Protected By The Young CEO

the High-Stak

nnovations' sleek glass building,

lden glow over the city, but Emily

to a journalism career, and s

her dress and grasped her portfolio,

ecting her resume and pr

ng financially, had sacrific

as Emily's chance

ving door, the lobby's air-cond

ished woman with a brig

e the elevator to the 20th floor. Mr. Thomps

ted as she stepped

couldn't keep up with the demand

ss the 20th floor as th

tivity, the hum of conversation and

before her, a breathtaking

pped forward, her high heels clic

essed her – sleek lines, minimalis

ching Emily with a warm smile. "Hi Emil

y as she shook Rachel's hand.

e to Thompson Innovations! We'r

Was she truly qualified? Co

ssured her. "Don't worry, Emily. You

nveloped her. Colleagues nodded in greeting, their faces a blur.

Rachel said, leading Emily to

took in the top-of-the-line

rkspace for the

egan to feel more at ease. Mayb

s contains your orientation package, com

scanned the contents. "This

ew everything. Your first task is to research and wri

ination igniting wit

oed from across the room. "

Ethan Thompson, the CEO, stood by his office do

rself. "I'll be r

hiver run down her spine. She couldn't explain why,

ed on her task. She had a report t

ion, Emily opened her l

tative. "Rachel, I expect nothing but excellence from

her heart racing. Was

"Don't worry, Ethan. Emily's impre

h pride. She wouldn't le

a smile played on her lips. "Ethan's impressed with y

ly, but her determination int

p. "Get familiar with our systems. Your login

iving into the material

immersed herself in paperwork,

mpress Ethan and

golden glow, Emily took a

stretched before

iew, I see," Ethan sai

a beat. Ethan's piercing blue e

Emily replied,

able. "Los Angeles has its perks. But don't

uickened. "I'll

as curt. "See

ave, Emily called

, his eyes nar

rtant aspect of this

glimpse of charm beneath his cold exterior. "Ins

fice, leaving Emily to ponder his wor

er mind, "Exceptional res

r mind racing with Ethan's words. Ins

search, determined to del

ce emptied, and Emily remaine

ailed it to Ethan, a sense of pride

impse of Ethan's office. His door was open,

nd Emily felt a j

unreadable, but his gaz

as she broke the spe

Ethan c

ck, her voice

morrow, 9 a.m. My office.

excitement and trepidat

dn't shake the feeling that she wa

arrived at Ethan's off

m her report, his e

said, his voice l

kipped a beat.

ir, steepling his fingers. "

nsion ease

es piercing, "I expect more. D

termination igni

etter," sh

, his expression soft

othing less

office, she felt a s

ld was about to collide with a f

buzzed, shrill

e," his assis

pression t

is chair, his

d he

en, and Sophia Mo

ned the room, lingering on E

ecured," Sophia said, her vo

jaw cl

d to this alliance,"

s smile

fluence. You woul

es flashed

continued

' partnership to yield

leave, her gaze swep

Emily's report, and h

hia demanded, sna

ace turne

f your

s eyes

de what co

ed out, leaving Ethan's

to Emily's report, his

n his desk

is assistant said. "Emily

gaze tur

ing around Emily ha

contin