Chapter 1 Velvet Chains

Chapter 1: Velvet Chains

The boardroom smelled of money, steel, and ego.

Amira Okoye sat at the long mahogany table, her charcoal-gray suit hugging her curves with tailored precision. Her natural hair was pulled back into a neat bun, revealing a face carved in quiet defiance. She adjusted the sleeves of her blazer, then folded her hands. Calm. Controlled.

Then he walked in.

Leonardo Moretti.

The name alone carried enough weight to crush entire empires. The man? Even worse.

He strode in like he owned the air itself-black suit crisp, shoes clicking in slow domination, salt-and-pepper hair slicked back to perfection. Eyes dark, unreadable. Dangerous.

Amira had faced cartel leaders, corrupt senators, and criminal billionaires. But nothing prepared her for this.

"Miss Okoye," he drawled, his voice a low rumble. "Or should I say, the woman trying to stop me from acquiring TaylorCorp?"

She didn't blink. "That's my job. I don't bow for billionaires in suits."

He smirked. "Pity. You'd look exquisite on your knees."

The room went still. Even the junior lawyers froze.

Amira smiled, slow and deadly. "Try me, and I'll see to it your empire burns-legally."

Leonardo chuckled, unbothered. "Spicy."

The meeting began. Or rather, the battle.

Amira countered every move with cold precision. Contracts, clauses, regulatory blocks-she was a shield in stilettos. And Leonardo? He enjoyed every minute.

He studied her the way a lion eyes its prey. Not just for business.

For possession.

---

Hours later, Amira stepped into the elevator alone, the file clutched in her hand. Just as the doors were about to close, a hand slid between the gap.

Leonardo stepped in.

Close.

Too close.

"Your performance today was...impressive," he said, his tone velvet-wrapped steel.

"I didn't do it for applause."

"No," he said, voice low, "but I applaud you anyway. You're a rare breed."

She glanced up, eyes sharp. "And what exactly do you want from me, Mr. Moretti?"

Leonardo leaned in, his breath grazing her ear. "Everything."

Amira didn't move. Didn't flinch. But her pulse betrayed her.

"Careful," she said coldly. "Your arrogance might cost you."

He smiled, slow and dark. "I have more than enough to spend."

The elevator dinged. The doors opened.

But before he stepped out, he turned back to her. "Your firm is drowning in debt, Miss Okoye. When the time comes, remember-I offered you velvet. If you choose vengeance, I won't be merciful."

And then he was gone.

Leaving Amira gripping her file-and wondering what the hell she had just walked into.