Chapter 3 Office Wars Begin

Even before she got out of the elevator, Genevieve could feel the weight of their gaze. The hum of ambition should have filled Rockwell Enterprises' sleek, glass-paneled corridors, as analysts whispered over stock reports and helpers hurried between meetings. Rather, there was quiet. The kind of silence that carried judgment cloaked in phony civility was worse than blatant rumors. Taking a deep breath, she walked ahead with her shoulders squared and her chin up. She refused to show them her flinch. Still, there were murmurs. "Have you heard? At the gala, she gave him a kiss. Even for someone that attractive, it was a bold move. "Perhaps that's how she was hired." She felt a surge of anger with the last one. She deserved this job. I worked hard for it. However, she was reduced to a scandal in a pencil skirt in less than twenty-four hours. Genevieve walked over to her desk and, using more force than was required, put her bag down. Her fingers shook, but she wouldn't admit it. There was a shadow next to her. With her heart racing, she turned to see Silas's best friend and CFO, Jasper Hollingsworth, grinning sarcastically at her. Jasper drewled and adjusted his cufflinks. "Well, well." "Aren't you the 80th floor's talk?" Genevieve gritted her teeth. "Are you telling me to step down now so I don't further embarrass myself?" Jasper laughed. "Quite the opposite, I'm actually enjoying the show." She clenched her jaw. "I'm glad I could amuse you." Jasper lowered his voice and leaned in. "Any advice? Distractions don't sit well with Silas. She felt cold. The intercom on her desk crackled to life before she could reply. "Miss Montgomery." Now, my office. Silas's voice was smooth and deep, yet it had a sharp edge that could cut through steel. Genevieve took a slow breath. Then she headed toward his door, every pair of eyes in the workplace watching her. What is Silas going to say? And is this the start of the end for her? With her heart thumping against her ribs, Genevieve entered Silas's office. With a foreboding finality, the door closed behind her. With his hands in his pockets, Silas stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, radiating the same unchallenged power that had subdued Wall Street. He didn't turn right away. Rather, he gazed at the skyline, his image reflected in the glass, a tall, strong figure carved out of ice and shadow. "I presume you've heard the murmurs," he remarked in an unintelligible voice. Genevieve's fingers at her sides were clinched. "I have." At last he turned. His gaze was unkind. "Miss Montgomery, I don't mix business with pleasure." Those remarks were like a slap to Genevieve. She began, "I never….." but he interrupted her with a small head tilt. He went on, taking deliberate steps closer and saying, "I don't care what your intentions were." Risky. "It's important that everyone in this building believes I brought you here." Genevieve's chin went up. "I'm not to blame." Silas looked at her slowly, evaluating. "No," he acknowledged. "However, perception is crucial." The epitome of unwavering control, he crossed his arms and leaned against the edge of his desk. Miss Montgomery, this is the truth. You have two choices. Genevieve took a swallow. "I'm paying attention." Silas darkened his eyes. "You leave unless you prove yourself here." Like a wire on the verge of breaking, the air between them crackled. It was an obvious challenge. Genevieve's chin went up. "I suppose I'll have to prove myself after that." A sneer tugged at his lips, slow and deadly. "Well done." Silas is observing everything she does. Does he, however, want her to succeed or fail? Silas shoved a file across the desk before Genevieve could even comprehend what he had spoken. "Your first assignment." She looked at him and then at the heavy folder. "I believed my role was to help you." He grinned more broadly. "Think of this as an initiation." After a moment of hesitation, she opened it. A thorough financial analysis. A board meeting is coming shortly. A demonstration. She felt her tummy tighten. "You want me to show this to you?" Unable to read, Silas watched her. "I'm counting on you to succeed." Genevieve's fingers gripped the folder more tightly. He was putting her to the test. Holding out for her to trip. She looked directly into his eyes. "What time is the meeting?" "Tomorrow morning." Her breath caught. "I don't have much time with that." Silas gave a shrug. "So you'd better get to work." There was a scathing, purposeful