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The Offer

Author: Evelyn Joness
last update Last Updated: 2026-01-05 02:24:56

AMELIA STONE OFFICE ~ STONE INDUSTRIES

The door to Amelia’s office opened without a sound. Nicholas Hale stepped in, closing it behind him with a soft click. The room seemed to shift, charged with something unspoken.

Amelia stayed in her chair, leaning back with calm, controlled ease. Her usual CEO armor was stripped away, leaving only sharp focus.

Two glasses of amber whiskey sat on the desk. She held one; the other waited.

“Amelia,” he said, his voice low, familiar.

“Nicholas,” she replied, a faint smile flickering. “Right on time.”

He crossed the room, eyes scanning the office: the modern art on the walls, the city skyline beyond the windows, the Wall Street Journal on her desk, headline facing up like a trophy. He smirked as he sat opposite her and lifted the glass.

“Scorched earth,” he said, sipping slowly. “I always admired that. You don’t play small. You don’t build fences. You burn the whole field.”

“Only when someone tries to poison my land,” she said evenly, watching him ov
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