Revenge Of A Tech Genius

Ethan Cole stepped into the grand ballroom of Knight Enterprises, his sharp eyes scanning the lavish party thrown in his honor. Just weeks ago, the company had been drowning in financial ruin. Now, thanks to his revolutionary security software, they were back on top. Yet, as he clutched his whiskey glass, he felt no sense of victory.

He was never one for parties, especially not ones hosted by Damian Knight, the billionaire CEO who treated him like an asset rather than a human.

"Enjoying the celebration?" A soft voice broke through his thoughts.

Ethan turned to see Lena Knight, Damian's daughter, standing beside him. Her emerald-green dress clung to her curves, her dark hair falling in loose waves over her shoulders. She was beautiful in a way that made it hard to look away.

"I don't do celebrations," Ethan said coolly, taking a sip of his drink.

Lena smirked, tilting her head. "You just saved my father's company. You should at least pretend to enjoy it."

Ethan exhaled, watching her. There had always been something between them-unspoken, unresolved. The way she looked at him, the way his pulse reacted when she was near. They had never crossed the line, but the temptation had always been there, lingering.

Lena stepped closer. "Maybe you just need the right company," she teased.

Ethan's fingers tightened around his glass. He wasn't a fool. He knew what he wanted, but getting involved with Lena was dangerous.

Before he could respond, the sound of clicking heels interrupted them. Victor Hayes, Damian's business rival, approached, his expression smug.

"Well, well. The genius of the hour," Victor said, shaking Ethan's hand with just a little too much force.

Ethan barely held back a sneer. He had never trusted Victor, and the way he looked at Lena made his blood boil.

"Careful, Cole," Victor continued. "Some men don't like sharing their toys."

Ethan clenched his jaw.

Lena's face hardened. "I'm not anyone's toy."

Victor chuckled, raising his glass. "Of course not."

The moment he walked away, Ethan turned to Lena. "Stay away from him."

Lena lifted an eyebrow. "Are you jealous, Ethan?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he finished his drink and walked away.

A Moment That Changed Everything

Later that night, Ethan was heading to the elevator when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Wait."

He turned to see Lena stepping inside just as the doors closed.

"We need to talk," she said, her voice quieter now.

Ethan leaned against the elevator wall, folding his arms. "About what?"

Lena hesitated before speaking. "You pretend not to care, but I see it. The way you look at me, the way you react when someone else gets too close."

Ethan's jaw tightened. He hated that she could read him so well.

"Tell me I'm wrong," Lena whispered.

The air between them grew thick. Ethan could hear nothing but the pounding of his own heart.

His control snapped.

In one quick motion, he grabbed her by the waist and pressed her against the elevator wall. Their lips collided in a desperate, hungry kiss. Lena gasped against his mouth, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

Ethan's hands roamed over her body, memorizing every curve. Months of tension, longing, and frustration spilled into that kiss.

The elevator chimed, the doors sliding open. They broke apart, breathless, hearts racing.

Lena's lips were swollen, her eyes filled with something unreadable.

Ethan stepped back, raking a hand through his hair. "This can't happen."

Lena's expression flickered with disappointment, but she nodded. Without another word, she walked out.

Ethan stood there, his chest rising and falling, knowing that everything had just changed.

The Fall

The next morning, Ethan arrived at the office only to be met with chaos. Employees whispered, eyes darting toward him.

Then he saw the headline on the giant screen in the lobby.

SCANDAL: TECH GENIUS ETHAN COLE CAUGHT IN INTIMATE MOMENT WITH CEO'S DAUGHTER

His blood turned to ice.

Security approached. "Mr. Cole, you need to come with us."

He barely had time to react before he was dragged through the hallways. Employees stared as Damian Knight stormed toward him, his face red with fury.

"My daughter?" Damian spat. "You went after my daughter?"

Ethan's stomach dropped. He turned to Lena, who stood frozen, her face pale.

"You think you can sleep your way to power?" Damian continued, his voice shaking with rage.

Ethan clenched his fists. "That's not what happened."

Damian scoffed. "Security footage says otherwise."

Ethan's heart pounded. Someone had set him up.

"I trusted you," Damian growled. "I brought you into this company, and you repay me by seducing my daughter?"

Ethan turned to Lena, waiting for her to say something, to defend him.

But she said nothing.

Her silence shattered him.

Damian's next words sealed his fate.

"You're fired."

The One-Night Stand

Hours later, Ethan sat in his dark apartment, drowning in anger and whiskey. His career, his reputation, his life-destroyed.

A soft knock pulled him from his thoughts.

When he opened the door, Lena stood there.

He didn't speak. Neither did she.

She stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, tears in her eyes.

Ethan laughed bitterly. "Too late for that."

Lena stepped closer. "I never meant for this to happen."

Ethan's jaw clenched. "Then why didn't you say something?"

"I was scared," she admitted, voice trembling. "But I swear, I didn't want this."

Ethan's chest ached with anger, betrayal, and something deeper-something he didn't want to name.

Then she touched him.

The moment her hand brushed his cheek, something snapped inside him.

Without thinking, he pulled her against him, crashing his lips onto hers.

Lena responded with the same urgency, her fingers tangling in his hair. Their bodies pressed together, heat rising between them.

Clothes hit the floor. The bed wasn't far, but they didn't make it. The wall, the couch-none of it mattered.

By the time they collapsed onto the sheets, breathless and tangled in each other, Ethan knew he was making a mistake.

But he didn't care.

The Morning After

Sunlight streamed through the window. Ethan stirred, feeling the warmth of Lena's body against his.

For a moment, it felt right.

Then reality hit.

He sat up, running a hand over his face. What had he done?

Lena stirred beside him, her sleepy eyes meeting his.

For a second, neither of them spoke.

Then Ethan did what he knew he had to.

"You should go."

Lena's expression changed. "Ethan-"

"This was a mistake," he said, his voice colder than he intended.

Lena's eyes darkened. Without another word, she grabbed her clothes, dressed quickly, and walked out.

The door shut behind her, leaving Ethan alone.

He exhaled heavily, staring at the ceiling.

His life had fallen apart.

And now, he had just made things even worse.

Ethan picked up his phone and dialed.

"Jared," he said, his voice sharp. "I want everything you can find on Damian Knight. I don't care what it takes. I'm going to ruin him."

This wasn't just about getting his life back.

This was war.