"Catherine," Maya said sharply, her voice clipped. "Get me his current contact and location details. I want to know everything about his whereabouts."
"Yes, ma'am," Catherine replied without hesitation, already typing furiously on her tablet.
But before she could finish, a sudden knock echoed through the office.
Tak. Tak.
A heavy silence fell.
Maya turned toward the door, heart suddenly pounding against her ribs.
And then, it opened.
There he was.
Ethan Cole.
Leaning casually against the doorframe, wearing that infuriating smirk that hadn't changed in years. His suit was sharp, his presence sharper.
"Looking for me, it seems," he said with a slight chuckle, stepping in as if he owned the place.
Maya's body stiffened. For a moment, she said nothing, but then slowly, she stood from her chair, walking toward him with slow, deliberate steps.
When she stopped, it was only inches away from him.
"Ethan Cole," she hissed, voice low and dangerous. "Are you enjoying this? Don't you have anything better to do than play these pathetic games?"
"Whoa, whoa. Easy now, Ms. Maya," Ethan raised both hands mockingly, his smirk never wavering. "You're the one getting in my way."
Maya clenched her jaw, trying to control the anger bubbling inside her. Her fists tightened at her sides, then loosened as she inhaled deeply.
"Why are you doing this, Ethan Cole?" she asked, her tone calmer now but no less cold. "You know how important this property is for us. I'll offer you ten percent more than the current market price. It's a fair deal."
Ethan tilted his head slightly, as if considering it. "Hm... tempting offer, really. And coming from you? That's almost sweet."
He straightened, the smirk finally fading into something unreadable. "But I'm declining. I don't want the money. I want my property back."
Maya's expression didn't change, but her heart sank. Of course, he would say that. Of all the people she had to deal with—why him?
Just then, her phone buzzed in her hand.
Noah flashed across the screen.
My prince.
Without thinking, she reached to answer it—but not before Ethan's eyes caught her expression.
He couldn't see the name, but something in her gaze shifted. His curiosity flared instantly.
"Is that your boyfriend?" he asked, his voice lighter, but there was something probing beneath.
Maya blinked and answered instinctively. "No. I don't have a boyfriend."
Ethan studied her face, searching for any signs of a lie.
He found none.
A smug smile curled at his lips. "Thought so. I mean, who's going to date you, anyway?" he teased with a low chuckle.
Maya's eyes narrowed, but she bit back her retort. She needed this deal, no matter how much she wanted to punch that stupid grin off his face.
So she exhaled through her nose and forced herself back to the negotiation.
"I'll raise it to twelve percent above market value. That's the final offer," she said firmly.
Ethan's eyes gleamed with something darker. He leaned in just slightly, his voice low and mocking.
"Let's see how long you can keep this company running," he whispered. "I'll be waiting. Right here. Just a cabinet away."
Then he leaned in even closer—so close his breath brushed against her ear.
"I'll be watching you, Maya."
Her heart thudded once, hard—but she stood her ground. She refused to let him rattle her.
Not now. Not in front of her staff.
Behind her, the office was utterly still. Her employees were staring, wide-eyed. This was their boss—Maya, the woman who'd never bowed to anyone. Seeing her grit her teeth and hold back was shocking.
But Maya had no choice. Her pride was bruised, her patience fraying, but this was business. And she couldn't afford to let emotions get in the way.
Not when Noah's future depended on it.