Chapter 3 SHADOW WOLF

THE DEVIL BILLIONAIRE PERSONAL ASSISTANT

(Life takes turn)

CHAPTER 2

Whaat ?" Oliver ask unsure of what he just heard.

What"?....huh...?" Emily ask back Feigning innocence

. "Allow me to introduce you to someone who will be... instrumental in your new role. This is Ms. Vivienne Dubois."

Vivienne, a tall, platinum blonde woman in a sharp pantsuit, eyed Emily with cold, calculating blue eyes.

"Miss Chen," Vivienne said, her voice smooth, with a European accent Emily couldn't place. "Welcome to... our world."

"Welcome... oh, thank you, Miss Vivienne," Emily stammered, her surprise clear in her slightly flustered tone. She hadn't expected anyone else to be present during this already nerve-wracking meeting with Oliver Williams.

The blonde woman's sharp scrutiny threw her off balance. Vivienne's lips curved into that same polished, yet distant, smile. Her icy blue eyes remained fixed on Emily, studying her face, her attire, the way she held her handbag. It wasn't outright hostility, but a cool, detached curiosity-as if Emily were an interesting but ultimately insignificant specimen.

She's... petite, Vivienne noted, her gaze flicking over Emily's smaller frame. And surprisingly... cute. Not at all the hardened corporate type one might expect for this role. Interesting.

Oliver observed the exchange with subtle amusement. He had orchestrated Vivienne's presence, though not entirely for the reasons Emily might assume.

His mother's constant remarks about his lack of a romantic life had become an irritating, ever-present hum in the background of his days. While he had no intention of giving in to her matchmaking efforts, having Vivienne around served multiple purposes.

First, her sharp intellect and unwavering loyalty made her a valuable confidante. Second... well, maybe her presence would discourage this unexpected assistant from lingering longer than necessary.

He still couldn't fathom why Emily Chen, a manager in a finance division, had agreed to this temporary reassignment. Unless... his thoughts turned cynical. Unless she saw it as an opportunity. An opportunity to get closer to him, to his wealth, to his power. The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth. He'd learned long ago that people rarely had pure motives when it came to him.

Such a determined-looking woman, he thought, his gaze lingering on Emily's slightly furrowed brow. Or maybe just... naive. The memory of Sophie's betrayal in his university days still stung. The calculated manipulation hidden behind innocent smiles festered like an open wound. Trust was a luxury he couldn't afford. He had no idea that Emily hadn't willingly accepted this role.

His mother's increasing inquiries about his personal life had escalated recently. It wasn't that he was against relationships in principle, but the scars from his past ran deep. Sophie's betrayal had been a brutal lesson, leaving him wary and cynical about romantic entanglements.

Five years had passed, but the memory of her deceit still felt raw, a constant reminder of how easily one could be hurt. Hell no, he thought again, the resolve hardening in his green eyes. Vivienne had been a constant throughout those turbulent years.

Their friendship stretched back to childhood, forged through shared experiences and unwavering support. When they were eighteen, during a summer trip to Europe, Vivienne had confessed her feelings for him. It had been a delicate moment, one that could have altered their dynamic forever.

Oliver, valuing their friendship above all else, had gently declined, explaining that he couldn't risk losing the stability and understanding they shared for the unpredictability of a romantic relationship. Vivienne had been hurt at first but ultimately respected his decision, and their friendship had endured, perhaps even deepened, over the years.

Now, he had indeed called Vivienne to Los Angeles. He hadn't asked her to chase Emily away directly, but he knew Vivienne understood his unspoken desires. Her fiercely protective nature and her lingering feelings for him would likely lead her to subtly-if not overtly-make Emily's new role as uncomfortable as possible. He couldn't dismiss his mother's chosen assistant outright, but maybe Vivienne could expedite the process.

"Miss Chen will be... assisting me with various personal and professional matters," Oliver stated, his tone deliberately vague, his eyes flicking to Vivienne for silent approval. "Vivienne is a... close associate, often working alongside me on various projects."

Vivienne inclined her head gracefully. "Indeed. I look forward to working with you, Miss Chen. Though I must admit, Mr. Williams's... requirements can be rather... unique." Her tone was polite, almost welcoming, but with an underlying edge, as though warning Emily that she was stepping into a world she might not fully comprehend.

Emily felt another wave of unease. This wasn't just about Oliver Williams. This elegant, sharp-eyed woman held significant sway in his life, and her presence added a layer of complexity to an already daunting situation.

"I... I understand, Mr. Williams," Emily replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt. "I am here to assist in any way I can."

"Good," Oliver said curtly, turning towards his desk. "Eleanor has likely shown you to your office?"

"Yes, she has," Emily confirmed. "It's... right next door."

"Excellent. For now, I have a few urgent matters that require my attention. Vivienne will brief you on some of the initial tasks. Familiarize yourself with the schedule I sent over. It is... subject to change, often without notice. Flexibility is crucial in this role, Miss Chen." His gaze flickered back to her, a subtle challenge in his green eyes.

"I'm a very organized and adaptable person, Mr. Williams," Emily stated, her chin lifting slightly. She wouldn't let his dismissive tone undermine her professionalism.

Oliver offered another curt nod, turning his attention fully to the papers on his desk, effectively dismissing her.

"Come, Miss Chen," Vivienne said, a graceful wave of her hand directing Emily to the door. "Let's get you acquainted with the... intricacies of Mr. Williams's world." Her smile was polite, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Emily followed Vivienne out of the study, a swirl of questions forming in her mind. Who exactly was Vivienne Dubois? What kind of "unique" requirements did Oliver have? And what had she really walked into?

