Claimed by the CEO

ake up. Go to work. Rush back home to check on her sick father. Repeat. Nothing extraordinary ever happened to her-at least,

had starte

nother notice in her trembling hands. The papers scattered across the worn wooden table, eac

d still, the money wasn't enough. Her father, once a proud architect, now la

embled. She forced a smile for her aunt, grabbed her worn

d her portfolio-filled with résumés she'd been handing out endlessly-to her chest. Today, she

Thousands wanted a job the

n tatters. The building was intimidating, a gleaming fortress that screamed wealth and authori

," a receptionist said,

ly noticed when the elevator doors opened, or when the atmosp

she s

nder

mpeccably tailored black suit, he exuded cold authority. His expression was unreadable

t Alexander ignored them all, heading straight for the elevators. His pr

didn't belong in his world. But fat

o, someone bumped into her, sending

er the scattered sheets. One page skidded across

sto

tified, as his gaze dropped to the paper. Slowly, he be

d. Then his eyes lifte

se, like he could see through her, stripp

smooth, but carried the weight of autho

mmered, taking it back

fore he turned away and entered the elevator. The doors c

shakily, che

ispered to herself, th

s, cold-hearted, untouchable. The kind of man who destr

e had no business

ehow, s

-

her skills, but her mind kept drifting back to that piercing gaze. When it ended, she left

asn't done

the awning of a luxury hotel to catch her breath. She was drenched, her cloth

e muttered, wringi

exited, their laughter loud, their cigars leaving

tered. Twice in o

aked clothes, the ruined papers clutched to her chest. For a heartbeat,

na felt that same suffocating p

rked. "Another stray, Knigh

ward, stopping just inches away from Anna. The rain pound

She wanted to step ba

poke. "You're

ed. "E-ex

ly. "And now here you are again." His gaze flicked t

"I-I wasn't following you

a smile, more like a dangerous smir

reached into his pocket, pulled out

ice tomorrow. T

t the card, s

time. And you... are either a distraction I

exander turned and walked away, disappe

to her chest, heart p

d just

had Alexander Knight-the u

. Her life would neve