Anna had barely recovered from yesterday's trial when Claire appeared at her desk the next morning, lips curved in the faintest smirk.
"Mr. Knight wants you in the conference room. Now."
Anna's stomach dropped. Another meeting. Another chance for him to corner her with impossible expectations. Still, she smoothed her skirt, grabbed her notepad, and followed.
The conference room was already buzzing when she entered. Executives sat stiffly around the polished table, laptops open, documents scattered. At the head sat Alexander Knight, immaculately dressed as always, a storm hidden behind those calm, steel-grey eyes.
His gaze lifted the moment she stepped inside. "Miss Williams. Right on time."
It wasn't a compliment. It was a test in itself.
Anna sat near the end, pen poised, trying to still her racing pulse.
"Today," Alexander began, his deep voice slicing through the chatter, "we're negotiating the CarterTech partnership. Our reputation depends on securing this deal. And since some of you," his eyes flicked toward the executives, sharp as knives, "failed to deliver in the last round of talks, we're changing tactics."
Murmurs filled the room.
Anna lowered her gaze, furiously taking notes, until Alexander's next words froze her in place.
"Miss Williams will represent Knight Global in this discussion."
Her pen slipped from her fingers, clattering against the table. The entire room turned to stare at her, disbelief etched on their faces.
Claire, seated across from her, raised a perfectly arched brow, her smirk widening.
Anna's heart thudded painfully. "Sir, I-I'm not-"
Alexander's eyes locked onto hers, cutting off her protest. "You heard me. You'll be speaking for this company. The CarterTech team will arrive in ten minutes. Prepare yourself."
A hush fell over the room.
Anna's throat tightened. She wasn't ready for this. She was an assistant, not a negotiator. One wrong word and she could tank a multimillion-dollar deal.
He's setting me up to fail.
The realization sent a chill down her spine. But as panic clawed at her chest, she saw something flicker in Alexander's eyes-a challenge. He wanted to see if she would crumble.
Her fear hardened into determination.
She rose from her seat slowly, her hands trembling just enough to betray her nerves. "Very well, Mr. Knight," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "I'll handle it."
A dangerous spark lit in his gaze, and for the briefest moment, she thought she saw approval.
---
Ten minutes later, Anna found herself across from the CarterTech executives, every pair of eyes dissecting her like she was prey. Their lead negotiator, Mr. Benson, smirked openly.
"This is unusual," he said smoothly, glancing at Alexander. "You're letting your assistant handle negotiations? Bold. Or desperate."
Laughter rippled around the table.
Anna's cheeks burned, but she forced herself to keep her expression calm. "You'll find I'm more than just an assistant," she replied, meeting his gaze head-on.
The smirk faltered.
She laid out the key points she had memorized from Alexander's files, her voice gaining strength with each word. The room grew quieter as she spoke, the executives' smugness fading into reluctant attention.
Behind her, she could feel Alexander watching. Silent. Measuring.
By the time she finished, the CarterTech team no longer looked amused. Mr. Benson leaned back in his chair, studying her with newfound respect. "Impressive. Not what I expected."
Anna lifted her chin. "Knight Global doesn't waste anyone's time. If you're serious about this partnership, you'll know our terms are more than fair."
The room held its breath. Then Benson chuckled, nodding slowly. "Very well. Consider it a deal."
Shock rippled through the executives. The contract was secured.
Anna exhaled, her chest rising and falling as adrenaline coursed through her veins.
Alexander finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying a weight that silenced the entire room.
"Miss Williams," he said, his gaze locked on hers, unreadable, "remind me never to underestimate you again."
The words struck her harder than any compliment she'd ever received.
But then his eyes narrowed slightly, and his next words were laced with a challenge that made her blood run cold.
"Don't think for a second this means you've won. This was only the beginning."
Anna's hands tightened around her notepad, her heart pounding with equal parts fear and exhilaration.
She had survived his dangerous bet. But she knew, deep down-Alexander Knight wasn't done with her. Not even close.
