Taming The Billionaire Ceo

raper of Steele Enterprises. Everything about the place screamed luxury, power, and intimidation. From the grand marble foyer to

et, a

bob and sharper tone called out, g

phie started, but the woman did

low

led Sophie through the corridor. Sophie could barely take it all in: the art-line

eele doesn't tolerate incompetence, or excuses. If you're un

owed hard. "

ssa pushed the door open and

e doing this, and she r

desk, his gaze fixed on a tablet. He didn

ume," he said, his

o meet you," she replied, trying

dsome, but there was nothing warm about him. His sharp cheekbones, piercing gray eyes, and t

st qualified candidate," he said bluntly. "Frankly, I don't have the patie

ut forced a polite smile. "Un

h, Sophie dived into her pitch-her qualifications, her goals, her vision for how she could c

adable. Then, he leaned back in his chair,

"But boldness without results is worthless.

ed. "Wait-ju

I waste time with formalities? Melissa

ian returned to his tablet, effe

e job. She wish she could jump up, but not now. This was h

*****

modest-a worn-out couch, a second-hand coffee table with peeling edges, and a small kitchenette that barely fit her budget. Sophie

r worth. Alicia had said alot of bad things abo

o well and I get my family out

ash came from the ki

oice followed. Sophie got to her

ir messy and her eyes dizzy. An empty beer b

broken glass. "You've got to be more careful

st the counter. "Don't start, Sophie.

phie muttered, her

r voice rising. "I'm your mother, not

he swept the broken glass into a dustpan, her hands trembling. "But I ca

to stand straight. "Don't act like you're some saint,

ng to spill over. "Struggle?" she whispered, her

broken only by the faint sound of

o the sink, her jaw tight. "You should eat som

th a dismissive wave. Sophie sighed and glanced towa

was barely big enough for the twin bed and a bookshelf, but it was his haven. He looked

his book slightly. "Ever

ile. "Yeah, just M

too young to fully interface with the weight Sophie carrie

ophie asked, nodding towa

lding it up. "It's about a kid who build

d books to escape their reality. He was the only person, she could die f

anything?" Lucas aske

"You focus on school. I'l

n three days, her mother's rehab bill was overdue, and her paycheck wouldn't stretch

, with just her first salary, she

****

ough his window. His sharp, tailored suit was neat as always, and hi

ed, his voice stea

ndling Adrian's unpredictable moods, appeared at the door with

Mr. St

Send it to my email by 7 PM. Also, have the legal team draft the acquisition

jotting everything down wi

k, "schedule a meeting with Sophie for Friday. I want her input on the marketing s

. Adrian never asked advice, from someone like Sophie-a

phone buzzed, vibrating against his d

, and unknown numbers weren't common. He gesture

he said

and deliberate. Adrian's fingers tightened aro

his?" he

ce coughed thr

laced with conspiracy. "I thought someone

oice dropped, icy and cont

he voice continued. "Sometimes, the cracks are w

ne wen

down, his pulse quickening despite his calmne

ew me

ect. No

a single

les from within.

a document-a contract he didn't re

nse of unease creeping in. Whoeve

came through. "Sir, the board is wait

, his expression unreadable

, he glanced ba

rs, Adrian Steele felt so

rtai