Her Dangerous Choice: Two Billionaire Brothers, One Heart

The first lie I told them was that I wanted the job. The second was that I didn’t recognize the name Cross. But everyone knows - lies, like perfume, work better when you wear just enough to linger but not enough to choke. So I smiled, took a glass of water to my lips, and marinated in my ambition. This place wasn’t built for girls like me. However, I knew how to get in. I studied them. The way they spoke. Dressed. Blinked. Smiled. And now I was inside. Finally. Interview attire worn. Past locked away. “Miss Ivy Vale?” the assistant said, knocking gently. The surname - a lie, never sounded so much like the truth. She opened the door to a room that could end me. Or in turn, make me unstoppable. And, of course, I walked in like I owned it. The air tasted like money. And I was starving. “Thank you Anna, I’ll speak to you later. ” a cool crisp voice announced from the end of the room. “And you can sit just there Miss …” he scanned the contents of a paper on his desk tone unreadable. “Vale.” I stepped forward, my heels hitting the marble floor with confidence, a routine I’d rehearsed too many times to count. It couldn’t be more obvious who that voice belonged to - Alexander Cross. The eldest of the Cross brothers. CEO of Cross Industries. Architect of a billion dollar legacy. And the brilliant mind behind The Cross Empire. And yes - every bit as handsome as the magazines claimed This was the boardroom - all dark glass and stainless steel, decorated with an aggressively long table at its centre, lined with a dozen executives pretending not to be watching me. I smiled sweetly. My targets weren’t just in the room, they were the faces of the empire. “So why would someone like you want to work here ?” The voice dripped with arrogance. Adrian Cross. The youngest of the Cross brothers and CEO of Cross Technologies. Notorious bad boy and black cat of the family. Dark features and jet black slicked hair. Rather attractive on further observation. He was lounged back in his chair like It was a throne, one eyebrow raised, already half bored. Typical. Adrian was everything I expected: careless, cocky and dangerously clever when he felt like it. He’d be the easiest to manipulate - and the first to fall. He just didn’t know it yet. I took my seat slowly, letting my bag slide off my shoulder, crossing my legs with deliberate poise. I didn’t rush. Let them wait “Well … I suppose I like a challenge,” I said lightly, locking eyes with Adrian then surveying the room. “And this company seems like the kind of place where people either sink or swim. Im not in the habit of drowning.” That got a small chuckle from Adrian. But my eyes lingered on Alexander for a short moment. I watched as a smirk force its way onto his lips. Not quite impressed, not quite annoyed. That was fine. I’d get under his skin eventually. This was part of the plan. I needed to focus on Adrian for now. I smiled, calculated, showing my acknowledgement of him appreciating my comment. Alexander cleared his throat. It wasn’t loud, but enough to pull the gravity back to him. “You’ve worked with asset management firms, and you intervened at Blacktower Capital.” He didn’t phrase it as a question. “Yet you’re applying for a junior analyst role. Some might call that a step backwards.” Some might. But not me. The junior role was perfect for my agenda - low visibility, high access. I’d be close to confidential data, senior managers, and far from suspicion. “ I see it as a strategic repositioning,” I said, voice smooth. “Cross Global Holdings ( or what the media likes to call The Cross Empire ) doesn’t operate like other firms. Your’e in multiple verticals: tech, logistics, investments, infrastructure. If I want to be at the centre of the action, I have to be willing to start where the action happens.” A pause. Controlled. Measured. “And I want to learn directly from the best.” Alexander didn’t smile. But I didn’t expect him to. “What makes you think you can keep up?” “I’ve been keeping up my whole life,” I replied, just a touch too fast. I smiled, softening it. “But if you’re asking whether I can handle long hours, complex data models, and high-pressure deadlines - yes. And more than that, I enjoy it.” Adrian scoffed softly. “Enjoy it? No one enjoys spreadsheets.” “I do. Numbers don’t lie,” I said, eyes flicking to him. “People do.” The table quieted. Alexander leaned forward slightly, elbows on the table, hands folded. “Miss Vale, what would you say is your biggest weakness?” A classic move. I gave him a classic smile. “I over-prepare,” I said simply. “But in my experience, that’s never really a weakness. It’s an advantage most people underestimate.” Adrian tilted his head. “You’re a piece of work.” “I’ve been called worse.” Alexander closed the folder in front of him. “We’ll be in touch.” I stood slowly, gave a brief nod of thanks, and turned to leave, my heart racing, but only on the inside. I had done what I came here to do. And then, as my hand brushed the polished metal of the door handle, his voice caught me once more. “Miss Vale?” I turned back, eyebrows raised. He didn’t blink. “I’ll see you Monday.” Game on.