Chapter 1: A Fiery Encounter

Mia Donovan had always been a fighter. Growing up in the heart of the bustling city, she had learned to survive on her own terms. With her father gone and her mother struggling to make ends meet, Mia had spent her childhood juggling part-time jobs while excelling in school. She had dreams—big ones—but life had a cruel way of testing her resilience.

After graduating with honors, Mia had expected to land a decent job quickly, but reality hit her hard. Months of searching led to nothing but rejection after rejection. Bills piled up, and she was down to her last few dollars when she finally got a call—an opportunity at Blackwood Enterprises. It was a long shot, a high-profile corporation with a reputation for being ruthless, but she had no choice.

The interview process was grueling, but Mia's sharp mind and determination had set her apart. She was hired, but little did she know that she would be working directly under Adrian Blackwood—the arrogant, ruthless CEO who was both admired and feared in the business world.

Her first encounter with Adrian was nothing short of a disaster. Mia had been rushing into the building on her first day when she collided head-on with a tall, immaculately dressed man. Hot coffee spilled onto his pristine charcoal-gray suit.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry—" Mia began, scrambling to clean up the mess with a napkin she had stuffed in her pocket.

A sharp, irritated voice cut her off. "Do you have any idea how much this suit costs?"

Mia looked up, meeting a pair of stormy gray eyes that held a mix of fury and cold detachment. Adrian Blackwood was even more striking in person—chiseled jawline, piercing gaze, and an aura of absolute power. But his arrogance was insufferable.

"I said I was sorry," Mia snapped, crossing her arms. "Maybe if you weren't standing in the middle of the hallway like a statue, this wouldn't have happened."

His brows lifted in disbelief. "Excuse me?"

"Excused," she said sweetly before turning on her heel and walking away, leaving him standing there in stunned silence.

That was the moment Adrian Blackwood decided—Mia Donovan was a problem he needed to handle.