Love wasn't part of the plan

large conference table in Kian's office, her fingers drumming lightly against the smooth surface. Around her, the room was immaculate-steri

skyscrapers glowing in the soft dawn light. It was beau

ashed on the screen: *"Be careful. You're diving into deep waters."* Arya smiled

professional, competent, but guarded. She caught a few curious glances, the silent quest

thusiasm showed just enough to inspire confidence without drawi

k folder of preliminary plans. "We're working on a full penthouse renov

ity settle on her shoulders. This was her chance t

-

ames, dates, and snippets of information she could weave into her story. But the deeper she searched, the more she realized how tightly controll

, philanthropic, private. No scandal

ago that every polished

tense, distant eyes. He hadn't recognized her then-or maybe he

-

he was gathering her notes, the door to the office swung

her last name like a brand stamp. "H

ted drafting some initial layouts and gathered ideas that

Good. This project needs to embody the future we're b

d. "I und

orking out of this office for the next two months. Tha

deadlines are met,

vulnerability she barely caught before it

you need anything," he sai

r clicked shut behind him. She wa

-

screen of her laptop. The design files she'd accessed through Simone's

tion creeping in. How was she supposed to uncov

her desk-a childhood picture of her and Lara,

o find an

-

badges, employee badges, and the patterns of people's comings and goings. She learned which floors were restricted, which offices had cameras, and wh

d. He was always polite but distant, his eyes

they were both circling the same secret, neither willing to reve

-

executives discussing an upcoming board meeting-something about a new partnership that

lights flickering as dusk fell. This was more than a des

she risk? How f

-

caught a glimpse of Kian standing alone in his glass-walled office. Hi

but the furrow in his brow

e man behind the legend. Not just the billiona

-

d began to write-not for her editor,

o find the truth. Two mon

now wa

she th