Chapter 4 A Deal With The Devil

With her eyes burning after hours of unrelenting work, Genevieve gazed at the figures on the screen. Everything had to be perfect. She refused to be buried by Silas Rockwell before she had an opportunity to establish herself. Long after midnight, the office was silent save for the faint hum of the air conditioner and the faint sound of the city coming in through the glass windows. She was aware that people were still discussing her, including the stories, the whispers, and the silent condemnation. The boss's kissing women. She must have slept her way into a high-profile executive role. She tightened her grip on the mouse. Let them speak. No one's opinion would matter if she aced this endeavor. Her focus was disrupted by the faint sound of voices. Two younger analysts hovered by the break room across the hall, their whispered voices barely audible to her. One murmured, "She's still here?" The other sneered and said, "She's trying to impress him." I wish you luck in that endeavor. Attachments are not done by Rockwell. With her nails digging into her palm, Genevieve's hold became more firm. She took a deep breath, making herself ignore them. Concentrate. Work. Win. Across from her, in the glass office, she hardly saw the shadow. Leaning against his desk, Silas Rockwell observed. His keen eyes followed her every motion, and he had a small smile on his lips that suggested he was both amused and interested. She hadn't yet seen him. He did, however, see her. And that caused him to halt for some reason. The strain was not causing Genevieve Montgomery to crumble. She wasn't sprinting. She was engaged in combat. With a deep exhalation, Silas drummed his fingers on the desk. Interesting. His face was unreadable as he returned his attention to his laptop. They would check to see if her efforts were worthwhile tomorrow. Someone else is monitoring Genevieve as she proves herself, and they don't want her to be successful. Genevieve hardly noticed as the minutes stretched into hours. The final report was flawless, brutal, and indisputable. She had managed to transform the acquisition agreement into a surefire chance for Rockwell Enterprises. She stretched her sore shoulders and leaned back, satisfied. It was her. There was a faint click coming from the corridor. Anticipating a late-night janitor, she turned. Rather, a woman was standing just inside the dark office, her heels clicking on the floor as she walked in. The elegance caught Genevieve's attention right away. Sleek blonde curls cascaded over one shoulder of a dark green silk dress draped over an impossible-to-have physique. The icy enjoyment in her eyes was the second thing she noticed. Astor, Rosalind. Rockwell's former fiancée. Genevieve's heartbeat skipped a beat as she sat up straight. Rosalind smiled, but it never made it to her eyes. "Well, well. It's clear that you're keeping yourself cozy. Genevieve looked her in the eye evenly. "This is where I work." Rosalind shook her head and tsked softly. "I assume that staying up late and attempting to prove yourself is impressive." Genevieve's arms were crossed. "Ms. Astor, is there a reason you're here?" A deliberate, leisurely smirk. Rosalind stepped closer and whispered, "Yes." "A cautionary tale." Genevieve's body stiffened. Rosalind's voice trailed off. "He ruins everything he comes into contact with." Avoid being the next one. Although Genevieve's breath caught, she remained still. She forced her voice to stay steady as she said, "He doesn't scare me." Rosalind laughed softly, almost pathetically. "Oh, sweetheart." Her perfume, something dark and dangerously costly, filled the air between them as she leaned closer. "At first, they all say that." Under the desk, Genevieve's fingers clenched into fists, but her face remained expressionless. With a tilt of her head, Rosalind examined her as if she were a riddle she had previously solved. "Don't you think you're different?" Genevieve looked back at her. "I believe you ought to go." Rosalind just stared at her for a bit. Then she grinned. "Ms. Montgomery, I hope you're strong enough. For when Silas is done with you... Her voice was venomous and velvety as she leaned in. "It will be completely gone." She then pivoted on her heel and left Genevieve to bear the consequences of her remarks alone. Does Rosalind's warning have a deeper meaning, or is she just jealous? Long after Rosalind was gone, Genevieve gazed at the deserted hallway. In her thoughts, the words clung, curling like smoke. He ruins everything he comes into contact with. It was a game. It must have been. An ex who had been cast aside made a last-ditch effort to shake her. However, the assurance in Rosalind's voice and the caution in her flawless grin had been genuine. With a sharp exhale, Genevieve shrugged off the uncertainty. This was not something she had time for. She clenched