*This is a mistake,* I reminded myself. Yet, deep down, I understood there was no other choice.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed through the front doors, resolved to keep my composure. The lobby was immaculate, adorned with marble floors and glass walls that reflected the high-powered world Carter ruled. I barely had a moment to collect my thoughts when the receptionist looked up from her desk.

“Mr. Dane will see you now,” she said with a knowing smile that caught me off guard.

I hadn’t informed anyone of my visit.

Before I could inquire how she knew I was there, she gestured toward the elevator, and I found myself stepping inside. Each second in that silent elevator felt like an eternity, my mind racing. What would I say? How could I even begin to ask for his help after everything? I loathed the thought that he had been right all along.

The doors opened with a soft ding, revealing a lavish office suite on the top floor. I squared my shoulders and moved forward, walking down the hallway toward his office. The familiar, polished wooden doors loomed ahead, and for a brief moment, I hesitated.

I shouldn’t be here. This wasn’t what I wanted.

But when I considered the chaos waiting for me outside this building—the false rumors, the damage to my company’s reputation—it became clear that I needed his influence, his connections. And Carter Dane, no matter how exasperating, was the one person who could resolve it in an instant.

I pushed the door open.

Carter stood behind his desk, his back to me as he gazed out the floor-to-ceiling windows. The view from here was stunning, the entire city sprawling before him. He didn’t turn around immediately.

Carter stood behind his desk, his back to me as he gazed out the floor-to-ceiling windows. The view was stunning, the entire city sprawling before him. He didn’t turn around immediately, but I knew he heard me enter. 

“Dane,” I greeted him, my tone stiff. He turned slowly, a small, amused smile tugging at his lips as he leaned back against the edge of his desk. “Lina,” he replied, his deep voice resonating in the room. He crossed his arms, casually assessing me. “I didn’t expect you to arrive so soon.” I chose not to respond to that. “You know why I’m here.” 

He raised an eyebrow and shifted to sit cross-legged on his desk, now facing me directly. “Why don’t you tell me?” I swallowed my pride and began my explanation. 

“There’s information circulating online—about my company. False reports, damaging rumors. If this isn’t addressed, it could destroy everything.” As I spoke, Carter stood up and started walking toward me. I felt the heat of his presence as he closed the distance, and instinctively, I took a step back. His deliberate approach quickened my heartbeat, and I realized too late that I was retreating. I felt a small thud as my back hit the wall behind me. 

Panic surged through me, but Carter moved too swiftly for me to escape. Before I could react, his arm came up, one hand resting on the wall just above my head, while the other palm spread open beside me, effectively trapping me between him and the cold surface.