Tangled secrets

"Power isn't about strength. It's about control. And right now, Ceil Blackthorn was controlling everything."

THE WEIGHT OF HIS WORDS...

Velena's breath was steady, her face on readable .but inside, her mind was racing.

Vladivostok. De-Salavia.

These words shouldn't exist here . Not in Osaka. Not in this high-rise corporate building . Not in the mouth of a man who wasn't supposed to know her secrets.

Yet here he was, sitting across from her, wearing a calm expression like he didn't just shattered the illusion of her new life.

Ceil Blackthorn. CEO of Ceil enterprises. Youngest in history. A man respected, feared, and dangerously unpredictable.

And somehow, he knew about her past .

Velena forced a smirk, even as tension curled inside her."That's an interesting question, Mr.Blackthorn. But I don't think it's relevant to this intwrview".

Ceil leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly against the desk."isn't it?"

His tone was polite. Too polite. It sent a slow chill down her spine.

A BATTLE OF WORDS...

Velena kept her posture relaxed, but her mind was already calculating.

She had erased every trace of her past before leaving Russia. No records. No digital footprint. No loose ends.

"So how the hell does he know"?

" Unless Ceil enterprises is hiring for something illegal," she said smoothly." I fail to see how my childhood in Rissia is relevant.

A hint of amusement flickered in Ceil's cold , piercing eyes. "That's depends on what kind of childhood you had".

Velena didn't blink. She wouldn't give him a reaction.

He wanted to shake her. He wanted to see fear.

She refused to give him that satisfaction.

"So, are we discussing my qualifications,"she asked , tilting her head , "or are we playing detective today?"

Ceil's lips curled slightly- not quite a smirk, not quite a smile.

"Oh, Velena," he said, voice smooth as silk."I never play games unless I already know I'm going to win."

THE OFFER SHE DIDN'T EXPECT...

Silence stretched between them, heavy and unspoken.

Then Ceil picked up a file from the desk and slid it toward her .

Velena hesitated for only a second before picking it up.

As soon as she opened it ,her heartbeat slowed .

Inside where documents- real, official-looking documents.

A new identity. A work visa. A full professional background .

All fake.

All perfect.

Velena slowly lifted her eyes." what is this?"

Ceil rested his elbow on the table, watching her with unsettling calmness. "An opportunity."

she narrowed Her gaze." for what?"

Ceil leaned forward and for the first time ,his voice lost it's usual cool detachment.

" You are smart enough to know by now, Velena. This isn't just a company. And I don't just hire ordinary employees."

Velena's grip on the file tightened .

"what the hell is he saying ?"

she had come here expecting a corporate interview.

instead, she had walked straight into a trap.

And the worst part ?

she had no idea if she wanted to escape it.