CHAPTER1
1140 Words
“Move it, lady.”
The words hit Liora Quinn like an unexpected slap—and they weren’t even meant for her. Balancing a teetering stack of folders, she skidded past the glass-paneled corner office, her Santoni heel catching in the designer carpet of Crowne Innovations’ top floor.
“Whoops.” She let out a soft breath and bent to scoop up the papers. Behind her, a tall figure’s voice cut through the hushed hum of assistants and interns.
“That’s your third mistake this morning, Quinn. Care to explain why I should keep you instead of firing you on the spot?”
Liora’s heart thudded. She straightened, cheeks flaming noticing the attention of several people on them. They were obviously aware of the way she’ll be crushed into dust, yet no-one dared to interfere. “Sir—CEO Crowne, I—”
The man stepped into view
Sebastian Crowne. Broad shoulders like a perfectly tailored suit, dark hair tousled just enough to look effortless, and eyes so piercing she felt raw under their scrutiny.
Her crush since forever.
“I’m sorry. I’m new, and I—” She tried to steady her voice.
He clicked a pen. “New doesn’t excuse incompetence. If you’re going to survive here, learn to run in heels.” He gave her a glance over and flicked one of her folders. The glossy cover flipped open to reveal balance sheets. “Or whatever you wear on your feet. I need these by ten.”
“By nine?” She stammered, checking her watch: 9:37 AM.
He shrugged walking away without glancing at her a second time. “You’ll manage.”
As he swept past, Liora bit her lip. Survive. That was her mantra.
Back home, she was Seraphina “Liora” Quinn: sole heiress to a multibillion-dollar conglomerate back home, now undercover—out of curiosity, rebellion, and a hope that no one would ever suspect.
It was the tyrannical love her dear father hoped she would grow out of.
Her ticking watch reminded her of the handsome man who had just given her a ticking time bomb. 23 minutes.
Liora exhaled, gathered her courage, and dashed to the finance department.
Twenty minutes later, Liora burst in, dropping the files on the manager’s desk.
“Here. Done and dusted.”
He blinked. “That fast?”
She plastered on a strained smile. “I had some...extra motivation.”
He chewed his lip, eyebrows knitting as he spotted her name tag: “Quinn, L. Very quick work.” He handed back the folders. “Good job. But the CEO—”
“Crowne?” Liora finished. “He’s tough.”
“An understatement,” the manager muttered. “Welcome to work life for Sebastian. Are you okay?”
She nodded, then fled back to Sebastian’s office—late.
In the elevator, she pressed 12 for the top floor, fingernails clicking against the metal panel. The doors opened. Wait---
Sebastian?
He stood, arms crossed, foot tapping. The smirk was back. “Trying to impress me, Miss Quinn?”
Liora forced a smile to shine through her nervousness, “Just doing my job sir.”
He stepped aside, letting her enter. The doors shut on her pounding heart.
His office smelled faintly of mahogany and bourbon. He tapped at his phone. “Cancel whatever plans you have tonight.”
Liora’s eyes flew to meet Sebastian eyes which were already watching her with a quizzical look.
He adjusted his look immediately he noticed her stare, “I need someone to go with me to the gala tonight. It’s for an art foundation or something. My associate backed out.”
Liora froze. “Gala?”
“You’ll accompany me. Helps to have an extra pair of competent hands—and eyes.”
“Me? But I—”
“Don’t argue. Dress accordingly.” He leaned back. “I’ll send details.”
“Alright sir.”
As she left, she dared a glance over her shoulder. He was already texting. The corner of his mouth curled into that maddening smirk.
Liora sighed.
He was insufferably handsome.
By midday, whispers rattled: “Liora Quinn at the CEO’s side?” “Must be special.”
Her stomach flipped. Special? Or scandal waiting to happen?
2 PM, she sat in his glass office stiffening as he threw her a stack of invitations.
“Note the seating chart. Ensure the board members are seated between my sister and that hedge-fund shark who hates me.”
She jotted notes, fingers trembling.
“Questions?”
She hesitated. “No, sir.”
He stood. “Good.” He strode past her out the door.
Liora exhaled softly.
Liora’s mind raced skimming her reflection, innocent eyes behind a polished façade, trembling hands hiding decades of fortune. She was still the naive secretary—everyone believed it.
Her phone pinged:
7:45 PM | Sebastian: Meet me in the lobby in twenty. I’ll be wearing black.
Giving one look at the mirror, Liora shaky smile faltered.
She was nothing like the heiress in the couture wears she wore at home, hopefully this dress would be good enough to play its part in her role as Sebastian’s associate.
She walked to the lobby, her breath catching at the sight of Sebastian. Dressed in a perfectly tailored midnight tux, leaning against a column, he looked like a god displeased by mere mortals.
He didn’t look at her. But when she approached, he grabbed her by the elbow and guided her toward the door.
“Your chariot awaits,” he said, his voice low. “Try not to embarrass me.”
She forced a laugh. “I’ll do my best.”
The valet opened a sleek black limousine. Inside, the leather smelled of power. She closed the door. He dropped in beside her. A charged silence crackled.
Then he leaned close, eyes alight, “You look…”
Her stomach dropped. “Yes?”
Sebastian Crowe, her long-time crush was sitting in close proximity to her!
Despite being the heiress of a multi-millionaire conglomerate, she couldn’t catch Sebastian eyes. No-one could. It was literally an open secret how Sebastian despised the ladies of the upper echelon class of society.
Whatever reasons he had, must be deep, for not a single person could change his mind. No lady, regardless of her family’s money, or qualifications, elegance, power or beauty could move the formidable Sebastian Crowe to move outside his normal.
He caught her gaze, “Nothing. “Let’s go.”
The engine purred—and so did something deep in her chest, telling the beginning of a night she’d never forget.
As the car pulled away into the city lights, Liora’s phone buzzed. A single message fro
m an unknown number:
“How long can you hide? I know who you really are.”
- Writer
