Claimed By The Billionaire

The relentless hum of the city pulsed through the tinted windows of the black limousine as it cut through Manhattan's traffic. Inside, Adrian Steele sat in the backseat, one hand gripping his phone, the other tapping impatiently against the leather armrest. His steel-gray eyes were locked on the financial reports displayed on his screen, but his mind was elsewhere.

"She starts today?" His voice was smooth, authoritative.

"Yes, sir. Tessa Maddox should be arriving at your office within the hour," his assistant, Elijah, replied from the front seat.

Adrian's jaw tightened. He hated change, especially when it came to his staff. His last assistant had been efficient-until she made the mistake of trying to seduce him, thinking she could charm her way into his life. He had no patience for workplace entanglements. He needed competence, not complications.

"Background check came back clean?"

"Yes. She has an impressive record in the nonprofit sector, but after a... well, let's just say, an unfortunate situation, she's decided to transition into the corporate world. Overqualified for the role, honestly."

Adrian smirked. "Overqualified? That's never stopped anyone from wanting a paycheck."

Elijah hesitated. "There's more to it than that, sir. She was one of the best social workers in the city. Had a reputation for fighting the system, advocating for families others wouldn't touch. Then, suddenly, she resigned."

Adrian wasn't interested in sob stories. "As long as she does her job, I don't care why she left."

Elijah nodded but said nothing else.

Minutes later, the limousine pulled up in front of Steele Enterprises-a sleek, towering skyscraper of steel and glass that loomed over Fifth Avenue. Adrian stepped out, buttoning his charcoal suit jacket as he strode inside. Employees parted like the Red Sea as he walked through the lobby, his presence commanding attention without a word. He didn't need to speak-his reputation spoke for him.

By the time he stepped into his private elevator, his mind had already moved on. Another day. Another battle. Another deal to win.

Tessa Maddox stood in front of the massive glass doors of Steele Enterprises, gripping the strap of her purse a little too tightly. This wasn't her world. The towering building, the perfectly dressed executives brushing past her, the cold efficiency of it all-it was the complete opposite of the life she'd known.

But she didn't have the luxury of hesitation. Not anymore.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor. A receptionist glanced up from behind a sleek white desk, offering a polite but detached smile.

"Name?"

"Tessa Maddox. I'm the new executive assistant."

The woman's expression flickered for a fraction of a second-something between curiosity and pity-but it was gone so fast, Tessa almost thought she imagined it.

"Mr. Steele is expecting you. Take the elevator to the top floor."

Tessa nodded and walked toward the elevator, her heart pounding harder than she wanted to admit. This job wasn't her dream, but it was necessary. After what had happened... she needed a fresh start.

She stepped inside the private elevator, the doors sliding shut with a whisper. As the numbers climbed higher, she inhaled deeply, straightened her shoulders, and reminded herself-this was just a job.

Then why did it feel like she was walking straight into the lion's den?

When she entered the top-floor office, she barely had time to take in her surroundings before a deep, commanding voice cut through the silence.

"You're late."

Tessa's head snapped toward the source of the voice.