Chapter 3 The game begins

Alexis barely slept that night. Her mind wouldn't stop racing, replaying every word Dominic Colson had spoken, every glance from Mr. Hauser, and the mysterious text that had sent a chill down her spine. She was still trying to make sense of it all when she arrived at her mother's charity office the next morning.

The small, modest building felt like a haven compared to the towering glass structures of Colson Enterprises. Alexis slipped inside, the familiar scent of paper and coffee grounding her. She needed to focus, to figure out her next move.

The door swung open, and her assistant, Sarah, entered with a stack of papers in her hand.

"You've got another meeting today, right?" Sarah asked, glancing up from her clipboard.

Alexis nodded absently, her thoughts still on the cryptic message. "Yes, but I don't think I'm going. Not yet, at least."

"Why not?"

"The more I think about it, the more I realize I'm playing into his hands. Dominic Colson doesn't care about charity. He cares about power, about winning. And Hauser... I don't even know what game he's playing."

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I think Colson wants to see how far I'll go. He wants me to compromise. To bend my values." Alexis's fingers gripped the edge of her desk as she stared out the window, the city's skyline in the distance. "But I can't let that happen. I'll prove him wrong, but I'm not going to lose myself in the process."

Sarah walked over, placing a hand on Alexis's shoulder. "You're stronger than you think. Just don't let them use you."

Alexis gave her a tight smile. "I won't."

Later that afternoon, Alexis found herself back at Colson Enterprises. Her gut twisted with a mixture of nerves and resolve as she stepped off the elevator and into the sleek lobby. This time, she wasn't alone. Sarah had insisted on accompanying her, offering moral support. But Alexis knew she had to face Colson on her own.

She was ready for whatever came next.

As they approached the conference room, Alexis's phone buzzed again.

Another message from the unknown number:

"You're already in too deep. Back out before it's too late. Trust no one."

Her blood ran cold. Was this a threat? Or a warning?

Before she could respond, the door to the conference room opened, and there he was-Dominic Colson, standing like a shadow at the head of the table, watching her with those unreadable eyes. His expression didn't change as she entered, but the air between them shifted.

"I hope you've come prepared, Miss Bennett," he said, his voice cool, smooth, and far too composed.

Alexis gave him a steady look. "I don't need to prepare for you. You think you know how this is going to play out, but you're wrong."

Dominic's lips curved into a thin smile. "You misunderstand. I'm not here to judge you, Miss Bennett. I'm here to see if you're worthy of this game."

Her stomach tightened. This was it. This was the moment where everything would either fall apart or come together.

"Let's get started, then," she said, her voice steady despite the thudding of her heart.

The meeting dragged on for what felt like hours. Dominic asked question after question, testing her knowledge, her resolve, her willingness to bend. But Alexis stood firm. She knew that every word she spoke was a line in a game she didn't fully understand, but she couldn't back down now.

As the meeting neared its end, Dominic rose, moving toward the window, his back to her. The soft hum of the city below filled the silence.

"You've done well, Miss Bennett," he said, turning back toward her. "But I've seen enough to know you're not just here to play by the rules."

Alexis stiffened. "I never said I was."

Dominic's gaze sharpened. "Then prove it." He walked back to his desk, where a folder sat. He slid it across to her. "Take this. It's the next step. If you can handle it, you might just have what it takes. But remember, in this world, loyalty comes at a price."

Alexis hesitated, her hand hovering over the folder. She could feel his eyes on her, waiting for her reaction. Was this another test? Or had she just been handed something that would change everything?

She opened the folder, scanning the contents. Her stomach dropped. Inside was a contract. A partnership proposal.

But this wasn't just any partnership. It was a business deal that linked Colson Enterprises with her mother's charity.

Her breath caught. This was everything she wanted. But then, her eyes fell on the fine print. The terms. The conditions. It was clear as day.

To accept this deal, she would have to betray her values. There were clauses that demanded complete control over the charity's finances, the board's decisions-everything. It was a hostile takeover disguised as generosity.

"You've got one choice, Alexis," Dominic's voice broke through her thoughts, cold and final. "Sign the deal, or walk away. But if you walk away, don't expect to come back."

Twist:

The door opened just then, and Sarah stepped in, her eyes wide as she saw the contract Alexis was holding.

"Alexis, don't-"

she started, but stopped when she saw the look on Alexis's face.

Dominic smiled, watching the exchange with quiet amusement. "You're at a crossroads, Miss Bennett. The clock is ticking. Choose wisely."

The weight of his words hung in the air, suffocating. Alexis's mind raced. This wasn't just about money or power. This was about integrity. This was about everything she had built, everything she had worked for.

And then, as if the universe was playing its final hand, her phone buzzed again.

"You've been warned. Don't trust anyone. Especially him."

Her heart stopped.