Chapter 1

Chapter 1 – Collide

Serena Hayes gripped the rolled-up blueprints in her hand so tightly that the edges crumpled. She wasn't nervous—she was furious. The sleek, glass-walled skyscraper that loomed over her was a symbol of everything she despised: power, greed, and arrogance. And at the heart of it all stood Elias Carter.

A billionaire developer with a reputation colder than the steel towers he built, Elias was a man who saw cities as nothing more than profit maps. He didn't care about history. He didn't care about preservation. He cared about winning.

And today, he was trying to win against her.

With a deep breath, Serena marched through the lavish lobby of Carter Enterprises, her heels clicking against the marble floors. The receptionist barely had time to greet her before she strode past, heading straight for the executive floor.

She had sent emails.

She had called.

And every single time, she had been ignored.

Fine. If Elias Carter wouldn't listen, she'd make him.

The moment the elevator doors slid open, Serena stormed toward the massive office at the end of the corridor. The assistant at the desk shot up in alarm.

"Miss Hayes, you can't just—"

But Serena already pushed the door open, stepping into the lion's den.

Elias Carter sat behind his desk, bathed in the golden light of the skyline. Sharp jawline, crisp suit, piercing gray eyes—he looked exactly like the ruthless businessman the world feared. And the moment those cold eyes met hers, something unspoken crackled between them.

Annoyance. Amusement. And something dangerously close to curiosity.

"You have five seconds to explain why you just barged into my office," Elias said smoothly, leaning back in his chair as if she were an amusing distraction.

Serena slammed the blueprints onto his desk. "You're making a mistake."

He raised an eyebrow. "You'll have to be more specific. I make a lot of those."

She exhaled sharply. "Your latest project—the Lincoln Square redevelopment. That historic building you're planning to demolish? You can't. It's a part of this city's legacy."

Elias glanced at the blueprints, then back at her. "And?"

And?!

Serena's blood boiled. "And you don't get to erase history just because you want another glass tower with your name on it."

Elias stood, slow and deliberate, rounding the desk until he was just inches away from her. He was taller than she expected, his presence suffocating.

"Miss Hayes," he murmured, his voice dangerously smooth, "You seem to be under the impression that I care about your opinion."

Serena refused to back down. "You should. Because I won't stop fighting you on this. I'll take this to the press, to the city council, to anyone who will listen."

Something flickered in his gaze. Interest? Amusement? Either way, it infuriated her.

Then, to her utter disbelief, he smirked.

"I do enjoy a challenge," he mused. "Let's see if you're as persistent as you think."

And just like that, Serena knew—this wasn't just a battle over a building.

It was war.

To be continued....