Chapter 1 The unforeseen force

The sharp click of stiletto heels echoed across the polished marble floor of the conference room. Alexis Bennett kept her eyes forward, ignoring the flicker of cameras that flashed at her as she crossed the room. Her mother's voice-urgent, trembling with worry-had been the only thing that had coaxed her into this world of high-rise towers and ruthless executives.

She didn't belong here.

Not among these suits. Not in this glass fortress, where power was the currency and people were just pawns. She had only one goal today: to convince the board to approve her mother's charity project, the one that could finally make a difference. But, as her gaze swept over the sea of cold, disinterested faces, she knew she was fighting an uphill battle.

And then, as if the world had shifted, she felt it-his presence.

Her pulse spiked as she turned, her heart hammering. At the head of the table, the man everyone in the room had been waiting for-Dominic Colson-finally looked up from his phone. The room grew quieter. His piercing blue eyes met hers, calculating, assessing, unreadable. A slight smirk tugged at his lips as if he already knew her every thought.

Dominic Colson, the CEO of Colson Enterprises, was notorious for his ice-cold demeanor, his ruthless business dealings, and his refusal to bend to anyone. And today, as Alexis stood before him, the arrogant billionaire was staring at her like she was just another obstacle in his path.

"You're the one they sent?" His voice was low, dismissive, and it sent a chill racing down her spine.

Alexis squared her shoulders, fighting the flush creeping up her neck. She wouldn't let him see her nervousness. Not here. Not now.

"Yes," she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions rising in her chest. "I'm Alexis Bennett. I'm here to present my mother's proposal. It's for a charity that will change lives."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "A charity? How quaint."

The boardroom fell into a heavy silence as he leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping rhythmically against the table. Alexis could feel the weight of his gaze on her, like a physical pressure, and her stomach twisted in a way she couldn't explain.

The tension between them was palpable, thick as fog, yet it was only just beginning.

"Let's see what you've got, Miss Bennett," Dominic's words were clipped, but they held an undeniable command.

With a slight nod, Alexis stepped forward, her heels clicking louder now, her heart racing. As she began her presentation, every word she spoke felt like an attempt to break through the invisible barrier that had formed between them. But no matter how hard she tried, it was as if he wasn't even listening.

When she finished, there was a long pause.

Dominic leaned forward slightly, his gaze never leaving her face. "Nice speech," he said with a smirk. "But charity doesn't make money. This is a business. Not a playground for idealists."

The words stung, but Alexis didn't flinch.

"You're wrong," she said, meeting his gaze, every inch of her determined. "Helping others is the best kind of business."

His eyes narrowed. "Interesting. We'll see how long that idealism lasts when you're out of money."

The words hit her like a slap, but Alexis held her ground. The cold, arrogant billionaire hadn't just dismissed her mother's project-he'd dismissed her.

And that was a mistake he would regret.

Alexis could feel her breath catch in her throat, but she refused to show any weakness. She was used to being underestimated, but this-this was different. This was Dominic Colson. And if there was one thing she knew about the ruthless businessman, it was that he didn't just break people. He crushed them.

But she wasn't going to let that happen. Not today. Not while her mother's dream hung in the balance.

"I'm not here to play games, Mr. Colson," she said, her voice stronger now, despite the rising heat in her chest. "This isn't about charity or business. It's about people. And sometimes, that's more important than numbers."

His gaze locked onto hers-piercing, unyielding. "People," he repeated, as though the word itself tasted foreign on his tongue. "You think I care about people? You think I don't know the way the world works?"

A moment of stillness passed between them, and Alexis could almost feel the weight of his words hanging in the air. She glanced at the other board members, who remained silent, their eyes flicking between the two of them, eager to see which one would crack first.

"You don't understand," she continued, a sharpness edging her words. "This isn't just about what makes money. It's about changing lives-giving people the chance they never had. What's the point of all your wealth and power if it doesn't mean anything?"

Dominic's eyes flickered-just for a moment-and Alexis saw something she hadn't expected: doubt. It was gone before she could fully grasp it, replaced with that same cold, calculating look. But for the briefest of seconds, she saw a crack in his armor.

Before she could seize the opportunity, he stood, the movement so swift it left her breathless. He rounded the table, his presence looming over her like a stormcloud ready to burst.

"You know nothing about me," he said, his voice a low growl, the intensity of it making the room feel smaller. "You think you can just waltz in here, play your little idealist game, and change the world?"

She stood tall, refusing to shrink under his pressure. "I'm not playing any games. And I'll do whatever it takes to make this work."

Dominic studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he stepped closer, so close that Alexis could feel the heat of his body. Her pulse quickened, but she refused to look away, her gaze unwavering.

"Do you think you're the first to try and change me?" he asked, his voice almost a whisper. "I've seen hundreds of people like you, thinking they can make a difference. But they all fall short, Alexis. They all do."

Her heart pounded in her chest, the words like a challenge hanging between them. She was beginning to understand something she hadn't before: Dominic Colson wasn't just a man of power-he was a man who had been broken, and he didn't believe in anything anymore.

But that wasn't going to stop her.

"If you're so sure of that," she said, the words slipping from her lips before she could think them through, "then why don't you prove it?"

Dominic's gaze hardened, the air around them crackling with tension. "You don't know what you're asking for, Miss Bennett."

The challenge in his voice was unmistakable, and yet something about it stirred her. She wasn't backing down. Not now.

As if to end the conversation, he turned on his heel, his voice cold and final. "I'll think about your proposal. But don't expect me to make any promises. This is a business, not a charity."

With that, he walked toward the door, leaving Alexis standing in the center of the room, heart pounding in her chest.

For the first time, she wondered if she had made the right choice by walking into this room today. But one thing was certain-this was far from over.

And Dominic Colson had no idea what he had just unleashed