The click of Toria's heels echoes through the marble corridor each step deliberate, controlled but inside her, her blood boileds no one has ever embarrassed her like this person did. Thinking of this, she gripped the handle of her Hermès bag so tightly that her knuckles whitened.
He assistant Clara followed behind her silently. She has long learned that Victoria Steel's silence was deadlier than her words.
They reached the black SUV waiting at the entrance, the driver opened the backseat door and she slid in, her movement graceful but sharp like a blade.
"Who is he?" her voice was calm-too calm Clara hesitated " Based on the name I heard his PA mentioned,
he is Aiden Drake Cross Ma'am"
Her sharp gaze cut to Clara through the review mirror " Aiden Drake Cross? the tech giant?"
"Yes Ma'am. He owns CrossTech Industries, Robotic, AI cyber Security.
He's been dominating Europe for the past Decade. His move into U.S. market is....recent." Clara whisper nervously.
Toria gave a cold humorless laugh " so the boy genius thinks he can play in my sandbox " she turned her eyes to the window, watching the busy city.
"Arrogant bustard. "
She arrived at Toria Flip head quarters an architectural skyscraper marvel of glass and steel stood as a monument to her success.
" what do I have on my plate today Clara." She said.
"Ma'am you have a meeting with the board of directors in 15 minutes " She went further to list the other meetings she had for the day as they walked into the building
As they walked towards the conference room,a man bumped into Toria and quickly apologised " I'm very sorry Ma'am forgive my clumsiness "
Looking at his name on the barge he had on , she said " Mr. Walters I think you should update your resume, the company will function 200% more effectively without your services"
The man opened his mouth to speak but she raised her hand up indicating he shouldn't say another word while walking away.
Clara apologised to the man and told him he can get back to work,saying their boss was having a bad day. with that being said she ran after Victoria.
At her penthouse, Toria kicked off her stilettos and poured herself a glass of wine. The city spread out before her glittering and alive but her mind wasn't on the view.
she sank into her comfortable sofa, replaying the scene in her mind.
The way he had leaned back lazily, his voice calm as he dropped the words " I will pay double." The smirk that followed, that infuriating, condescending smirk.
she hated him.
she hated how his eyes seemed to see through her- icy blue, emotionless, calculating.
She hated how he made her feel like the room had shrunk around him,like she was the intruder.
But most of all, she hated that she was still thinking about him
she picked up her phone and dialed a number .
"Clara I want a full profile on Aiden Drake Cross . Everything, his business moves, his finances , his habits, I want to know what he eats for breakfast, lunch and super and who iron his damn shirts."
on the other side of the phone Clara nodded suppressing a laugh Victoria steel wasn't just angry-she was planning and when she plannes , empires trembles.
Across the city in a tower just as imposing as Toria's, Aiden glanced at his assistant
"She is digging " his assistant said.
Aiden smirked, eyes cold but amused.
"let her. The deeper she digs the closer she'll get and the harder she'll fall, and won't just in business"
*********
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