All Chapters of The Boss Who Hated Me Back: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Lena Carter had been inside Blackwood Enterprises for exactly twelve minutes when she realized she had made a terrible mistake.The building was enormous.Too enormous.Glass walls stretched toward the ceiling, employees moved through the lobby with expensive-looking suits and purposeful expressions, and even the receptionist seemed intimidating.Lena tightened her grip on the folder against her chest.“Relax,” she whispered to herself. “It’s just a job.”A job she desperately needed.After three weeks of unemployment, she wasn't in a position to be picky.She checked the email on her phone again.Human Resources — Executive Assistant PositionShe had applied for a regular administrative position.Instead, after two interviews, three assessments, and one unusually intense final interview, she had somehow been assigned to the executive floor.More specifically—To Adrian Blackwood.The CEO.Lena swallowed.She had heard enough about him during her short time in the building.Cold.Dema

Lena barely slept.By three in the morning, she was still staring at the ceiling, replaying Adrian's words in her head.The woman in the photograph is your mother.It didn't make sense.Her mother had always told her that her father was the only man she had ever loved. She had never mentioned another man. Never mentioned Adrian Blackwood. Never mentioned a photograph.And yet, Adrian had looked at her mother as if he'd known her better than anyone.Lena reached for her phone.She opened the photograph she had secretly taken before leaving Adrian's office.The image was slightly blurred, but the three faces were still recognizable.Her father.Adrian.And her mother.She zoomed in on her mother's face.There was something about the way she was looking at Adrian.Not fear.Not hatred.Something softer.Something Lena couldn't name.Her phone rang.She almost dropped it.“Mom?”“Why are you calling me at this hour?”“I need the truth.”Silence.“About Dad.”Her mother's breathing changed

Lena couldn't move.The stranger's final words kept repeating inside her head.I'm the reason you never found her.She looked at Adrian, waiting for him to say something.But he didn't.He stood completely still, his eyes fixed on the phone in her hand.“Adrian?”Nothing.“Adrian!”He finally looked at her.“Did he say he was there when I was born?”“Yes.”Adrian's jaw tightened.“Then he knows more than we do.”Lena's hands began to shake.“My mother is with him.”“We don't know that.”“He answered her phone.”“That doesn't mean she's with him.”“But he said she couldn't talk.”Adrian walked toward her.“Listen to me. Panicking won't help.”“My mother could be in danger!”“I know.”“Then do something!”The anger in her voice echoed through the office.Adrian didn't react.Instead, he reached for his phone.“Daniel.”He made the call.“Trace the number that contacted Lena. I want the location immediately.”A pause.“No. I don't care how difficult it is. Find it.”He ended the call.Le

Adrian's entire body went rigid. “Lena.” She stood near the entrance of the warehouse, her hands raised slightly while a man held a gun against her temple. Daniel was nowhere in sight. Victor smiled. “I told you she would come.” Adrian's eyes remained fixed on Lena. “Are you hurt?” She shook her head. “Not yet.” The man behind her pressed the gun harder against her head. “Don't move,” he warned. Adrian slowly raised his hands. “Let her go.” Victor laughed. “You still think you're in a position to give orders?” “Take me instead.” “I already have you.” Victor nodded toward Lena. “But she's the reason you finally came here.” Lena's eyes met Adrian's. There was fear in them, but also something else. Determination. She was trying to tell him something. Adrian narrowed his eyes. Then he noticed her right hand. She was holding something. A small metal object. A key. His gaze moved toward Victor. Victor didn't notice. “Do you know

Lena studied the message on Adrian's phone. If you want your mother alive, open Safe B-17. Her fingers tightened around the photograph. “It's a trap,” Adrian said. “I know.” “And yet you're considering opening it.” “My mother is alive because someone wants whatever is in that safe.” Adrian shook his head. “We don't know that.” “Then why mention B-17?” He had no answer. For several seconds, the only sound in the storage room was the distant echo of footsteps. Lena fixed him with a steady gaze. “You told me the safe contains everything your father didn't want you to find.” “I said it might.” “You knew about it.” “I knew there was a safe. I didn't know what was inside.” “So someone wants us to open it.” Adrian's expression hardened. “Exactly. Which means they want us to find something.” “Then let's find it.” “No.” Lena frowned. “You just said—” “I said we will find it. I didn't say we're going to do whatever they tell us to do.” Adrian pulled out his phone. “Daniel