Chapter 5

Lena's POV

Today, I wanted to impress Lucian.

That thought sat heavy in my chest as I stepped out of the elevator and into the buzzing hallway of the executive floor. People moved with purpose around me—heels clicking, low conversations overlapping, the faint scent of coffee and expensive cologne lingering in the air. Everything here screamed importance.

And for the first time in a long time… I wanted to be part of it.

Lucian had been kind to me since I resumed. Not the fake, dismissive kind of kindness some bosses wore like a badge, but the quiet kind. The kind that asked if I’d settled in okay. The kind that remembered how I took my coffee. The kind that didn’t look at me like I was fragile glass after my divorce.

My broken marriage.

My failed forever.

Being here—working, focusing, learning had helped. It kept my mind off the past. Off Alexander. Off the way my life had shattered so neatly in his hands.

I adjusted the folder in my arms and inhaled deeply.

Today mattered.

As I stepped fully into the office space, I immediately noticed the shift in energy.

Everyone was already heading toward the boardroom.

Executives. Assistants. Legal advisors. People murmuring into phones, others clutching tablets and files. The large glass doors of the boardroom were open, and inside, the long polished table gleamed under the lights.

My heart skipped.

The meeting.

I glanced at my watch, panic fluttering briefly in my chest before I steadied myself and turned toward Lucian’s office. I knocked once before pushing the door open.

Lucian looked up from his desk.

And for half a second, I forgot how to breathe.

He was already in his meeting mode—dark suit, crisp white shirt, sleeves buttoned neatly, tie perfectly aligned. His hair was styled just enough to look effortless, and his expression was calm, focused… commanding.

Dreamy.

Dangerously so.

“Good morning, Lena,” he said smoothly.

His voice—God, his voice always caught me off guard. Deep, warm, steady.

“Good morning, sir,” I replied, forcing myself not to sound breathless.

He stood, grabbing his tablet. “Get the files. Let’s go.”

“Yes—yes, sir.”

I moved quickly to the cabinet, pulling out the neatly labeled folders. As I passed him, his scent brushed past me—clean, masculine, faintly woody.

Intoxicating.

I hated how aware I suddenly was of my own body. Of how close he stood. Of how professional this was supposed to be.

Get it together, Lena.

We headed to the boardroom together. He walked with confidence, long strides, and I followed closely, matching his pace. When we entered, most of the seats were already taken.

Lucian took his place at the head of the table.

I stood beside him, handing him the necessary documents, then stepped back to my designated spot. My hands clasped in front of me, posture straight.

Waiting.

The room buzzed with low conversation. I caught fragments.

“…they should be here any minute…”

“…huge partnership…”

“…this would boost our company's name…”

I swallowed.

So this was the big company Lucian had mentioned. The one everyone would be around for. The one that mattered.

Suddenly, the murmuring shifted.

Not excitement.

Recognition.

“Oh,” a voice said softly, tinged with surprise.

“One of our members is here.”

My brows furrowed slightly.

Before I could process that, Lucian straightened.

He stood.

“Miss Lena, come. I’d like you to meet three very important partners,” Lucian said, his tone calm but authoritative. I nodded, trying to keep my composure, and followed him down the sleek, marble-floored hallway. The office smelled faintly of leather and polished wood, a professional aroma that made my nerves hum.

He stopped in front of a large conference room and opened the door. “This is Mr. Pattinson,” he said, gesturing to a tall, sharply dressed man. I extended my hand, smiling politely, and noticed immediately he didn’t look like a casual investor. Clean, confident, and deliberate—the kind of presence that demanded attention.

“Here we have Mr. Dominic,” Lucian continued, and I shook hands with him as well. His grip was firm, his eyes assessing, but not unkind. I could feel the quiet power behind him, the kind that made me realize these weren’t just partners—they were people who ran empires.

“And finally, I’d like to introduce you to… Mr. Osborn.” Lucian gestured to the last man, and I smiled again, my handshake sure and confident. Each of them nodded politely, and I felt a small thrill of pride. Lucian’s introductions made it clear that they respected him—and by extension, they would respect me.

I was just beginning to relax when a lady rushed in, whispering something urgently into Lucian’s ear. His eyes widened slightly as he nodded, a flash of concern crossing his face. Without another word, he excused himself and left abruptly, leaving me standing alone in the room.

For a moment, I felt the tension settle in my chest. The partners exchanged glances, murmuring quietly, and I wondered what had caused Lucian’s sudden departure. I was about to ask one of them when Lucian returned, brisk but composed.

“Miss Lena, please follow me,” he said. I nodded and walked quickly to keep up with him. The hallways twisted and turned, each step heightening the suspense building inside me.

Finally, we stopped outside another office, and he opened the door. “Lena, I’d like to introduce you to one of our most prominent partner members of this company—Mr. Alexander Knight.”