A Marriage Signed In Power

nd refused rest. The envelope, Vanessa's warning, and Derek's words from the gala played like a relen

zzed with a

ence room at 8 AM. Your first ta

ion. Task. The wording was sharp, almost ominous, confirm

tepped into the sterile, glass walled conference room. A single chair sat at the center of the room

ed, the definition of authority. His dark eyes scanned her from head

voice low and commanding.

replied, though her v

toward the envelope. "Your first te

al. Inside was a list of instructions, si

eting and take notes

quarterly projections to Mr. B

inconsistencies in staf

in bold type,

instructions will

asks. They were tests, measurements of her a

every detail, careful not to draw attention. Every glance from a colleague felt like a subtle evaluation. She noticed the s

ehearsed her speech repeatedly in the car on the way to the meeting. Standing before the associates, she

precisely as instructed," Etha

detail, noting the reactions of each associate. She caught one subtle smirk f

No smile. No praise. Just that unreadable gaze

ployee was suddenly a puzzle, every interaction a potential threat. She recorded her observations carefully, analyzing minor s

overheating. The constant vigilance, the stress of perfection, and the

moment to breathe, a faint not

the beginning. Your next challenge

ized that the contract was not just legal, it w

usted, yet unable to rest. The city lights glimmered outsi

the door. Lena froze. Was it V

n slowly and this ti

smirk more confident than

u've passed the first day, but let's

f his presence. "Inside, you'll find your first real test... one that will determine wh