Yours, Not Contracted

CHAPTER 7- DANGEROUS CHOICE

Aria stares at the tablet in disbelief. The article includes a blurry photo of her leaving Blackwell Holdings, but her face is just clear enough that people who know her could recognize her. Her stomach drops.

She whispers, "How did they even know I was here?"

Nathan zooms in on the image.

"This wasn't taken from the street. Whoever took it was close enough to follow you through the lobby."

Adrian's expression turns cold.

"Security."

Within moments, the head of security arrives. Adrian orders an immediate review of every security camera from the building entrance to the executive floor.

As they wait, the atmosphere in the office grows tense.

Aria finally breaks the silence.

"I haven't even accepted your offer."

Adrian meets her eyes.

"I know."

"But somehow, I'm already part of this."

He doesn't deny it.

Nathan quietly adds, "This is exactly what we were trying to avoid."

A few minutes later, security returns with disturbing news: the footage shows someone wearing a maintenance uniform entering a restricted corridor shortly before Aria's interview. The person never checks in with building management, and by the time security realizes it, they're gone.

Nathan mutters, "That wasn't a reporter."

Adrian's jaw tightens.

"No. It was someone who knew exactly where to be."

Aria feels a chill. She came looking for a job. Instead, she has stumbled into something much bigger than office gossip.

Before she can ask another question, Adrian's phone rings.

He answers, listening without speaking.

When he hangs up, his face is unreadable.

"The board has called an emergency meeting."

Nathan frowns.

"They've seen the article."

Adrian nods once.

"They want an explanation."

He looks at Aria.

"And until we know who's behind this leak..."

He pauses.

"...I don't think it's safe for you to leave alone."

Aria opens her mouth to object, but before she can speak, her own phone vibrates.

An unknown number.

She hesitates, then answers.

A distorted voice says only one sentence:

"Walk away from Adrian Blackwell... or you'll regret ever walking into that building."

The call disconnects.

Aria slowly lowers the phone.

She doesn't say a word.

She doesn't have to.

Adrian has already seen the fear in her eyes.

The phone slipped from Aria's trembling fingers onto the polished floor.

The anonymous voice still echoed in her ears.

"Walk away from Adrian Blackwell... or you'll regret ever walking into that building."

Nathan was the first to react.

"What happened?"

Aria swallowed hard before meeting Adrian's eyes.

"Someone just threatened me."

The room went still.

Adrian reached for the phone.

"Give it to me."

She hesitated only a second before placing it in his hand.

He examined the number.

"Private line."

Nathan frowned.

"I'll have IT trace it, but I wouldn't expect much."

Adrian's expression remained unreadable, though the slight tightening of his jaw told a different story.

"This isn't random."

Aria folded her arms tightly.

"I don't understand."

"You don't have to."

He looked directly at her.

"But from this moment on, you're no longer just a job applicant."

The words settled over the room like a storm cloud.

Outside the glass walls, the city buzzed as though nothing had changed.

Then Aria went ahead to ask him”then what am I going to be? “.

“ My fiancee”

Aria's eyes shone “What?”

Adrian slipped the phone onto his desk and looked directly at Aria.

"Until we know who's behind this, you won't be going anywhere without security."

Aria frowned. "That's not necessary."

"It wasn't a request.”

Aria lowered her gaze, unconsciously tightening her grip on the strap of her bag. She wanted to believe him, but trust wasn't built in a single conversation. It was earned, piece by piece, and Adrian Blackwell was still a man she barely knew