her fingers around the report before her. In a few hours, she had to give a presentation. She grabbed her coat and gathered her folders, determined. She sensed it as soon as she left the office. a presence. Before she even turned, instinct triggered, causing her breath to catch. With his arms folded and leaning against the distant wall, Silas Rockwell observed her with an enigmatic look. He was framed by sharp angles and silent danger in the dark corridor light. Her heart skipped a beat. He had been standing there for how long? "Late at night?" he whispered. With a forceful gulp, Genevieve held onto the folder tightly. "Just getting ready for tomorrow." Silas's gaze strayed to the file. "Amazing commitment." She prepared herself for ridicule, but it didn't come. Rather, he pushed off the wall and approached slowly and methodically. Genevieve wouldn't back down. Silas silently examined her before his lips curled in something much more sinister than laughter or appreciation. "Pay attention, Ms. Montgomery." Her breath caught. Like a steel-wrapped whisper, Silas's voice grew softer. He whispered, "Rosalind is many things." "But she never tells lies." Something unsaid made the air heavy and dense. Then he left without saying another word. Genevieve stood motionless, her heart pounding, unsure whether Rosalind or Silas was the true danger. In reality, what has Genevieve gotten herself into? The words on the screen merged into a jumble of useless data as Genevieve sat at her desk with her fingers poised over the keyboard. She was still haunted by Rosalind's words. "Everything he touches is destroyed by him. Avoid being the next one. She shook her head and let out a harsh exhale. No. She refused to be shaken by the resentment of an ex-fiance. It was obvious that Silas Rockwell was a merciless businessman. Destroyer, though? That suggested something more profound, something intimate, something... hazardous. Furthermore, she wasn't playing games. However, uncertainty had started to seep in like a slow poison. The murmurs. Her coworkers' knowing glances. The way Silas had observed her the previous evening, his caution looming over them like an implicit danger. Was something wrong with her? No. She didn't think that was true. She clicked her report open once more and straightened in her chair. She would establish her value. She would succeed. Before she even saw it, a person crept close to her desk. Silas. Her initial impression was of his cologne, which was deep, dark, and completely male. Then his voice, steel-edged but silky smooth, arrived. "Ms. Montgomery, are you afraid?" Genevieve made herself look into his eyes. There was something deeper beneath the laughter that blazed in those cold blue eyes. A darker one. She raised her chin. "Never, of you." Silas cocked his head, seemingly taking in what she had said. Unspoken anxiety crackled in the long pause. Then he grinned. Her spine tingled at the slow, knowing smirk. Genevieve's jaw tightened. The company's most powerful man had just been challenged by her. She could tell by the sparkle in his eyes that he was determined to make her regret it. What kind of game does Silas play? And is Genevieve really prepared to face the repercussions? Silas Rockwell had never been challenged before. Genevieve Montgomery, however, stood in front of him unfazed. Both were silent for a long time. The office, a battleground of defiance and authority, pulsed with subdued intensity. Then Silas leaned in cautiously. With a hoarse rasp, he whispered, "You have nerves." "I'll give it to you." Despite all of her instincts telling her to move, Genevieve forced herself to stay motionless. to sprint. Rather, she looked directly into his eyes. Hey Mr. Rockwell, I came here to work. Not to engage in gaming. He grinned more broadly. "That's where you're incorrect." Her gut twisted with a gradual surge of uneasiness. Silas took a step back, his face unreadable. "Your presentation must be completed before tomorrow. If you make an impression on me... His eyes flitted over her as he allowed the words to linger. "Here, we will discuss your future." Genevieve took a swallow. An examination. One more trap. Additionally, she had simply walked right into it. Silas glanced toward the window, his keen features shadowed by the city lights. His remarks were gentle, but they carried a warning: "Be careful, Ms. Montgomery." Genevieve's heart pounded. Did she get herself into trouble? She gathered her power and let out a strong exhale. No. She refused to be intimidated by him. She would play for the victory if this were a game. Keeping her posture straight and her pace under control, she pivoted on her heel and left his office. But she sensed it even as she walked away. Silas Rockwell's eyes were still piercing her back. Has her fate been sealed by Genevieve? Furthermore, what precisely is it that Silas wants from her?