CHAPTER 3: The Man Who Took Everything
867 Words
The elevator doors opened slowly.
Mara stepped out first.
Cold air hit her face immediately.
Too quiet.
Too clean.
Too controlled.
Kane Holdings didn’t feel like a company.
It felt like a warning.
Two security guards stood at the entrance of a glass hallway.
One of them spoke without emotion.
This way.
Mara frowned slightly. Am I supposed to just follow strangers now?
No answer.
Of course.
She walked anyway.
Her heels echoed down the hallway, sharp and steady, even though her pulse wasn’t.
At the end of the corridor, a door stood slightly open.
She didn’t knock.
She walked in.
And stopped.
The room was massive.
Glass walls. City view. Dark furniture. Silence so thick it felt intentional.
And there he was.
Elijah Kane.
Standing by the window like the world outside belonged to him.
He didn’t turn immediately.
Like he already knew she was there.
That annoyed her instantly.
You enjoy making people wait? Mara asked.
Only then did he turn.
Slowly.
His eyes landed on her.
And stayed there.
Not casual.
Not polite.
Careful.
Like he was reading something she couldn’t see.
I don’t make people wait, he said calmly. I decide when they’re allowed in.
Mara scoffed. Right. And I’m guessing I’m lucky to be allowed in at all.
A faint pause.
Then…
You’re not lucky, he replied. You’re necessary.
That made her stop for half a second.
Then she recovered quickly.
Let’s skip the poetry, she said. You took control of my company. I want to know why.
Elijah walked slowly toward the desk.
Unhurried.
Confident.
Mara didn’t move back.
Even though something in her told her she should.
He stopped just across from her.
Close enough that the air felt tighter.
You’re angry, he said.
I’m not here to be analyzed.
I didn’t ask permission.
Silence.
Mara’s jaw tightened.
You froze my accounts. My board is falling apart. My employees are panicking. She leaned forward slightly. And you’re standing here talking like this is normal.”
It is normal, he said.
That’s insane.
No. His voice stayed even. That’s business.
A beat.
Mara stared at him.
There was something about him that didn’t match the situation.
No excitement.
No arrogance.
Just control.
Too much control.
You don’t even look satisfied, she said sharply.
That made something shift in his expression.
Not obvious.
Just a flicker.
Then it disappeared.
I don’t need satisfaction, he said quietly.
Then what do you need?
A pause.
Longer this time.
His gaze stayed on her face.
Too focused.
Too still.
Mara frowned slightly. What?
Nothing about her changed.
But something inside him tightened.
Elijah studied her carefully now.
Not her clothes.
Not her posture.
Her face.
Her voice.
Her eyes.
And then…
a realization hit him.
She didn’t know.
She didn’t recognize him.
Not even a trace.
Nothing.
His jaw tightened slightly.
But his expression stayed calm.
Perfectly calm.
Mara noticed the shift anyway.
What? she asked again. Did I say something wrong?
No, he said.
Too fast.
Then slower…
No.
Silence.
Mara crossed her arms. You keep staring at me like I’m supposed to understand something. I don’t.
A pause.
Elijah turned slightly away from her.
Just enough to break eye contact.
A mistake.
Because it gave away the change in him.
Inside, something sharp twisted.
Anger.
Controlled.
Buried instantly.
She doesn’t remember.
Not even a fragment.
His hands curled slightly at his side.
Then relaxed.
He turned back.
Cold again.
Sit down, he said.
Mara didn’t move. I don’t take orders from you.
You already are.
That annoyed her.
She stepped closer to the desk. Let’s be clear. You don’t own me.
A faint pause.
His eyes lowered slightly.
Not yet, he said.
That hit differently.
Mara frowned. What does that mean?
Elijah didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he walked back toward the window.
Like distance helped him stay in control.
You’re here because your company is unstable, he said finally.
I already knew that.
You don’t know how unstable.
Mara watched him carefully. Then tell me.
Before he could answer…
the door opened.
A man in a suit entered quickly, holding a tablet.
Sir, the board is ready for the call.
Elijah didn’t look away from the window.
Start it.
The man nodded and left immediately.
Mara stepped forward slightly. Call? What call?
Elijah turned halfway.
Your board meeting.
Her stomach tightened.
You’re holding meetings without me?
You’re no longer required in them.
That sentence landed hard.
Mara’s voice lowered. You’re trying to remove me completely.
No, he said calmly.
A pause.
Then…
I’m deciding how much of your company survives.
Her breath slowed.
That’s not your decision.
Elijah finally looked at her fully again.
And for the first time…
there was something darker in his gaze.
Not anger at her words.
Something deeper.
Something personal.
It is now, he said quietly.
The room felt colder.
Mara stared at him.
And for the first time…
she felt it.
Not fear.
Not anger.
Something worse.
Uncertainty.
Before she could speak again…
the screen on the wall lit up automatically.
Board members appeared one by one.
Waiting.
Watching.
And at the center of the screen…
a final voice spoke.
Mr. Kane will take the meeting now.
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