The office hummed with low chatter as Lance Reynolds, the arrogant yet undeniably handsome CEO, stepped into the room. He smirked at the wide-eyed women, their eager expressions reflecting their unspoken hope.
“Ladies,” he announced, adjusting his designer cufflinks, “one of you will accompany me to dinner tonight.”
A ripple of excitement spread through the office. He was rich, powerful, and devastatingly charming. But before he could make his choice, a loud thud broke the moment.
A woman had fallen from a ladder—right into Lance’s arms. The impact sent a bucket of water crashing over them both, drenching them from head to toe.
Lance's jaw tightened. “What the—”
“I-I’m so sorry!” The woman—Abby Monroe, the cleaning lady—scrambled out of his arms, her cheeks burning with humiliation.
“You idiot,” a colleague whispered harshly. “He’s going to fire you.”
Lance let out an exasperated sigh. “Come with me,” he ordered, striding towards the restroom.
Inside, Abby grabbed paper towels, dabbing at her dripping uniform. “Sir, I really didn’t mean—”
“Just shut up,” Lance snapped. But then, as she pushed her wet hair away from her face, something unexpected happened.
She was… stunning.
Her beauty wasn’t forced, nor adorned with expensive makeup. It was raw, effortless. For the first time in years, Lance was caught off guard.
His decision was instant. “You.”
Abby blinked. “Me, what?”
“You’re coming with me tonight.”
Her brows furrowed. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
The limousine ride was silent, save for the hum of the engine. Abby sat stiffly, arms crossed. She had reluctantly agreed, only because saying no might have cost her job. The destination? A lavish mansion on the outskirts of the city.
“Take off your shoes,” Lance instructed as they stepped inside.
“What?”
“Do it.”
Reluctantly, she complied, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. It felt oddly intimate, unsettling.
“Why am I really here?” Abby demanded.
Lance poured himself a drink, smirking. “Because I have a deal to fulfill.”
Her stomach twisted. “A deal?”
“The owner of this house is the most powerful man in the city. Once a year, I bring him a girl.”
Abby’s breath hitched. “I’m just… a piece of meat you’re offering to some billionaire, aren’t I?”
Lance’s eyes darkened. “It’s not what you think.”
“Isn’t it?” she spat. “You’re just another soulless businessman selling people for power.”
He took a step closer. “You don’t understand—”
But Abby had made up her mind. If she was going to be a pawn, she would play her own game. She squared her shoulders, eyes blazing. “Fine. I’ll meet him.”
The meeting room was dimly lit. A man, older, powerful, watched her like a hawk.
“I like your fire, sweetheart,” he murmured. “But I have one condition.”
Abby forced a smirk. “Of course. You all want something—money, diamonds—”
“No.” His smile was predatory. “I want to see if you can handle him.”
Her pulse pounded as the man flicked his wrist. Two guards grabbed Lance.
“What are you doing?” Lance growled, struggling.
Abby hesitated only a second before stepping forward. “Let him go. I’ll stay.”
Lance’s head snapped up. “Abby, don’t—”
“I have no choice.”
The older man chuckled. “Oh, but you do. You just made the right one.”
But in that moment, Abby had made her own plan.
Hours later, Lance sat alone, hands balled into fists. He had spent his entire life controlling people, yet for the first time, he had been powerless to stop something.
When the door creaked open, he bolted upright. Abby stood there, unharmed, eyes gleaming with something unreadable.
“What did you do?” he asked hoarsely.
She stepped closer. “I played along… long enough to turn the tables.”
Lance exhaled, tension leaving his body. “Why?”
She met his gaze. “Because, despite everything, you weren’t willing to trade me. You were going to sacrifice yourself.”
His jaw clenched. “I was wrong about you.”
A small smile touched her lips. “Yeah, you were.”
He reached for her hand hesitantly. “So… what happens now?”
Abby’s heart pounded. “We leave this place. Together.”
And for the first time in his life, Lance followed someone else’s lead.
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