Daniella stared at the contract. It was fifty pages thick.
"51%?" she said. "That's a hostile takeover. I'm giving you my family's legacy."
"You can refuse," Crockett said, checking his watch. "Yates's lawyers will file for liquidation of your factory in about two hours."
Daniella tasted blood. She had bitten her lip too hard. He was right. She had no choice.
She flipped to the back. "Personal Counsel. What does that entail?"
"Managing my personal assets. My trust. And cleaning up... messes," he said. "Like Yates."
He was dangling bait. He was offering her a weapon.
Daniella picked up the pen. Her hand hovered over the signature line.
"One condition," she said. "The ledger stays with me, in escrow with a third party. It is released to you only upon the successful execution of this contract, or to the SEC upon my death."
Crockett let out a short, dry laugh. "Relax. I have a strict policy against sleeping with employees. That night... predated your employment."
Daniella signed. The ink looked black and permanent. She felt like she had just sold her soul.
The door burst open.
Arthur looked panicked. "Sir, Mr. Sterling is here. He says it's urgent."
"Let him in," Crockett said, taking the contract.
Zack Sterling, the VP of Investments, stormed in. He was holding a tablet. "Crockett, you cannot sign the Diaz deal! The risk algorithm shows it's a black hole!"
Zack stopped when he saw Daniella. He sneered. "Oh. It's you. The girl who got kicked out of the Gala."
Daniella went pale.
"Watch your tone, Zack," Crockett said. His voice was quiet, but it cut through the room like a knife. "She is my new Legal Counsel."
Zack looked like he had been slapped. "Are you insane? Her ex's uncle is investigating every dollar she touches!"
"Let him investigate," Crockett stood up. He loomed over the desk. "Tell the DA that Diaz is now a Blackburn asset."
Daniella looked up at him. Her heart skipped a beat. It was a business move, she knew that. But hearing him claim her-claim the company-felt like protection.
"Fine," Zack said, tight-lipped. "But I need to run a full background check."
"Wyatt is already doing it." Crockett waved a hand of dismissal. "Get out."
Zack glared at Daniella and left, slamming the door.
The room was quiet again.
"Don't misunderstand," Crockett said, catching her look. "I just protect my investments. Nobody touches what is mine."
"Understood, sir," Daniella said. The word 'mine' echoed in her head.
"Report to HR. Tomorrow morning at eight, I want a file on every illegal transaction the Yates family has made in the last ten years."
Daniella nodded. She turned to leave.
"Daniella."
She stopped. It was the first time he had used her name since the hotel room.
"Eat breakfast next time," he said, not looking up from his papers. "Your low blood sugar makes your logic sloppy."
Daniella felt a flush rise to her cheeks. She hurried out.
Crockett watched the door close. He picked up his phone and dialed Wyatt, his head of security.
"Find out who let Yates into the ballroom that night," he said. "And fire them."
