BOUND TO YOU

Episode 1: The Man I Never Wanted to Meet The rain poured relentlessly over the streets of New York as Maya Carter hurried toward the subway, clutching her bag tightly against her chest. Another exhausting day at Cole Group Holdings had finally come to an end. She had promised herself years ago that no man would ever break her heart again—not after what Jason Reed had done to her. Just as she stepped off the curb, a sleek black luxury car splashed water across her clothes. "What the—?" Maya gasped, staring at the ruined white blouse she had spent half her salary buying. The driver's door opened, and a tall man in a perfectly tailored black suit stepped out. His sharp jawline, piercing dark eyes, and calm expression made him look like he had walked straight out of a magazine. "I'm sorry," he said in a deep, steady voice. Maya folded her arms. "Sorry? That's all you have to say?" The man reached into his wallet and pulled out a thick stack of cash. "Buy yourself another outfit." Her eyes narrowed. "You think money solves everything?" He raised an eyebrow. "Most problems." She pushed his hand away. "Not this one." Without another word, Maya walked off, leaving the handsome stranger standing in the rain. Inside the car, Noah Brooks, the man's best friend and business partner, laughed. "That's the first woman I've ever seen reject Ethan Cole." Ethan watched Maya disappear into the crowd. "Find out who she is." The next morning, Maya arrived at work, still annoyed by yesterday's encounter. She froze when she entered the conference room. Standing at the front was the same man. The CEO of Cole Group Holdings. Ethan Cole. The entire room fell silent as Ethan's eyes met hers. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "So," he said calmly, "we meet again." Maya looked away, refusing to be intimidated. She had no idea that this arrogant billionaire was about to turn her carefully protected world upside down. Outside the conference room, Victoria Hayes watched through the glass, jealousy burning in her eyes. "If Ethan is interested in her," she whispered, "I'll make sure she regrets ever walking into his life." End of Episode 1