The Billionaire'muse

eyes forward, ignoring the flicker of cameras that flashed at her as she crossed the room. Her mother's voice-urgent, tr

n't bel

ly one goal today: to convince the board to approve her mother's charity project, the one that could finally make a di

orld had shifted, she

en waiting for-Dominic Colson-finally looked up from his phone. The room grew quieter. His piercing blue eyes met

hless business dealings, and his refusal to bend to anyone. And today, as Alexis stood before h

oice was low, dismissive, and it

flush creeping up her neck. She wouldn't le

rising in her chest. "I'm Alexis Bennett. I'm here to present

clearly unimpressed. "

ping rhythmically against the table. Alexis could feel the weight of his gaze on he

palpable, thick as fog, yet

nett," Dominic's words were clipped,

an her presentation, every word she spoke felt like an attempt to break through the invisible barrier

hed, there was

ce. "Nice speech," he said with a smirk. "But charity doesn't

g, but Alexis

ze, every inch of her determined. "Helpi

We'll see how long that idealis

ground. The cold, arrogant billionaire hadn't jus

a mistake he

d to being underestimated, but this-this was different. This was Dominic Colson. And if there was one t

happen. Not today. Not while her

, despite the rising heat in her chest. "This isn't about charity or busin

, as though the word itself tasted foreign on his tongue. "You think

is words hanging in the air. She glanced at the other board members, who remained silen

t about what makes money. It's about changing lives-giving people the chance they ne

cted: doubt. It was gone before she could fully grasp it, replaced with that same c

nt so swift it left her breathless. He rounded the table, hi

ensity of it making the room feel smaller. "You think you can just w

pressure. "I'm not playing any games. And I

ut warning, he stepped closer, so close that Alexis could feel the heat of hi

ce almost a whisper. "I've seen hundreds of people like you, thinking t

as beginning to understand something she hadn't before: Dominic Colson wasn't just a m

sn't going

ds slipping from her lips before she could thi

hem crackling with tension. "You don't kn

able, and yet something about it stirre

cold and final. "I'll think about your proposal. But don't exp

eaving Alexis standing in the center of

the right choice by walking into this room today.

had no idea what he