Kajoru

Sabrina Vance, a brilliant but fiercely independent woman, finds herself caught up in the harsh world of corporate power when she is compelled to work for the famed CEO Nathaniel Knight. Nathaniel, a powerful, cold, and enigmatic figure, is known for eliminating his foes and meddling with people's lives. However, Sabrina sees something beyond his frigid exterior—something that fills her with both fear and longing.

What began as a professional relationship quickly devolved into a lethal game of manipulation in which the lines between love, hatred, and obsession blurred. Sabrina becomes caught in Nathaniel's labyrinth of secrets, dark pasts, and a lethal family conflict. As she delves more into Nathaniel's world, she understands that trusting him might lead to either an all-consuming love or a trap that destroys everything she knows.

Tangled in Power

The night air felt heavier, suffocating.

Sabrina's breath caught as she looked at Victor, his gun steady and his expression enigmatic. Nathaniel came in front of her automatically, covering her with his body.

"Well," Victor mused, his voice smooth, calculated. "This is quite the scene. Romance under the stars? How touching."

Nathaniel's jaw tightened. "If you came here to gloat, get it over with."

Victor chuckled, shaking his head. "Gloat? No, Nathaniel. I came to see where your loyalties truly lie." His eyes flicked to Sabrina. "And to see if the girl is as important as you make her seem."

Sabrina's heart pounded. She could feel the weight of Nathaniel's decision pressing in. Victor wasn't here to negotiate. He was here to test Nathaniel—to see if he'd choose power over her.

Nathaniel took a step forward, voice low but firm. "If you so much as touch her, I swear—"

Victor raised a hand lazily. "Oh, relax. I wouldn't want to damage something so… precious." His lips curled. "But I need assurance. Because let's be honest, Knight—this woman is making you weak."

Sabrina stiffened, but Nathaniel's voice came cold and sharp. "No. She's the reason I see clearly now."

Nathaniel continued, his voice unwavering. "You taught me that loyalty means everything. That once we give it, there's no turning back." His gaze darkened. "But loyalty isn't fear, Victor. It's not control. You demand obedience, not trust."

Victor's expression hardened. "Watch yourself, Knight."

"For years, I followed every order, played every game. But you never taught me the cost of losing myself." He glanced back at Sabrina, his eyes burning with something raw and real. "I won't make that mistake again."

She wasn't sure when it happened—when this man who had been shrouded in power and secrecy became hers. But in this moment, she saw him choose her.

Victor sighed, shaking his head. "What a shame. I truly expected better from you." He lifted the gun, aiming directly at Nathaniel. "If you're not with me, you're against me."

Sabrina's pulse roared in her ears.

No. No, this can't happen.

Without thinking, she stepped in front of Nathaniel.

Nathaniel's hands gripped her arms instantly. "Sabrina—move."

Her voice was steady, even as fear wrapped around her. "You said I was important, Victor. That I was a test." Her eyes locked onto his. "Then let me prove it."

Victor tilted his head, intrigued. "Oh? And how do you intend to do that?"

She forced herself to keep going. "You said Nathaniel was weak because of me. So let me prove you wrong. I'll stay with Knight Industries. I'll learn. I'll be loyal." Her fingers curled into fists. "But I do it my way."

Victor studied her, then laughed. "Brave girl." He lowered the gun slightly. "And what makes you think I trust your words?"

Sabrina met his gaze with steel. "Because I'm not asking."

Then, Victor smirked. "Interesting." He flicked his gaze to Nathaniel. "It seems she has more spine than I thought."

Chapter 30: A Dangerous Choice