Veils Of Deceit

The hum of the bustling city outside seemed a distant memory as she stepped into the towering skyscraper. Inside, the cold,

f man who saw people as mere pawns in a game of corporate chess. But hearing about him and meeting him were

ably dressed assistant. The woman was trying to maintain a professional smile,

ting you," the assistan

of the meeting ahead swirling like a storm in her head. She had worked hard to get to this point-years of diligence, late nig

ad built an e

e him through the gap-the infamous CEO, seated behind a polished mahogany desk, his back to her. He was speaking to so

luntary shiver r

d stood up, his tall frame casting a shadow over the room. H

features made him look like he had stepped out of a high-fashion magazine, but it was the int

, almost too smooth, like liquid silk

terms, forced into this meeting by circumstances beyond her control. She had no c

ncy to greet her properly. He stood there, staring at her with that

te the rising tide of anger bubbling beneath the

ing, it widened ever so slightly,

come," he replied, his voice laced with mock s

to show any sign of weakness. She had worked to

said, her tone colder now. "Wh

, his gaze never leaving her. "Please, take a

g. "I'm not here to collaborate with you. I'm he

, but he thought better of it. Instead, he took a seat behin

g pause. "But the truth is, this partnership is be

in the same room with the man she loathed more than anything. Every fiber of her being

rtnership' works?" she asked, forci

something-amusement? Antic

e impressive. You've built a reputation, one that I admire-despite our... differences. I need

his smooth words. She had been in this game long enough to

st you?" she asked, the sarc

for now, all you need to know is that your involvement will bring you the success you've always wanted. Your reput

to control the surge of frustrati

"This isn't about success or influence. This is about do

ed the office, she saw a flicker of something real in Ryan's eyes-anger,

erious. "I know more about right and wrong than you think. A

onship shifted. But Amara refused to let it fool her. She wasn't here for redemption; she was here for answ

standing up to leave. "But don't mistake my si

r wavering from hers. "I wouldn't

Beneath the fury, there was something else-a curiosity that she couldn't shake. Som

promised herself,