365 Days with my Nemesis

365 Days with my Nemesis

Veronica lodge

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Raven Dark has spent years clawing her way to the top in the cutthroat world of tech, but her ultimate goal has always been revenge. Matt Hank-the arrogant billionaire CEO of Hank Tech Industries-is the man she blames for her family's ruin. Ruthless, charming, and infuriatingly handsome, Matt is everything she despises... and everything she secretly desires. When a high-stakes project forces Raven and Matt to work together for 365 days, their explosive rivalry takes an unexpected turn. Heated boardroom battles give way to smoldering stolen moments, and the line between enemies and lovers blurs dangerously. But as Raven uncovers a shocking truth about her past, her carefully constructed plans begin to unravel. With both their careers and hearts on the line, can Raven and Matt trust each other enough to survive the betrayals threatening to destroy them

Chapter 1 Episode 1

Raven Dark stared at her reflection in the towering mirror of her penthouse bedroom. The sharp, tailored black suit clung to her curves like armor, the kind that demanded respect-and, in some cases, fear. Her dark hair was swept back into a sleek ponytail, her crimson lipstick standing out like a battle cry against her porcelain skin. Today wasn't just another day at the office. Today was war.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, shattering the tense silence. She didn't have to look at the screen to know it was her assistant, Harper, reminding her of the meeting that had been circling her calendar like a vulture for weeks. She grabbed her phone, swiping the message away with a flick of her thumb.

"Matt Hank," she muttered under her breath, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. The name tasted bitter, like the wine you sip out of obligation at charity events. The man who stood at the pinnacle of her hatred-a billionaire tech mogul who exuded arrogance from every polished pore.

Raven slid her phone into her handbag and glanced at the city skyline outside her floor-to-ceiling windows. New York looked deceptively serene from this height. The chaos of the streets below was muted, but Raven knew better. She thrived on chaos. Thrived on turning it to her advantage.

By the time she entered the towering office building of GenexaTech, her company, her heels echoed against the marble floors like gunshots. The lobby was abuzz with early morning energy, a blend of sharp suits and hurried whispers. Harper was waiting by the elevators, clutching a tablet like it was a shield.

"Good morning, Ms. Dark," Harper greeted, her tone formal but tinged with nervousness.

"Don't say it," Raven snapped, stepping into the elevator as Harper hurried to follow.

"I wasn't going to," Harper lied, her wide eyes betraying her thoughts. "But... for the record, I did read his bio again. Just in case."

"Spare me the flattery. I know exactly who Matt Hank is." Raven pressed the button for the 35th floor, her jaw tightening. "The tech world's golden boy. Innovator. Philanthropist. Genius. And let's not forget-asshole."

Harper coughed awkwardly, clearly debating whether to agree or stay silent. She chose the latter, shifting uncomfortably as the elevator ascended.

By the time they reached the conference room, Raven's mask of icy composure was firmly in place. The doors swung open to reveal a scene she had prepared for but still loathed.

Matt Hank was already seated at the head of the table.

His presence hit her like a punch to the gut. He was taller than she remembered-broad-shouldered, effortlessly poised, with a sharp jawline that seemed carved out of marble. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his piercing blue eyes locked onto her with a spark of amusement that made her skin crawl.

"Ms. Dark," Matt drawled, rising from his chair. His voice was smooth, confident, and laced with just enough mockery to set her teeth on edge. "I see you've decided to grace us with your presence."

Raven's heels clicked against the polished floor as she strode to her seat across from him, her smile cold and calculated. "Mr. Hank. I wasn't aware punctuality was a competition. If I had known, I would have arrived early to watch you gloat."

A low chuckle escaped Matt's lips as he sat back down, his gaze never leaving hers. "I don't gloat, Raven. I just win."

"Debatable," she shot back, her tone saccharine as she opened her laptop.

The tension in the room was palpable as the rest of the team shuffled in, their awkward glances darting between the two combatants. Raven barely noticed. Her focus was entirely on Matt, and she refused to give him the satisfaction of rattling her.

The meeting began, with the project lead launching into a presentation about the partnership between GenexaTech and Hank Industries-a billion-dollar collaboration designed to revolutionize artificial intelligence. Raven clenched her jaw, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. She'd fought tooth and nail against this deal, but the board had overruled her. Now, she was stuck working alongside the man who represented everything she despised.

As the presentation droned on, Matt leaned back in his chair, one arm casually draped over the backrest. His confidence was infuriating, and Raven could feel his gaze burning into her like a spotlight. Finally, he spoke, his voice cutting through the room like a knife.

"Interesting concept," Matt said, his tone dripping with condescension. "But don't you think it's a bit... ambitious? I mean, GenexaTech isn't exactly known for taking risks."

Raven's eyes snapped to his, her smile razor-sharp. "Ambition is what drives innovation, Mr. Hank. Perhaps Hank Industries should try it sometime instead of coasting on inherited success."

A collective intake of breath filled the room, the tension thick enough to slice. Matt's smile didn't falter, but his eyes darkened, a storm brewing behind them.

"Well, Raven," he said, leaning forward slightly. "If you want to talk about inherited success, we could discuss how GenexaTech's founder-oh, wait. My legal team advised me not to bring up family scandals during business meetings."

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the table, her carefully constructed facade threatening to crack. "That's funny, Matt. I didn't realize your lawyers were so concerned about words. Maybe they should focus on your company's tendency to flirt with ethical gray areas."

Before Matt could respond, the project lead cleared his throat loudly, his face pale as he tried to steer the conversation back on track. "Uh, perhaps we should focus on the technical aspects of the proposal?"

Raven forced herself to relax, taking a deep breath as she leaned back in her chair. She wasn't going to let Matt Hank get under her skin. Not today. Not ever.

By the time the meeting ended, her nails had left crescent-shaped marks on her palm. Matt lingered, of course, because he lived to irritate her. As the room cleared out, he sauntered over to her, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.

"You know," he began, his voice low and almost conversational, "you don't have to try so hard to hate me. I'm really not that bad once you get to know me."

Raven's laugh was sharp and humorless as she stood, meeting his gaze head-on. "Let me make one thing clear, Matt. I don't need to get to know you. I already know everything I need to: you're arrogant, selfish, and completely insufferable."

His smirk widened, and for a moment, Raven hated how infuriatingly handsome he looked. "If that's how you feel, it's going to be a long year."

"Oh, don't worry," she shot back, grabbing her laptop and heading for the door. "I plan to make it unbearable-for you."

As she walked away, she could feel his eyes on her, the weight of his smirk lingering in the air like a challenge. It was only the first day, and already, the battle lines had been drawn.

One year. Three hundred and sixty-five days of working with Matt Hank.

Raven couldn't decide whether it was a nightmare-or an opportunity to bring him to his knees.

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