Chapter 4
1306 Words
Edward Malcolm rarely concerned himself with entry-level placements. Those decisions were usually left to Human Resources and the various department heads. He preferred it that way; his attention was better spent on acquisitions, mergers, and the kind of decisions that made headlines.
But for the first time, he’d made an exception.
The file had come across his desk three days ago, buried in HR paperwork, flagged by one of his advisors—thin, almost unremarkable, except for the passport and the name printed neatly at the top: Daphne Hart.
The same woman that had appeared in his thoughts more than once since that night.
He told himself it had been nothing. A fleeting encounter in a crowded club, one night with a stranger who had walked away from him. He hadn’t intended to think of her again. And yet—when her application had crossed his desk, forwarded for a standard placement in Marketing—something in him had paused.
Coincidence? He didn’t believe in those.
Edward leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. Officially, he could justify the switch easily. The Director’s office needed a reliable secretary; turnover there had been irritatingly high. The Marketing department could manage without her. A practical decision, nothing more.
At least, that’s what he told himself.
He’d made the call quickly, efficiently, as if it were no different than approving a budget report. No one questioned him. They never did.
And now here she was. Standing in his office, clutching her bag like a shield, staring at him with those wide eyes that gave away far more than she thought.
He let the silence stretch, savoring the way unease rippled through her. She thought she could hide, vanish into anonymity. She thought he wouldn’t find her.
She was wrong.
“Miss Hart,” he said evenly, watching the way her throat tightened as he spoke her name. “Welcome to the Malcolm Group.”
Her lips parted—hesitant, searching for words—“Thank you… sir.”Daphne swallowed, her fingers tightening around the folder in her hands.
His gaze lingered, far longer than polite. “I trust the change in assignment wasn’t too… disruptive?”
Her lips parted, then pressed shut again. “Unexpected, yes. But I’ll manage.”
A beat of silence. He leaned back in his chair, watching her like one might watch a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit before gesturing toward a man standing near the corner of the office — she hadn’t even realized someone else was in the room.
“This is Nathan Cole,” Edward said. “My assistant. You’ll be working with him closely.”
Nathan stepped forward, a tall man in his early thirties with kind eyes behind his glasses. His smile was easy, a relief against the cold weight of Edward’s stare. “Miss Hart. Glad to have you on board. I’ll show you how things run around here, get you settled at your station. Don’t worry, we’ll keep you alive.”
The corner of Daphne’s mouth tugged in what almost became a laugh, but she swallowed it quickly, too aware of Edward watching her. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
Edward leaned back in his chair, studying the exchange like it was its own performance. “Nathan has been with me for eight years. He’ll make sure you learn the ropes quickly.” His gaze cut back to her, unblinking. “We’ll speak again once you’ve found your footing.”
Nathan gave a subtle nod, sensing the tension. “Come on, Miss Hart. Let’s get you set up outside.”
As Daphne followed him toward the door, she could feel Edward’s eyes still on her, heavy and certain, as though he hadn’t finished speaking at all.
---
The door shut softly behind them, and only then did Daphne let out the breath she’d been holding.
Nathan cast her a sideways glance as they walked down the sleek corridor. “You look like you just sat through a firing squad.”
Daphne blinked, startled by his bluntness. “Was it that obvious?”
He grinned, easygoing in a way that immediately made her shoulders drop a fraction. “I’ve been around Mr. Malcolm long enough to recognize the look. He doesn’t exactly go out of his way to make people comfortable.”
“That’s… an understatement,” she muttered, clutching her bag tighter.
Nathan chuckled “Well, congratulations. This is your new battlefield. You’re the first face anyone sees before they step into the lion’s den. Some people would call it an honor.”
Her throat tightened. She wasn’t sure what to call it. “And others?”
Nathan’s smile curved wryly. “A punishment.”
Despite herself, she almost laughed. It came out half-strangled. “Great. Just what I needed.”
He pulled out the chair for her, his tone softening. “Don’t worry. I’ll walk you through the systems, the calendar, the phone. You’ll get the hang of it faster than you think. And—” He leaned in a little, lowering his voice. “—if it ever feels like too much, you can come to me. Off the record.”
Daphne nodded, grateful for the lifeline, but her eyes flicked back toward Edward’s closed door. Her pulse still hadn’t settled.
Nathan followed her gaze, his expression unreadable. “Whatever history you and Mr. Malcolm have—don’t let it rattle you. He’s demanding, sure, but he respects competence. If you keep your head down and do your job, you’ll survive.”
Her breath hitched. If only it were that simple.
Nathan tapped the desk lightly, breaking her reverie. “Come on. Let’s get you logged in before he comes looking for updates.”
She sank into the chair, smoothing her skirt with trembling hands, and told herself she could do this.
At least, she hoped she could.
---
Back in the office, Edward sat in silence, his gaze fixed on the door she had just walked through. The faint echo of her footsteps down the corridor seemed to linger longer than they should have, threading under his skin.
She looked exactly the same.
No—worse. She looked more dangerous now than she had that night.
He had seen the way her eyes had flickered when she realized who he was.
He exhaled slowly, tapping a finger once against the armrest of his chair. She thought she could keep her composure, that the weight of that night had been erased with time and distance. She thought she could hide, vanish into anonymity. She was wrong.
Nathan returned a few minutes later, sliding a folder onto the desk with practiced efficiency. “She’s settled.”
Edward didn’t look up. “And?”
Nathan hesitated, then said carefully, “She’s… nervous. Understandably. But sharp. She’ll find her rhythm.”
Edward’s jaw flexed, his gaze still on the door. “Keep an eye on her.”
Nathan adjusted his glasses, studying him for a beat. “Of course. But if I may—was there a reason you reassigned her here? Marketing would’ve been a quieter start.”
Edward’s eyes finally lifted, cool and unreadable. “Do you question all my decisions, Nathan?”
Nathan held his gaze, then gave a small, professional smile. “Only the curious ones.”
Edward leaned back, steepling his fingers. “Then consider this one… intentional.”
Nathan inclined his head, wisely letting the subject drop, though the faint trace of curiosity lingered in his expression. He left the office quietly, closing the door behind him.
Alone again, Edward allowed himself the smallest curve of a smile.
He’d brought her here for a reason. Whether she knew it or not, Daphne Hart had stepped into his world—and Edward Malcolm never let go of what was his.
- Writer
