Chapter 1: First Impression

The elevator hummed softly as it climbed to the top floor of Blackwood Enterprises, carrying Lily Hart toward what she hoped was a fresh start. She had spent the morning calming her nerves, adjusting the sharp lines of her cream blouse, and reminding herself that this job was her best chance to rebuild.

But now, as the numbers ticked closer to her destination, doubt crept in.

Her brother had pulled strings to get her this position. She hated favors—especially ones that came from family—but she needed this job. More than that, she needed the independence it promised.

The elevator dinged, doors sliding open to reveal the stark contrast of the top floor. Unlike the bustling lower levels, this space was silent, intimidating, and controlled. Dark wood, glass walls, and a sweeping view of the city framed an office designed for power.

And at its center, Adrian Blackwood stood like a shadow against the skyline.

He didn’t turn and he didn’t acknowledge her presence.

He simply stood, unmoving, hands in his pockets, watching the city below as if it owed him something.

Lily swallowed, stepping forward. “Mr. Blackwood?”

For a moment, silence.

Then, in a voice both deep and cutting, he said, “You’re late.”

She stiffened. She had arrived five minutes early.

“No, sir,” she said evenly. “My start time was 8 AM. It’s 7:55.”

Slowly, leisurely, he turned.

His grey eyes locked onto hers. Cold. Analytical. Predatory.

A man like Adrian Blackwood didn’t just look at people—he assessed them. Measured them. Determined their worth in seconds.

“You’re here because of your brother,” he said, his voice devoid of warmth. “Not because you earned it.”

Lily refused to flinch.

“My qualifications—”

“Mean nothing,” he interrupted. “I don’t like nepotism. I don’t like handouts. And I don’t like people wasting my time.”

Her nails dug into her palm. What an arrogant, insufferable, piece of human waste.

She exhaled. Steady. Controlled. “I’m not here for a handout, Mr. Blackwood. I’m here to work.”

His gaze flickered—something sharp and amused, like a wolf sensing prey that dared to bite back.

“We’ll see about that,” he murmured.

A sharp knock interrupted them.

The office door opened, and Veronica Langley strode in—Adrian’s longtime assistant, poised, severe, and impossibly polished. Her sharp heels clicked against the floor as she assessed Lily with quiet curiosity.

“Miss Hart’s responsibilities?” she asked smoothly.

Adrian didn’t look away from Lily.

“Menial tasks,” he said. “Paperwork. Coffee. Things that require minimal thinking.”

Lily’s jaw tightened.  So, this was his game.

Make her feel worthless. Make her quit before she even started.

Veronica hesitated, then raised a perfectly arched brow. “That seems like a waste of potential, sir.”

“If she has potential, it’ll show,” Adrian replied coolly. “If not, she’ll be gone in a week.”

Lily lifted her chin. “Or maybe I’ll still be here long after you expect me to fail.”

For a split second, something flickered in his expression. Surprise? Interest?

Then, just as quickly, it was gone.

“Get to work,” he ordered.

By noon, Lily knew what this was.

A test.

Adrian wasn’t just assigning her tasks—he was setting traps.

A spreadsheet file had mysteriously “disappeared” after she submitted it. An email chain had been redirected, making it seem like she’d ignored urgent instructions. By the time Veronica fixed it, Adrian had already left a brutal note in her inbox:

"If this is your best effort, quit now"

She gritted her teeth, deleting the email.

'Not happening Blackwood'

By 2 PM, she was juggling six urgent reports, an impossible deadline, and a coffee order for a boardroom full of executives.

“Miss Hart,” Veronica called as Lily hurried past her desk. “You might want to slow down before you spill—”

Too late.

A shoulder bumped hers—one of the junior executives rushing past—and Lily’s tray tipped.

Hot coffee. White shirts. A disaster waiting to happen.

Her Instinct kicked in.

Lily twisted, shifting the weight just enough to keep the tray steady, only a few drops spilling onto her sleeve.

She let out a sigh of relief.

Veronica blinked, mildly impressed. “Not bad.”

“Was that another test?” Lily muttered, setting the tray down.

Veronica smirked. “Let’s just say…not many people survive their first day with Mr. Blackwood.”

Lily arched a brow. “And you? How do you survive?”

Veronica laughed—a low, knowing sound. “Oh, darling. I thrive.”

By 6 PM, the office was quieter now, with most employees gone. But Lily wasn’t.

Because Adrian Blackwood was still in his office, and that meant she had to be, too.

She exhaled, steeling herself before knocking.

“Come in.”

The door swung open, revealing Adrian at his desk. His jacket was off, sleeves rolled up, forearms tense as he scanned a document.

He barely looked up from the paper work on his desk.

“If you’re here to resign, spare me the speech.”

Lily crossed her arms. “And if I’m not?”

A pause.

Then, finally, he looked at her.

The tension between them thickened—a battle neither had started but both were now fully engaged in.

His eyes flickered with something unreadable.

“You’re stubborn.”

“No, I’m determined.”

“Same thing.”

Silence stretched between them.

Then, Adrian leaned back, watching her.

“Fine,” he murmured. “Let’s see how long you last.”

Lily lifted her chin.

“Oh, I’ll last, Mr. Blackwood.”

She turned, walking away before he could see the way her pulse hammered.

Because this wasn’t just a job anymore. This was war.

And she was determined not to lose.