Chapter 1 The Offer She Couldn't Refuse

Chicago, 10:42 AM

The rain slapped hard against the cracked windows of the cramped office space Amara had rented for the past eight months-a space she could barely afford anymore. The hum of the city outside was a cruel contrast to the silence inside, broken only by the low buzz of her dying laptop and the sharp knock on the door that made her jump.

She turned away from the design sketches scattered across her desk and muttered, "If this is another bill collector, I swear-"

"Miss Amara Lane?" A sharply dressed courier stepped in, holding a sleek black envelope that practically screamed money.

"Yes?" she replied cautiously, standing up and wiping graphite dust from her hands.

He handed her the envelope. "This is for you. Direct from Cade Enterprises. You've been summoned."

"Summoned?" she echoed, blinking.

He gave a half-smile. "That's what it says. Good day, ma'am."

He left before she could ask another question.

Inside the envelope was a letter. Heavy, expensive paper. Clean serif font.

Miss Lane,

We've reviewed your portfolio and would like to offer you a one-on-one design contract. Discretion, flexibility, and immediate availability are required. Your presence is requested at Cade Enterprises tomorrow, 9 a.m. sharp.

Compensation: $250,000 (non-negotiable).

• S. Cade

Her heart dropped. A quarter of a million dollars? She read it again. Then again.

This had to be a mistake.

She checked the envelope for any prank hints or "just kidding" signs. There were none.

No way Sebastian Cade, the CEO with a face sculpted by Greek gods and the attitude of a fallen angel, knew who she was. He was a legend in the design world-not because he designed, but because his company's architecture firm devoured entire portfolios and hired the best of the best. She was barely surviving.

Unless...

Her father.

Her eyes narrowed.

He had once worked with the Cade family-back when she was little. There had been lawsuits. Betrayals. A falling out so brutal it nearly ruined them.

She hadn't thought about that in years.

Was this connected?

Or was it fate finally giving her a break?

Either way, she had no choice.

Amara folded the letter and whispered to no one in particular, "What the hell am I walking into?"

The Next Morning

Amara wore her best-cream blouse, high-waisted navy pants, and heels that had seen better days. Her curls were neatly pinned, and she wore only enough makeup to look polished but not desperate.

Cade Enterprises loomed like a steel giant in the Chicago skyline. Cold, brutal, unapologetically dominant. Just like the man who owned it.

She stepped into the lobby, where everything was glass, chrome, and silence. Even the receptionist looked expensive.

"Miss Lane?" the woman said, barely glancing at the tablet. "He's expecting you. Forty-ninth floor."

As the elevator doors shut behind her, Amara checked her reflection. "Don't act impressed. Don't act desperate. Just do your job," she whispered.

The doors opened with a soft chime.

And there he was.

Sebastian Cade.

He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, back turned, in a dark grey suit tailored within an inch of his life. When he turned, his gaze landed on her like fire meeting gasoline-controlled, powerful, and absolutely dangerous.

"Miss Lane," he said, voice deep and smooth as aged whiskey. "You're early. I like that."

She tried to speak. Her throat betrayed her.

He smirked, then stepped forward, extending his hand.

She took it. Firm. Warm. Too warm.

And in that one touch-

She felt it.

Trouble.

But she needed the money.

"Let's talk about your contract," he said.

And just like that, her life changed.