BOUND BY HIS TERMS

Hart'

have step

s agreement, his cash, and his arrogant, i

I chose

I created was no l

rters. The carefully selected fabrics and comfortable disorder of my former design area were no more. In

xiety buzzing in my chest. "Miss Hart, Mr. Vale is on

ught to have sensed strength. Rather, I sensed that I was being watch

floor, the doors swu

ke a personal empire. He turned around, his gaze locking onto me with that same calm inten

remarked, not gla

idered," I respon

did

how accur

ty as Creative Director within the new framework. A fashion technology conference is taking pl

f on the folder. "Are

e the world can recogn

can be kep

perception of control, Lila." It's not a

he urge

ed the connected design studio, and

perty he possessed seemed very mu

soul of my previous place. No drawings on the walls. No incomp

," I whispe

that integrated technology, aimed at combining AI-driven fabrics with eco-fri

previously establis

ped as I turn

r theory. Uniform sewing designs. It

ad impers

.. someone had

d two years back. The shapes, the substance, the integ

xplanation

quietly, marching

composed, balanced, a glass of whiskey in hand

icated my

he responded. "Prior to th

ot your ent

s soon as you agreed

s forme

r to the acquisition." "You had

it on my own," h

struck lik

d months... o

g." "Acquirin

is th

man I was preparing to rely on fo

o possess me entirely, in

ur hands tremble when discussing setbacks. You design as if you're trying to prove somethi

my breath trappe

oked

lone in battl

as if it had the solutions. The city seemed to feel less like home now. More

age and sketched un

ot for validation.

meant f

y m

the stairs, I found my s

ure it wasn't l

slowly and

untouched until I no

sting on my desk as if i

it open

was a p

beside a man who resembled his t

nscribed in swi

with you." "Exactly

became

ied the individ

s my

office. The room seemed colder in a way, more vacant, yet his voic

e the ultimate conditions. His conditions. My name already written clea

e other side, the scared, fatigued, hop

ne vib

v

am unable to clarify t

ing like quiet observers. I created something genuine. A lovely sight. Yet now,

k the

aled

n-I hes

et, partially obscured by the shadows

k coat, remaining e

ight up at

till. Not

erv

een anticipati