Dangerously Yours

A New Beginning, An Old Promise

After signing the necessary paperwork, Vivian and Claire entered the room where Marcus’s coffin had been prepared.

Vivian’s gaze settled on the closed coffin. She had hoped to see Marcus one last time, but it was too late.

For a moment, she couldn’t move.

“Viv…” Claire murmured, gently touching her arm.

Vivian swallowed the lump in her throat and looked away.

There was nothing they could do now.

A few minutes later, the funeral workers carried the coffin outside, and the two women followed in silence.

They had chosen a quiet resting place for Marcus, surrounded by trees and far removed from the noise of the city. By the time they arrived, everything had been prepared for the burial.

The workers carefully lowered the coffin into the grave.

Vivian stood beside Claire, watching without a word.

At the head of the grave stood a simple stone bearing the name Marcus Kingsley.

Claire stepped forward and placed a small bouquet of flowers beside it.

Neither woman spoke. The loss was too great for words.

Eventually, Vivian knelt before the grave, her eyes fixed on the headstone.

“I’m sorry, Marcus,” she whispered. “I couldn’t kill him. He’s stronger than I expected, and he has far more experience than I do.”

Tears slipped down her cheeks, but she made no attempt to wipe them away.

For a moment, she remained there, remembering the man who had raised her and taught her everything she knew.

Then her expression hardened.

“But I’ll become smarter. I’ll find another way, no matter how long it takes.”

She slowly rose to her feet, looking down at his name one last time.

“I’m coming back for you, Marcus. And when I do, Adrian Vale, I’ll make you pay for everything.”

With that promise, Vivian turned away from the grave.

Claire fell into step beside her, and together they left the cemetery.

Neither looked back.

———

Five Years Later…

A sleek red Ferrari pulled into the parking lot of Blackwell Security Corporation, one of Country S’s fastest-growing security companies.

The company’s name was displayed in polished silver letters across the front of its towering glass building.

BLACKWELL SECURITY CORPORATION

The driver’s door opened, and a young woman stepped out.

She wore a fitted black blazer over a simple blouse, tailored trousers, and black heels. Her long, dark-brown hair fell down her back, and her obsidian-black eyes briefly surveyed the building before she closed the car door.

Vivian Blackwell had come a long way in five years.

The grieving girl who had knelt beside Marcus’s grave was no longer the person standing in the parking lot. In her place was a composed businesswoman who had built a successful company and learned to keep her emotions under control.

Whatever pain she carried, she rarely allowed it to show.

Vivian straightened her blazer and headed inside.

“Good morning, ma’am.”

“Good morning, Miss Blackwell.”

“Good morning, CEO.”

Employees greeted her as she crossed the lobby. She responded with polite nods and the occasional smile before approaching the private elevator.

The receptionist immediately stepped forward to press the button for her.

“Thank you,” Vivian said as she entered.

She pressed the button for the ninth floor, and the doors closed.

Her destination wasn’t her office.

She had a board meeting to attend.

When Vivian entered the boardroom, the executives seated around the long table rose to their feet.

“Good morning, CEO Blackwell.”

“Good morning, everyone. Please, sit.”

They took their seats, and Vivian settled into the chair at the head of the table.

Claire sat directly to her right.

Five years had passed since Marcus’s death, but the two women remained as close as ever. Claire had become Blackwell Security Corporation’s Vice Chairman and Head of Cybersecurity, overseeing the company’s cybersecurity division while working alongside Vivian on major projects and strategic decisions.

To Vivian’s left sat Daniel Hayes, the Chief Operating Officer. The remaining executives were seated around the table, each with a file in front of them.

Vivian glanced around the room.

“Let’s begin.”

Daniel opened his file. “The first item on today’s agenda is the proposal from Meridian Holdings.”

Vivian leaned back slightly. “Go on.”

“Meridian is looking for a company to conduct a comprehensive security and risk assessment of its headquarters and three additional facilities. They also want their cybersecurity infrastructure reviewed, along with recommendations for strengthening their existing systems.”

“Have they provided the information we need to prepare a proper proposal?”

“Yes. They’ve sent us their requirements, their current security procedures, and an overview of their existing systems.”

Claire opened her own file. “I’ve reviewed the cybersecurity information. A few areas need closer examination, but we won’t know the full extent of any vulnerabilities until we can assess their systems directly.”

“Good,” Vivian replied. “We won’t make recommendations based on assumptions.”

“Agreed,” Claire said.

Daniel continued. “They’re asking for the assessment to be completed within six weeks of awarding the contract.”

Vivian picked up the proposal and scanned the document. “How many companies are competing for it?”

“Three others. Two are established security firms, while the third specialises in cybersecurity.”

“And our estimated costs?”

Daniel opened another file and presented the figures. “Based on the scope of work, these are our projected expenses for personnel, technology, the assessment itself, and other operational requirements.”

Vivian studied the document before looking up. “What figure are we proposing?”

Daniel gave her the amount.

She considered it for a moment before setting the document down.

“It should be enough to cover the work without compromising the quality of our services,” Claire observed.

Vivian nodded. “Then we proceed with that figure. I don’t want us competing by offering the lowest price. Our work should speak for itself.”

The Head of Technology leaned forward. “What if the assessment reveals that some of their existing systems need to be replaced?”

“Then we present our findings and explain their options,” Vivian answered. “We give them the information they need to make an informed decision. We don’t sell solutions before we understand the problem.”

Daniel made a note. “Understood.”

Vivian turned to him. “Prepare the final proposal and send it to Meridian by Thursday. Make sure the scope of work, projected costs, and deliverables are clearly outlined.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The meeting moved on to other matters, including an existing client’s request to expand its cybersecurity services and the progress of a separate risk-assessment project.

Vivian listened carefully, asking questions when necessary and making decisions with measured confidence.

Over the past five years, Blackwell Security Corporation had grown into a respected name in the industry. The company specialised in identifying threats, exposing vulnerabilities, protecting sensitive information, and helping businesses strengthen their security before problems escalated.

Vivian had worked hard to build it into what it was today, and she had no intention of allowing that standard to slip.

Nearly an hour later, she closed the folder in front of her.

“That will be all for today. Thank you, everyone.”

The executives gathered their documents and filed out of the boardroom.

Claire remained seated.

Once the last person had left, Vivian turned to her, and the professional composure she had maintained throughout the meeting gave way to a genuine smile.

“Come on, Cee. It’s time we had some fun.”

Claire eyed her suspiciously.

“Oh, Viv…” She hesitated. “Knowing your definition of fun, I should probably be worried.”

Vivian laughed.

Before Claire could respond, Vivian caught her hand and pulled her toward the door.

Claire sighed dramatically but followed. “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”

Vivian only smiled. “Probably.”