HIS FORBIDDEN HEIR

BREAKING HIS RULE

Adrian Blackwell never wasted words. Especially not words of praise. Compliments were currency in his world, expensive, dangerous, easily devalued if handed out carelessly. He had built his empire by setting impossibly high standards, by ensuring those around him never mistook approval for leniency.

So why had he told Elena Rivera she had done good work?

He leaned back in his chair, staring at the city skyline bleeding gold with the setting sun. The question unsettled him. He didn’t break his own rules. Ever.

When the file came across his desk, he’d noticed the name immediately. Rivera. Her work stood out not just because it was thorough, but because it carried an attention to detail that was rare in Blackwell Enterprises. Every cross-check had been made, every inconsistency highlighted. It wasn’t perfection, not yet, but it was earnest. Genuine. That mattered more than he liked to admit.

He could have easily summoned her manager to deliver the file. That would have been the logical choice, the safe one. Instead, without thinking, he had instructed Mrs. Grant to make sure Elena herself brought it to him.

Adrian’s lips twitched faintly at the memory of Mrs Grant’s shock. The poor woman had nearly dropped her tablet when he relayed the order. No doubt the entire office floor would be buzzing with rumors by now. The ice-cold CEO, requesting a temp worker by name? It was absurd. Out of character. And yet, Adrian had done it anyway.

When she stepped into his office, the air had shifted. She looked nervous, yes, but not broken. Her posture betrayed unease, but her eyes…her eyes met his directly, even as she stumbled over her words. That was what intrigued him. Most people wilted under his gaze, but she was awkward, clumsy, inexperienced and hadn’t flinched.

Then came the impulse he still couldn’t explain.

“You’ve done good work.”

Four simple words. He could see the disbelief flicker across her face, could feel the room stiffen as Daniel froze near the door. For a fleeting moment, Adrian almost regretted saying them. It wasn’t in his nature to hand out reassurance. Praise bred complacency.

But Elena’s reaction wasn’t complacent. It was a shock. Genuine, unpolished shock. And then gratitude raw, unguarded, without calculation.

It struck him harder than it should have.

Adrian rose from his chair now, pacing toward the window. Below, the city moved like an organism, people scurrying about their lives, unaware of the man watching from above. He controlled all of it contracts, numbers, power plays. But Elena Rivera? He didn’t control her.

That was what unsettled him the most.

He remembered the bar again. How she had collided with him, nearly knocking her drink to the floor. He had been prepared for the usual routine: the flirty apology, the desperate attempt to attract his attention, the simpering laugh. But Elena had given him none of that. She had stammered, blushed furiously, and then fled as though she couldn’t care less who he was.

It had been…refreshing. Infuriating, but refreshing.

Adrian ran a hand through his hair, shaking off the thought. He had no time for distractions, especially not ones in the form of temporary employees who wore determination like armor and tripped over their own shoelaces. He should have dismissed her from his mind the moment she left his office.

But he hadn’t.

The knock at his door broke his thoughts. Daniel stepped in cautiously, as though testing the air. “Sir, the Singapore reports are ready.” Shall I leave them here?

Adrian turned. “Yes.”

Daniel hesitated, lingering a moment too long. “If I may…” His voice faltered under Adrian’s glare, but he continued. “I’ve worked here six years, and I’ve never once heard you compliment anyone’s work.” Not even the executives. And today you well…

Adrian’s expression hardened. “Are you questioning me, Daniel?”

The assistant paled. “No, sir.” Of course not. Just…curious.”

Adrian let the silence stretch until Daniel shifted uncomfortably. Then he spoke, his voice cold and final. “Curiosity can be dangerous.” Focus on your work.

“Yes, sir.” Daniel retreated quickly, the door clicking shut behind him.

Adrian exhaled slowly. The man wasn’t wrong. He had broken his own rule. And worse, people had noticed.

This couldn’t continue.

Adrian returned to his desk, forcing his attention back to the reports. But as his eyes skimmed numbers and graphs, his mind betrayed him, conjuring instead the image of Elena’s flushed cheeks and startled eyes when he praised her. That look of unfiltered surprise. That flicker of vulnerability.

Adrian Blackwood didn’t give compliments. He didn’t notice temporary employees. He didn’t care.

And yet, somehow, against all reason…he did.