Chapter 1: A pervert boss

  The bartender’s smile stiffened as I swirled the wine in my gss. “Terrible,” I decred, letting the bitterness linger on my tongue. “Got anything worth my time?”

  He straightened his tie, professionalism warring with irritation. “An exclusive red—Italian, limited vintage. Four hundred ay-two dolrs.”

  I smirked. “Now that sounds like a price tag.” Tossing back the dregs of my drink, I slid the gss toward him. “Pour it. And keep your penerous.”

  Then, turning to the man beside me, I added, “Don’t keep me waiting. We have a deal, and you have to do your part.”

  I paid for that bottle, took it with me, a. Later, the night air bit into my lungs as I walked, the city’s hum dulled by the weight of tomorrow. Four hundred ay-two dolrs—a drop in the bucket, but a waste on swill. I’d save it for Sunday—a reward for surviving another week of babysitting inpetence.

  6:03 AM.

  My refle gred back from the bathroom mirror: a sharp jaw, sharper eyes—the kind of face that made interns scramble. Success had carved itself into every a 26, I’d built an empire from caffeine and spite. The wine? A flex. The penthouse? A trophy. The pany? A chessboard.

  Driving to work, I pulled up in front of my pride and joy: a sleek, gss-covered building that gleamed uhe m sun. This was my building, my pany.

  Theodore stood ramrod-straight in the lobby when I arrived, his ox-like shoulders tense. “Sir,” he greeted, gaze fixed ahead.

  “First in again, Theodore?” I didn’t slow my stride. “Seven months straight, and you’ll be Employee of the Year.”

  His throat bobbed. “Actually, sir, Ms. Selia’s already here. In your office.”

  I paused. Of course she is. “You’re still my favorite, Theodore. Know why? You don’t hreats—just a pat on the head and maybe a bonus.” I cpped his shoulder, feeling him flinch. “Eyes forward.”

  “Selia.” Her name dripped like a verdict. She stiffened, her knuckles white against her skirt. Ay. Fear. Despair. Perfect.

  I didn’t sit. I didn’t blink. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused MY pany with your rookie mistakes?”

  Her lips trembled as she attempted a response. “But... I—”

  “Enough!” I smmed my palms on the desk, cutting her off. “We were hacked, Selia. Our entire local database was promised—even the backup ste. I fixed the breach, but now you must atoarting today, you will work from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM—every day, weekends included—for the six months. Additionally, 45% of your sary will be deducted to cover our losses.”

  I paused, letting the severity of my words sink in as her tear-filled eyes met miterly defeated.

  “I do anything but this. Please,” she whispered, her voice crag.

  A smile threate the er of my mouth, though I quickly suppressed it. Checkmate, I thought.

  I was well aware of her parents’ dire situation in the hospital—the astronomical medical bills that drained her finances. She couldn’t afford to quit, and even if she did, I could easily ruin her reputation so she’d never find another job. She was trapped, ah k.

  Leaning in, I pced a hand on the wall behind her so that our faces were just inches apart. “Are you absolutely sure about that?” I murmured, voice low and deliberate.

  “Y...yes,” she stammered, barely audible.

  “And how do you pn to pay me?” I challenged. Her eyes widened, and I saw her resolve begin to crumble.

  “I... I pay with my body,” she finally admitted, her voice trembling.

  I straightened up auro my desk. “Deal?” I asked calmly.

  “Yes. Deal,” she whispered.

  Knowing Selia well, I assumed she’d he rest of the day to recover from the shock. I dismissed her, fident she’d ply.

  Selia

  I was hacked after my so a photo of me, him, and my te husband—a mistake I never saw ing. The moment I clicked on it, it was too te. We got hacked. I could have saved everything, but fate intervened. At that exaent, I received a call from the hospital: my parents’ ditions had worsened. My father needed emergency surgery, and I had to leave work immediately.

  When I arrived, the situation was dire. Not only did my father need an immediate operation, but they also required a rge blood donation. By some stroke of luck, a visitor at the hospital—there for a sick family member—volunteered both blood and the funds to cover the operation cost.

  Monday came, and I went to work determio face the sequeny mistake. I vinced myself that Ray, behind his strict exterior, must have a ki. But when I stepped into his offid felt his overwhelming presence, I experienced fear for the first time in my life.

  I returned home in tears. My son didn’t ask any questions; he was used to seeing me upset over my parents. Later, standing in front of the mirror after a long, reflective shower, I looked at my refle and thought, This isn’t the worst thing in the world. I’m young and attractive. Maybe—if I catch Ray’s attention—I turn this disaster into an opportunity.

  Ray

  The m, Selia waited at her desk, spine rigid, makeup fwless.

  “Eager to start?” I drawled.

  She met my gaze. “A deal’s a deal.”

  I leaned in, close enough to t her shes. “Then tonight, you’ll meet your first t.”

  Her posure cracked—a flicker of pania?ve girl.

  I left her there, froze her stew. Pawns break. Brain-Locked? They shatter.

  And I hold the hammer.