Beneath his ruthless gaze

Chapter 1 The hospital smelled like antiseptic and despair. Hazel Moore sat on the edge of the bed, her trembling fingers brushing the damp hair from her niece’s forehead. Little Lily was barely seven, but her face looked pale and fragile against the white pillow. Hazel’s heart twisted as she listened to the slow beep of the monitor. “Please, hang in there, baby,” Hazel whispered, kissing Lily’s temple. The child’s tiny hand tightened around hers weakly, as though sensing her pain. The doctor’s voice echoed in her mind. The surgery needs to be done this week. If we wait any longer, we might lose her. The number still burned in Hazel’s memory: $120,000. That was the cost of keeping Lily alive. And Hazel didn’t have it. She barely made enough to pay for their small apartment and groceries. She’d gone to every bank, begged every friend. No one could help her. Her last hope—her pride—was now buried under desperation. --- Hazel worked as an office assistant at Blackwood Enterprises, one of the most powerful corporations in the city. Everyone whispered about its CEO, Eros Blackwood. A man of wealth, power, and danger. He was a billionaire, yes, but also something more. People said he had connections—dark connections that made even his competitors tread carefully. Hazel had seen him only once from afar, striding through the glass lobby surrounded by bodyguards. Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a tailored black suit that screamed money and authority. His face—sharp jaw, piercing dark eyes—was enough to make anyone stop breathing. But it was his presence that made the room freeze. He looked like a man who could own you with just a glance. Hazel tried not to think about him. She wasn’t the type to chase after powerful men. But tonight, sitting in the hospital with Lily’s life slipping away, Hazel thought of him—and the company vault. She had access to it. As part of her job, she sometimes handled small petty cash transactions. She knew the codes. She hated herself for even considering it. But what choice did she have? --- The office building was eerily quiet at midnight. Hazel’s heart pounded as she crept down the hallway, her steps muffled against the carpeted floor. She had waited until the guards on the lower floors were distracted. Her palms were sweaty as she reached the small safe in the finance office. Just enough for Lily. I’ll pay it back. He won’t even notice, she told herself as her fingers trembled over the keypad. The door clicked open. Hazel grabbed a stack of bills—her heart racing—and shoved them into her bag. She was just about to close the safe when a voice, deep and cold, cut through the silence. “Interesting. Most thieves don’t bother working here during the day first.” Hazel froze. The voice was like ice down her spine. Slowly, she turned. Eros Blackwood stood in the doorway, hands in his pockets, his dark eyes fixed on her like a predator studying its prey. The dim light from the office cast shadows over his sharp features. He looked every bit the ruthless king people whispered about. Hazel’s lips parted, but no words came out. “Go on,” Eros said, stepping closer, his polished shoes clicking on the marble floor. “Explain to me why one of my employees is helping herself to my money at midnight.” “I—I can explain,” Hazel stammered, clutching her bag. “I wasn’t—” “Don’t lie to me,” he cut in sharply. His voice was low, but each word dripped with authority that made her knees weak. “Do you know what I do to people who steal from me?” Hazel swallowed hard, her breath quickening. “Please… I didn’t mean to—my niece… she’s sick. She needs surgery. I had no choice.” Eros tilted his head slightly, studying her with a mix of curiosity and disdain. “So you thought stealing from me was the solution? You think I’m running a charity?” Tears stung Hazel’s eyes, but she forced herself to hold his gaze. “I’ll pay you back. I swear it. I just… I don’t have anyone else.” For a moment, silence filled the room. Then, unexpectedly, Eros laughed—a short, cruel sound. “You’re brave. Most people wouldn’t dare look me in the eye while begging for their life.” Hazel’s hands shook. “Are you going to call the police?” Eros stepped closer until she could feel the heat of his presence. His cologne—dark, expensive—wrapped around her senses. “No,” he said, his voice dangerously soft. “The police are… unnecessary. I have better ways of handling thieves.” Her stomach dropped. “What do you mean?” Eros’s gaze swept over her, slow and deliberate. “You want money? You’ll earn it. You’ll work for me. But not here. From tomorrow, you’ll be at my mansion. As my personal maid.” Hazel’s eyes widened. “What?” “Consider it your punishment—and your chance to repay what you stole,” he said. His lips curved into a cold, mocking smile. “And Hazel… when you work for me, there will be no mistakes. Understand?” Hazel’s breath caught in her throat. She knew she was stepping into a world she didn’t understand, but for Lily, she would do anything. Even if it meant working beneath his ruthless gaze.