure agreement, packed with penalty clauses.

The second... my breath catches.

*Exclusive Personal Assistance Contract Between Mr. Cameron Black (hereinafter "the Principal") And Miss Amanda Hayes (hereinafter "the Assistant")*

The terms: I become his personal assistant 24/7. Total obedience. Immediate availability. In exchange: protection, a tripled salary, and the erasure of any "risk."

But between the lines: *"The Assistant agrees to satisfy all needs of the Principal, without limit or refusal."*

It's a modern slavery contract. Sexual. Psychological. Total.

"You have two options, Amanda." His voice is a dangerous whisper. "Refuse, and you disappear. Accept... and you belong to me."

He places a pen in front of me. "Decide."