❤︎ 𝓕𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓐𝓭𝓭𝓲𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 ❤︎

❤︎ 𝓒𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 4: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 ❤︎

Aria stared at the contract in her trembling hands.

Three times her current salary.

The amount was enough to cover her mother's medical bills, pay the overdue rent, and finally give them a chance at a better life.

But becoming Adrian Knight's personal assistant?

That meant spending every single day with the man she barely knew.

"I'll take the regular position," she said firmly.

Adrian leaned back in his chair, studying her expression.

"You're refusing more money?"

"I need a job, not special treatment."

For a moment, silence filled the office.

Then Adrian smiled.

"I expected that answer."

"You did?"

He nodded.

"If you had accepted the money immediately, I would've questioned your intentions."

Aria frowned.

"So this was some kind of test?"

"You could say that."

She folded her arms.

"You really enjoy testing people."

"I enjoy knowing who I can trust."

Just then, a sharp knock echoed through the office.

Clara hurried inside, looking worried.

"Mr. Knight... the board members are here. They're demanding an emergency meeting."

Adrian checked his watch.

"Earlier than expected."

He looked at Aria.

"Come with me."

"Me?"

"I want you to observe."

Minutes later, they entered the large boardroom.

Several executives were already seated, their faces serious.

As Adrian took his seat, one of the older board members glanced at Aria.

"And who is this?"

"My employee," Adrian answered calmly.

Another executive smirked.

"The new girl? She's sitting in on a board meeting already?"

The room filled with quiet murmurs.

Aria felt every pair of eyes on her.

She wanted to disappear.

Adrian's expression hardened.

"She is here because I invited her."

The room immediately fell silent.

No one dared challenge him further.

The meeting began, but halfway through, one of the executives slammed a file onto the table.

"Our biggest investor is threatening to walk away."

"If that happens," another added, "the company's reputation will suffer."

Everyone started arguing at once.

Aria listened carefully.

Then she noticed something.

A small mistake in the financial report.

She hesitated.

Should she speak?

Slowly, she raised her hand.

"I... I think I found the problem."

Every head turned toward her.

The room went completely silent.

Even Adrian looked at her with surprise.

♡︎ End of Chapter 4 ♡︎

Cliffhanger: Will Aria's observation save the company, or will speaking up on her very first day make powerful enemies?