The Billionaire's Forbidden Touch

g tension Elena had just left behind. As the elevator doors closed behind her, she

about loyalty and proving herself echoed in her mind, gnawing at her. What did he reall

certain. She had been through more than her fair share of high-stakes events in her career, but John Ashcroft was something else entirely. The lines between professio

't afford to lose her composure. John was a man who thrived on control. If she was goin

ng. Elena pulled her coat tighter around hersel

ver stepped out and opened the door for her. Elena's brow furrowed. She ha

ly, his expression neutral. "Mr. Ashcro

ng. John didn't take kindly to disobedience. She nodded and slid into t

g. She needed answers. She needed to know exactly what John had planned and how she fit into

ying every conversation, every moment of the night. What had she missed? She had made every arrangement to the lette

outline of a figure waiting by the entrance. It was a familiar silhouette. Dressed in a tailored sui

all places-but she knew there was no turning back now. The

felt overwhelming, like a force of nature she couldn't escape. The a

e said, his voice low and comman

. "Here? At

smile. "I prefer to have things under my control,

gave a slight nod and followed him as he led her to a small courtyard adjacent to th

facing him, her body tense as she

fixed on hers, unwavering. "You di

at the way he phrased

n that you can handle the logistics of an event. But I need

ckened. "What

een watching you. You've kept your distance. You've kept your emotions in check. But now, I need to kno

t she refused to let it show. "Loyalty?" she asked, trying to keep

ersonal. "I'm asking if you'll be able to follow orders without question. If you'll be able to support me when th

ard the words, but they didn't qu

because you'll understand that I'm not asking you, Elena. I'm giving you a choice, but that

was no turning back. She had already crossed a li

bout events anymore. It wasn't about just working for him. It was someth

er that there was no choice left t

id quietly, her voice

all, satisfied smile. "Good.

s of the courtyard, her heart racing as the weight of his words settled over he

t was nothing compared to the chill spreading through her veins. She had said yes-though every part of her wanted to pull awa

se that clung to her like a second skin. She had made her

reminder that her journey with John was far from over. She

e slid into the backseat with a sense of foreboding, her thoughts heavy as she settled into the plush leather. The night was

adow of John's gaze haunted her, a constant reminder of the power he wielded. She knew she was only scratching the surface

but she didn't feel the comfort she usually did when returning home. She couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't t

building's entrance. A part of her wanted to turn around, to walk away from it all and escape

r from her thoughts. She pulled it out, gl

nterprises first thing

er what "prepared" truly meant. What was waitin

na glanced at her reflection in the mirrored walls, seeing a woman she didn't quite recognize. Her thoughts swirled as she tri

eling. She fumbled for her keys, her hands shaking slightly as she unlocked her

ines and minimalistic furniture. But tonight, it felt empty. She

y word. He wanted loyalty. He wanted her to prove herself. But what did t

ID showed an unknown number. Her stom

call without he

w you're alone. And I know you're probably questioni

he hadn't expected to hea

ce barely above a whisper. "Wha

a game. You're not a pawn to be moved around. You're someone

She felt a cold shiver ru

than ever. "For now, all you need to do is be ready. Tomorrow

d respond, the

something else- something darker, more alluring. The way he spoke to her... it wasn't just about business. It wasn't just

ng. Tomorrow would be a turning point. Whether she was rea

-

ident yet controlled. The jacket fit perfectly over her slim figure, and the pencil skirt hugged her curves in all the righ

. Today would be the test. And no matter what happened,

she approached the towering glass building. She could already see the imposing figure of t

dy despite the butterflies in her stomach. She made her way inside, her

oors was a stark reminder of how much had changed in the last 24 hours. She had b

Enterprises. Everything about the place screamed power- modern, sleek, and expensive. But it was more

e her to his office. This was it. The moment where everything would

e, inscrutable gaze that met hers was the last thing she saw before the elevat