The Blackwood Scandal

ge's

e door closing softly behind me. I wa

y Mo

here was something in the way she held herself that commanded attention without even trying. Her skin was smooth and fair, her cheekbones high

ired with simple, black pointed heels, professional yet undeniably elegant. The briefcase beside her added a touch of formal

keeping my voice stead

y gaze without flinching "Mr.

s the one who made others feel that way. I wasn't used to being intimidated by anyone, and yet her

his throat, trying to take charge. "Shall we get sta

ackmailed," I said, "There have been threats ag

calm, but I could tell she was trying to figure me out. "What kind of threats are we ta

gaze head-on, "But it's more than that. They're threat

to need more specifics if

till annoyed that I had to explain myself further. "Let's just say I've made some... quest

voice steady as she probed furt

m not here to lay my entire

anger in her eyes. She wasn't backing down. If anyth

know what I'm dealing with. You can't expe

being questioned like this, and it took everything in me not to snap back.

That's what they're threatening to expose. I didn't commit a crime, but my family name has been tainted before, a

rowed as she spoke. "And what makes you

Look, Ms. Monroe, I'm willing to pa

my job, Mr. Blackwood. But I don't apprec

his seat, sensing the tension but keeping

on't have time for pleasantries or games. I'm not looking for

nd then she finally spoke "I

ir enough. You have until tomorrow. If I don't

e you should," she said coldly, turning on her heel and heading for the door. I

ning back to Chris, I could see the disapproval on his fac

This wasn't a situation for half-measures. And Avery Monroe wasn't s

do was wait and see

ll standing by the window, hands in my pockets, stari

Goerge?" Chris aske

And that I don't make a habit of bending for

hat'll work? I mean, you were pret

could see it in her eyes. And besides..." I paused, a small smirk tugging at the cor

the room slowly. "I

xpansion plans. The dull hum of conversation around me blending with the tapping of pens on paper. It was supposed to be a standa

eyes when she refused to let herself be intimidated. I hadn't seen anyone stand up to me like that

, the words blurring together as my thoughts wandered. What was it about her

e, snapping me back to reality. I blinked, realizing that

repeat the question?" I sa

ce but obliged, continuing on about pr

ion," said one of my executives, a look of concern etch

is is a prime opportunity for us to expan

r executive chimed in. "We can't j

mply saying that I believe the

CMO said. "We need to increase our online

to do it strategically. We can't

ships," my social media manager, John suggeste

with the right influencers. We can't afford to have our brand

do some research and come up wi

ered what she was doing, wondered If I'd see her again. I couldn't deny the spark I'd felt when

dow as I imagined her standing there, her lips curled into a sly smil

my team began to gather their thin

e. Let's make this

tive nod of agreement, chairs sc

fixed on Avery. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in trouble. I

d made the same effect on her, and whethe

ry'

eve how much he'd gotten under my skin. I prided myself on staying professional, keeping my emo

n a hand through my hair, trying

nion on something," I sa

he has been my assistant long enough to know when something

, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't kno

pboard. "George Blackwood? The billionaire?

ting it mildly. He's arrogant, secre

riguing, righ

aying on my lips. "Exactly

ully. "Ms Avery, this case could be huge for our firm. The Blackwood name

t do you mean? What ha

pened over a decade ago. George's father, a prominent businessman, allegedly killed his

ing about that, but I was still

was a big deal. It w

think it

the media painted a certain picture, but who

ess it. "And George? How

time. He worked hard to rebuild his family's reputation, from what I've heard, he's intense, driven. He started Blackw

all this that feels... off." I leaned forward on my desk, steepling my finger " I think there's more to it, though. Something he's not t

real: you're not one to back down from a challenge. And this case is exac

ere was potential here for my firm, but a part of me was holding back. George was dangerous in more ways than on

till watching me closely. "Wha

I'd take the case. But you a

d made up, I had no idea what I was getting myself into,

d letters. I couldn't let this opportunity slip away. I grabbed my phone, hovering over the screen,

When do

the glowing screen for a momen

gs, nodding goodnight to Rachel, and making my way back to the parking garage. The

he cool wood floors beneath my feet. The space around me was quiet and minimal-clean lines, neutral tones, and a few strategically placed pieces of modern art. The living room was barely furnished-a

, the hot water washing away the tension. Wrapped in a towel, I padded back into the kitchen and poured myself a glass of wine.

zed-a messag

, 10 a.m. I'l

lass in the sink, turning off the lights, I made my way to my bedroom. I set my phone down on the table and slipped out of

houghts of George spun around in my head. There was something about him-something I couldn't quite put my finger on-that left me both intrigued and

now, It was time to rest. Slowly, my thoughts blurred at t