TAMING THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE

The rain hadn't stopped since morning. Manhattan's streets shimmered under it, the lights breaking across puddles like scattered glass. Maya Rivers clutched her damp résumé to her chest and dashed across the road, heart pounding louder than the thunder rolling above.

Late again. Just her luck.

King Enterprises towered ahead, swallowing the skyline. The building disappeared into the clouds like it didn't believe in limits. Maya stopped at the doors, catching her reflection in the glass hair frizzy, blazer wrinkled, shoes a total mess.

"Great first impression," she muttered, pushing inside.

The lobby hit her like a wave of money. Polished marble, quiet footsteps, that expensive cologne that hung in the air of places people like her didn't belong. She felt instantly small, like she'd crashed a world meant for sharper, richer people.

"Good morning," she said, trying to sound calm. "I'm here for the assistant interview. Maya Rivers."

The receptionist didn't smile. "You're seven minutes late."

"I there was traffic, and the rain"

"The CEO hates excuses." The woman's voice was flat. "Take the elevator to the top floor. He'll see you now."

Maya froze. The CEO himself? Usually HR did interviews, not billionaires.

"Right. Thank you," she said, stepping into the elevator before her nerves changed their mind.

As it climbed, she ran her fingers through her damp hair, whispering her introduction again and again. By the time the doors opened, she had it memorized except her words died the moment she saw him.

Adrian King.

The man looked like he'd been carved out of ambition and control. He stood by the window, staring at the storm like he owned it. Every photo she'd seen of him came rushing back the ruthless CEO, the heartless genius, the man who'd fired a board member mid-meeting. She'd thought the media exaggerated. They didn't.

When he turned, his eyes locked onto her, cold and impossibly blue. "You're late."

Maya swallowed. "I'm sorry, Mr. King. It won't happen again."

"I know."

The words were soft but final no second chances.

She stepped forward, holding out her résumé. "Thank you for seeing me. I"

He didn't take it. He just walked past her, calm and exact. "You have a degree in business administration. Barely any experience. Why should I hire you?"

Because rent is due, because Mom's medical bills won't wait.

"I'm capable," she said instead. "I learn fast, and I don't quit."

For a second, the only sound was the rain. Then, a flicker tugged at his lips not quite a smile. "You're bold. Most people stutter around me."

"Maybe they don't know how to talk to people," she blurted, and instantly wished she hadn't.

His eyebrow lifted. "People?"