Vivienne led Emily to the small office Eleanor had shown her earlier. The space was surprisingly well-appointed, with a large desk, a comfortable chair, and state-of-the-art equipment. But it felt sterile, impersonal-there was none of the warmth Emily had in her office at WD financial inc

Vivienne leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed, eyes still fixed on Emily. "So, Miss Chen," she began, her voice smooth and measured. "Tell me, what do you know about Mr. Williams?"

Emily hesitated. "Only what I've heard around the company... and what his mother told me."

Vivienne's lips twitched slightly. "And what did you hear around the company?"

Emily chose her words carefully. "That he is... a very powerful and influential figure. That he is... demanding. And that he values discretion above all else."

Vivienne raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "An astute summary. And what did his mother tell you?"

"She said... he needed someone organized and efficient to help him manage his schedule and various commitments," Emily replied, omitting Mrs. Williams's more personal concerns about her son.

Vivienne pushed herself off the doorframe, pacing around Emily slowly, like a predator assessing its prey. "And did she tell you about the... other aspects of his life, Miss Chen?" she asked, her voice dropping slightly, her icy blue eyes narrowing. "The aspects that go beyond boardrooms and financial reports?"

Emily met her gaze steadily. "No, she did not. But I am prepared to handle whatever is required of me."

Vivienne stopped in front of Emily, her gaze unwavering. "Are you truly, Miss Chen? Because Mr. Williams's world is not for the faint of heart. It is a world of immense power, yes, but also of... significant complexities. Loyalties are tested, lines are blurred, and things are rarely as they seem."

Emily swallowed, forcing a calm she didn't quite feel. "I understand that I may be stepping outside my usual professional comfort zone, Ms. Dubois. But I assure you, I am not easily intimidated."

Vivienne's cool smile returned. "Intimidation is not always the most effective tool, Miss Chen. Sometimes, it is the subtle nuances, the unspoken expectations, that are far more... challenging."

She picked up the schedule on Emily's desk, flipping through it with practiced ease. "Let's start with this. As Mr. Williams mentioned, it is fluid. Very fluid. You will need to be available at a moment's notice, often outside of regular working hours. His personal life and his professional life are... intertwined."

Vivienne continued, and Emily listened intently, trying to absorb the overwhelming list of tasks. Business meetings, charity galas, private appointments, and cryptic entries like "Meeting – The Collector" and "Call – Shadow Wolf." It was a far cry from the predictable rhythm of her finance department days.

"You will also be managing his personal correspondence, filtering calls, and ensuring his privacy is maintained at all times," Vivienne added. "He values his privacy above everything else. Any breach of trust will not be... tolerated." Her gaze sharpened as she emphasized this, the warning unmistakable.

"I understand," Emily affirmed. "Discretion is paramount."

"Indeed," Vivienne agreed. "You will also be liaising with his security team, his household staff, and various... other individuals." She paused, her eyes flicking to Emily's. "Some of whom may not always operate within the conventional boundaries of the law."

Emily's breath caught. This was a stark reminder of the rumors she had heard-the whispers of Oliver's darker side.

"I... I am a professional, Ms. Dubois," Emily said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I will handle all interactions with the necessary professionalism and discretion."

Vivienne studied her for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, she placed the schedule back on the desk. "Very well, Miss Chen. Your first task is to familiarize yourself with this. Mr. Williams has a lunch meeting at twelve-thirty. He will expect you to have all the relevant documents prepared and to accompany him."

"Relevant documents?" Emily asked, feeling a sense of unease creeping in. "I haven't been briefed on... anything."

Vivienne's smile was thin. "That is where your organizational skills come in, Miss Chen. Mr. Williams expects you to anticipate his needs. Eleanor will provide access to his digital files. You will need to learn quickly."

Before Emily could ask more questions, Vivienne's phone rang. She glanced at the screen and answered immediately. "Hi Thomas..." Her tone was crisp, businesslike. She moved away, her conversation a low murmur Emily couldn't quite decipher.

Emily took a deep breath and sat down at her desk, eyes scanning the daunting schedule. Anticipate his needs? Learn quickly? This was going to be far more challenging than she had ever imagined.

Eleanor appeared at the door. "Miss Chen? Mr. Williams asked me to provide you with access to his files." She handed Emily a USB drive. "Everything you need should be on there. If you have any questions about the system, just let me know."

"Thank you, Eleanor," Emily said, offering a grateful smile.

As Eleanor left, Emily plugged the USB drive into her computer, navigating the labyrinthine file system. Folders, subfolders, encrypted documents-there was so much information, it was overwhelming.

Vivienne ended her phone call and turned back to Emily. "Right, Miss Chen. I have another meeting to attend. I trust you can manage until lunchtime?"

"Yes, Ms. Dubois," Emily replied, her eyes still glued to the screen.

"Good. Be punctual. Mr. Williams does not appreciate tardiness."

With that, Vivienne turned and left the office, the sharp click of her heels echoing in the hallway.

Emily was alone. Surrounded by the silent opulence of Oliver Williams's world, armed with a daunting schedule and a USB drive full of cryptic files.

As she delved deeper into the digital files, a new notification popped up on her screen. An email from an unknown address. The subject line simply read: "SHADOW WOLF" chill ran down her spine.

One of the cryptic entries from the schedule had just materialized.

Emily stared at the email notification. "Shadow Wolf?"

To be continued