Semua Bab His secretary, His obsession : Bab 1 - Bab 5

Ava Reed could feel the city breathing around her. The scent of rain mixed with exhaust and coffee in the air, and even something as ordinary as the weather seemed to hint that today was different. She gripped the strap of her leather bag tightly, her knuckles white against the smooth surface. For a week she had imagined this moment, visualized it in endless detail. She had pictured walking through the towering glass doors of Blackwood Enterprises, stepping into the orbit of Lucian Blackwood, the man whose reputation alone could make or break a career. And yet now, standing beneath the shadow of the skyscraper, she felt her confidence waver. One breath. One step forward. She could do this. She had to do this. The taxi ride had been more stressful than she anticipated. Traffic crawled as if the city itself wanted to test her patience. Every honk and impatient shout from other drivers made her stomach twist in nervous tension. She had left an hour earlier than she needed to, calculate

The email had arrived three days ago, concise and unambiguous. “Attendance required at the annual Blackwood Gala. Responsibilities include managing client interactions, coordinating schedules, and ensuring flawless execution. Business attire mandatory.” Ava had stared at the screen, her pulse quickening. Gala. Hundreds of influential people, clients, and associates—all watching, assessing, judging. And her. Not for social grace, not for charm, but for competence. She wasn’t here to mingle, to laugh, to be seen. She was here to work. To ensure the event reflected Blackwood Enterprises at its absolute best. She had accepted immediately. No hesitation. No questions. Work first, always. The stakes were too high for anything else. She had her checklist ready in her mind: anticipate every question, plan every move, control every outcome. Nothing could be left to chance. Now, as she adjusted the strap of her clutch and smoothed the front of her gown, she reminded herself of the same ma

The morning of the Hudson Yards groundbreaking was draped in a thick, gray fog that rolled off the river, making the towering cranes look like prehistoric giants emerging from the mist. For Lucian, this wasn't just a construction site; it was a flag planted in the heart of the city, a testament to the Blackwood legacy and the new charitable trust he had woven into its foundation. Ava arrived early, her headset already buzzing with logistics. She was dressed in a sharp charcoal suit and a hard hat branded with the Blackwood logo. She looked less like an assistant and more like a general overseeing a battlefield. "The press is gathered at the north perimeter," Ava briefed Lucian as he stepped out of his black SUV. He looked striking even in a high-visibility vest, his presence commanding the chaotic dust of the site. "The Mayor's office has confirmed, but there’s a crowd of protestors gathered by the main gate. They’re carrying Sterling Global placards." Lucian adjusted his cuffs,