Chapter 1: The Introduction
Eva Morris strode confidently through the towering glass doors of Grayson Enterprises, her heels clicking against the sleek marble floor with the kind of certainty only years of hard work and countless late nights could produce. The air around her was always charged with the same energy—sharp, calculated, and efficient, just like her. To Eva, the corporate world was more than a career; it was her life.She adjusted the tailored sleeves of her charcoal blazer, her eyes skimming the agenda on her tablet. This evening's business gala was a necessary evil, a part of her professional duties. It was a world filled with endless handshakes, strategic alliances, and conversations that danced on the edge of politics and power.Romance? That was a game for fools. Eva had never let herself be distracted by it.
Love was an unpredictable variable in an otherwise meticulously calculated life, one that she had long ago learned to control. If her parents' disastrous marriage had taught her anything, it was that emotions only ever led to pain. She had watched her mother sacrifice everything for love, only to be left alone and broken when Eva’s father decided to leave them for a younger woman. It was a mistake Eva vowed never to make.Her gaze shifted toward the elevator doors as they opened, revealing her assistant, Monica, who was already waiting inside with a list of the evening's notable attendees. “The Grayson family will be there tonight,” Monica said as the doors slid shut, a glint of excitement in her tone. “The notorious Alex Grayson is expected to attend. You might want to be prepared.”Eva merely raised an eyebrow. She’d heard of Alex Grayson, of course. Everyone had.
The man was infamous for his wealth, charm, and, most importantly, high-profile romantic entanglements. A typical playboy living off his family’s fortune, he was the type of man Eva couldn’t stand. She had little patience for those who cruised through life on privilege alone, their charm a mere mask for their lack of substance.“Don’t worry,” Eva replied dismissively. “I’m not interested in men like him.”Monica smirked. “Maybe. But men like him are often very interested in women like you.”Eva sighed. She wasn’t worried. She knew how to handle men like Alex. They were all the same—rich, arrogant, and convinced that every woman wanted to be part of their shiny, perfect world. Eva had spent her career avoiding distractions like Alex Grayson, and she wasn’t about to let some overconfident playboy disrupt her focus now.As the elevator reached the lobby, Eva squared her shoulders.
The gala awaited, and with it, the chance to further solidify her position in the industry. This wasn’t about schmoozing with billionaires or rubbing elbows with the elite—it was about power, influence, and the next big business move.The gala was held in one of the most prestigious hotels in the city, its ballroom glittering with chandeliers that bathed the room in soft, golden light. Servers moved gracefully through the crowd, offering champagne to the impeccably dressed guests who mingled and murmured about stocks, mergers, and the latest market trends.
Eva scanned the room, her mind cataloging potential alliances and future business deals. This was where she thrived—among the movers and shakers, the decision-makers who could turn a company’s fortune with a single handshake.“Eva Morris,” a voice drawled from behind her. She turned, her eyes narrowing slightly as they met the piercing blue gaze of Alex Grayson.He was even more handsome in person, damn it. Taller than she expected, with an easy smile that hinted at trouble. His tailored tuxedo fit him perfectly as he had just stepped out of a luxury magazine ad. But his demeanor bothered her most—an air of effortless confidence, as if he knew his effect on women and wielded it like a weapon.“Alex Grayson, I presume,” Eva said coolly, offering him a polite but distant smile.“I’m flattered you know who I am,” he replied, his tone casual, yet his eyes sharp with interest. “But then again, I suppose everyone here knows who you are, too.
The brilliant Eva Morris. I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”She nodded, unimpressed. “I’m sure you have. But if you’ll excuse me—”Before she could finish, Alex leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “Let me guess. You’re not a fan of these events, are you? The champagne, the small talk—it all feels like a waste of time, doesn’t it?”Eva paused, caught off guard by his perceptiveness. She had expected him to flirt or throw some cheesy line her way, but instead, he had zeroed in on something more genuine. Still, she wasn’t about to be swayed by a few well-chosen words.“You’re right,” she replied, calm and composed. “I prefer getting things done rather than wasting time.”Alex grinned. “I like that. Straight to the point.” He took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. “So, let me get straight to the point, too. I think you and I could make a good team.”Eva raised an eyebrow. “Team?”“In business, of course,” Alex said smoothly. “I’ve been looking for someone with your kind of drive, your ambition. Someone who’s not afraid to challenge the status quo. And you, Eva Morris—you’re exactly that.”Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly brushed the feeling aside. This was just another game for him. He was playing her, testing her resolve. She wasn’t going to fall for it.“I don’t play games, Mr. Grayson,” Eva replied, her voice firm.“Neither do I,” Alex shot back, his smile fading as his expression turned serious. “Not when it comes to business.”For a moment, they stood there, locked in a silent battle of wills.
Eva could feel the tension between them, a strange mixture of rivalry and something else she didn’t want to acknowledge. She knew men like Alex Grayson were dangerous—not because of their wealth or their charm, but because they had the power to disrupt everything she had worked so hard for.“You may not play games, but I know your type,” Eva said, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “You think you can charm your way into whatever you want. But you won’t find me so easily swayed.”Alex’s grin returned, but it was more measured this time as if he appreciated the challenge. “We’ll see, Ms. Morris. We’ll see.”
