Lia Carter's first day was already a disaster. Her bus had broken down, her phone died, and now she was sprinting across the marble lobby of Grant Enterprises like her life depended on it. Because it did—at least her job did.
She lunged forward just as the elevator doors were about to close.
"Please—hold it! "
A hand halted the doors. Firm. Sure. Wearing an expensive-looking watch. Lia stepped inside, panting.
"Thank you—" The rest of her words died.
Standing beside her was Leo Grant. Billionaire CEO. Ice king. The man is rumored to fire people for breathing too loud. Lia swallowed hard.
"You're late," he said, his voice deep and emotionless.
"I-I know, sir. First-day chaos." She attempted to smile, but her nerves betrayed her. Her portfolio fell from her arm, spilling papers as if in a dramatic movie scene.
Leo watched in silence as she scrambled to gather them. His gaze was unreadable—cold, analytical, and almost amused.
"You should be more careful," he said. "Presentation matters."
"Yes, sir." Lia wished the elevator floor would open and swallow her.
The moment the doors opened, Leo walked out with long, powerful strides. However, halfway down the hall, he paused and glanced back at her over his shoulder.
"Next time," he said, "arrive earlier."
He then vanished around the corner.
Lia let out a shaky breath.
Day one, and she'd already embarrassed herself in front of the CEO. Perfect.
But what she didn't know was that Leo Grant rarely remembered new employees. Yet he remembered her—the girl who burst into his elevator like a sudden storm. Their story had already begun.