stillness between them. Genevieve was the first to refuse to blink. Then, as gracefully as she could, she picked up the file and headed for the door. But as soon as she got there, Silas's voice abruptly halted her. "Miss Montgomery, too?" Her pulse twitched as she turned. Something perilously like amusement shone in his eyes. "Don't make me look bad." Genevieve's back stiffened. Her thoughts were racing as she strolled outside without saying a word. The game was on. She also had no intention of losing. Is she able to prove herself? Or is Silas going to ensure that she falls? The weight of her future pressed against Genevieve's chest as she held the file in her hands. There was nothing she could do but prove herself. As she made her way back to her desk, the low murmurs from the office hung in the air, following her every move. Despite her heart beating like a battle drum, she maintained an expressionless expression. They were anticipating her failure. No way. She opened the file and looked over the project specifications that Silas had given her. It was a risky, complicated, and dangerous acquisition agreement. A single mistake might cost the business millions of dollars. She let out a deep exhale. It was a test. A means for Silas to press her till she broke, to back her into a corner. Alright. Permit him. For years, Genevieve had worked her way up to the top of every obstacle life presented. She refused to allow herself to be brought down by a haughty billionaire who reigned like a tyrant and kissed like a god. Jasper Hollingsworth was drinking an espresso while leaning on her cubicle's partition. As he saw her quickly scan the report, he thought, "Brave of you." She didn't raise her head. "Brave?" Jasper grinned. "The majority of people do not voluntarily enter Silas Rockwell's fire." Then Genevieve looked at him, her gaze fixed on his. "The majority of people don't make it through, do they?" Jasper laughed. "No. They don't. He tapped the edge of the file and put down his coffee. "This offer? It's a mess. Too much risk, too many flaws. Even seasoned business leaders would be reluctant to handle it. Genevieve's stomach churned, but she kept it to herself. "So why am I receiving it from Silas?" Jasper grinned more broadly. "Because he wants to see your character." She pressed her lips together and nodded. "Well, I suppose I had better show him." After examining her for a while, Jasper nodded slowly and approvingly. Montgomery, you have my liking. Aim to avoid dying. As he left, Genevieve took a deep breath. She had to get ready one night. One opportunity to show she was worthy of being here. She would not allow Silas to prevail. However, what if this transaction is more than a test? Could it be a trap? Determination coiling in her veins, Genevieve strode for the exit. She had always performed well under duress. She was born with it. She would examine every aspect of this project, find its weaknesses, and make it impenetrable. It would be a mistake for Silas Rockwell to underestimate her. His words sliced through the room like a razor through silk as she got to the door. "Miss Montgomery." Her breath caught. She turned back slowly. With his hands in his pockets and his silhouette painted in gold and shadow by the city lights behind him, Silas stood close to his desk. His eyes heated, but his expression was unreadable. Genevieve's fingers gripped the file more tightly. "Mr. Rockwell, yes?" He just watched her for a while. Unsettling. Quiet. Making calculations. He then gave his head a small tilt. "Are you certain you can do this?" She raised her chin. "Yes." He twisted his lips in a knowing, menacing sneer. "Well done." The air between them was stolen by the weight of his presence as he stepped closer. "But I want to be very clear." Genevieve refused to back down. He lowered his voice to a smoother level. darker. "What you've gotten yourself into is beyond your comprehension." A shiver ran down her back. Refusing to let him see the glimmer of uncertainty, Genevieve swallowed. "Well, I suppose I'll find out." Something flickered in his eyes, a glimmer of laughter? Acceptance? Or something even more hazardous? Silas waited for a long moment before nodding. "Tomorrow. Don't let me down. Forcing herself not to run, she pivoted on her heel and left. Her hands shook. Not out of fear. from something much more hazardous. What does Silas conceal? And why does she feel as though she has just entered a much larger realm than she could have ever dreamed of?