His Enemy’s Daughter

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing a sleek lobby bathed in natural light. Amelia Hale stepped out, clutching her handbag tightly against her side. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she took in the minimalist, modern design of the thirty-seventh floor. Everything gleamed—glass, chrome, and polished stone. It screamed money and power.

And yet, she didn't flinch.

This job meant everything. After years of scraping through internships, part-time positions, and a degree she'd barely been able to afford, landing a role at Blackthorne Enterprises felt like stepping into another universe. One where she didn't belong—but was determined to stay.

Amelia adjusted her blazer, the only designer piece she owned—scored from a thrift store downtown. Her long chestnut hair was neatly pulled into a low ponytail, and a pop of red lipstick gave her otherwise neutral look just enough confidence. She looked like she belonged here. That had to count for something.

A receptionist with a glossy bun and cool blue eyes looked up as Amelia approached.

"Amelia Hale?" the woman asked, already rising from her seat.

"Yes. Reporting for my first day."

"You'll be with Marketing Operations. Third hallway to the left, then take the glass door marked Team C," the receptionist said smoothly. "Mr. Cross will meet you there."

Amelia nodded, murmuring a thank you, and made her way down the hall, trying not to let her nerves show. Everything about this place made her feel small. The walls were lined with abstract art, the kind of pieces that screamed wealth, and every employee she passed looked like they belonged on the cover of a finance magazine.

As she reached the glass door, it opened before she could touch it.

"Amelia Hale?" asked a tall man in his early forties, with a kind smile and sharp gray suit.

"Yes, that's me."

"I'm Daniel Cross, Senior Director of Marketing. Welcome aboard." He extended a hand, and she shook it. "We're excited to have you on the team. Let me give you a quick tour."

As he walked her through the expansive open-floor space, Daniel pointed out departments, introduced a few faces, and finally brought her to a smaller corner office filled with sunlight and one neatly arranged desk.

"This will be yours for now," he said. "You'll be assisting my team, but also working closely with our executive strategists. It's a unique role—fast-paced, lots of eyes on the work you do."

Amelia nodded, absorbing every word.

"We move quickly here, Amelia," he continued. "So stay sharp. Things can change in a heartbeat. You'll do fine."

"Thank you," she replied. "I won't let you down."

"I believe that," Daniel said with a smile. "Now, settle in. We'll loop you into the morning briefing shortly."

He disappeared, leaving her alone in the glass-walled space. Amelia exhaled slowly and glanced around. She placed her bag down, opened her laptop, and powered it on.

And then she noticed something—or rather, someone.

Across the floor, near a private conference room, stood a man. He was tall—taller than most—with broad shoulders beneath a tailored black suit. His hair was dark and slightly tousled, like he hadn't cared enough to tame it but somehow made it work. Even from a distance, there was a quiet power about him, like he didn't need to announce who he was—everyone just knew.

Their eyes met for the briefest second.

Gray. His eyes were gray—cold and unreadable. He didn't smile. Didn't look away. He just stared at her, as if trying to remember something. And then, just as quickly, he turned and entered the room, the door closing behind him with a soft hiss.

Amelia blinked. Her heart beat just a little faster. Who was that?

Before she could dwell on it, a new email notification popped onto her screen. She clicked it open—it was the briefing link from Daniel.

Focus, she told herself. Whoever that man was, he was probably just another executive. Intimidating, sure. But irrelevant to her.

The next hour passed in a blur of onboarding materials, digital files, internal systems, and passwords. By the time Daniel called her for the strategy session, she already felt like she'd been working there for weeks. She followed him into a conference room filled with senior staff—marketing directors, analysts, and a few unfamiliar faces who looked far too powerful to be sitting in the same meeting.

And then she saw him again.

The man from earlier.

This time, he was seated at the head of the table, scrolling through a sleek tablet. He glanced up only once, barely acknowledging anyone, then set the tablet down and addressed the room with a voice that carried weight.

"Let's begin."

Daniel leaned in and whispered, "That's Liam Blackthorne. CEO."

Amelia's stomach dropped.

CEO?

She forced herself to breathe normally, but her mind was already racing. That was Liam Blackthorne? The infamous billionaire? The man whose name she'd seen in every major finance article over the last five years? The same man who'd turned a once mid-tier tech firm into a global conglomerate?

He didn't look like a man who gave interviews or smiled for cameras. He looked like he could command armies—and never raise his voice.

Throughout the meeting, he didn't speak much. But when he did, every word was calculated, cutting, and absolute. There was no questioning his authority. The entire room revolved around him.

Amelia sat quietly, taking notes, trying not to let her awe—or her anxiety—show.

At the end of the session, as everyone filed out, she gathered her things. She was the last one at the table when she realized someone was still there.

Liam.

He was watching her.

"You're new," he said, his voice lower now, more personal.

Amelia stood straighter. "Yes, sir. Amelia Hale."

His gaze held hers. "Interesting placement."

She frowned slightly. "Excuse me?"

"You'll be working closely with executive strategy, correct?" he asked, like he already knew the answer.

"Yes," she said, careful to keep her tone professional. "I'm looking forward to contributing wherever I'm needed."

He gave the faintest nod. "Good."

Then, without another word, he turned and left the room.

Amelia stood there, her heart hammering in her chest. Something about the way he said interesting sent chills down her spine.

She didn't know what it meant.

But somehow… she had a feeling this job was going to be far more complicated than she'd imagined.