OWNED BY MY RUTHLESS BOSS

A DANGEROUS CURIOSITY

Twenty-seven days.

That was how long Elena Montgomery had survived working for Alexander Blackwood.

Almost an entire month.

For an ordinary employee, it would hardly be worth mentioning. But at Blackwood International, surviving twenty-seven days as Alexander’s personal assistant was practically a miracle.

Eleven assistants had come and gone in eight months. Some lasted three days, others barely survived their first morning. Alexander’s ruthless temper and impossible expectations had sent every single one of them running.

Yet Elena remained.

She was officially the longest-serving personal assistant he had ever employed.

And lately, something had changed.

Elena no longer trembled whenever Alexander called her name. She understood his schedule, anticipated his demands, and knew exactly how he preferred everything arranged. She had learned when to speak, when to remain silent, and how to recognize his mood simply by the way he walked into the office.

Alexander had noticed.

What he didn’t understand was why he had begun noticing things that had absolutely nothing to do with her work.

Like how she smiled at the security guards every morning, remembered the cleaning staff’s names, and quietly hummed while organizing documents.

Small, insignificant things.

Things Alexander Blackwood had never cared about before.

When Alexander stepped out of his private elevator, Elena was already sitting at her desk.

Her long brown hair was tied into a loose ponytail, and she wore a cream blouse with black trousers. She was concentrating on her computer when she noticed him approaching.

Elena: “Good morning, Mr. Blackwood.”

Alexander: “Morning.”

She immediately handed him his schedule.

Elena: “Your meeting with Sterling Corporation has been confirmed, sir. The Morrison contract is ready for your signature, and Mr. Harrison requested a callback.”

Alexander examined the document.

Alexander: “Anything else?”

Elena: “Your coffee is ready, sir.”

He glanced toward his office.

Alexander: “Breakfast?”

Elena hesitated.

Elena: “Yes, sir.”

His grey eyes returned to her.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery.”

She already knew what was coming.

Elena: “I know, sir. You told me not to bring breakfast anymore.”

Alexander: “Then why is there breakfast on my desk?”

Elena: “I made too much.”

Alexander stared at her.

Alexander: “Again?”

Elena pressed her lips together, trying not to smile.

Elena: “Apparently, I’m terrible at calculating portions.”

For a moment, Alexander said nothing.

Then one dark eyebrow rose.

Alexander: “You’re becoming rather comfortable making excuses.”

Her cheeks warmed.

Elena: “Only about breakfast, sir.”

Alexander looked at her for another second before walking toward his office.

Alexander: “Get back to work.”

Elena: “Yes, Mr. Blackwood.”

Once his door closed, Elena allowed herself a tiny smile.

Inside, Alexander found a container of homemade French toast, fresh strawberries, and scrambled eggs beside his usual black coffee.

A handwritten note rested underneath the container.

I remembered you preferred your eggs without pepper. Hope you enjoy breakfast, sir.

Alexander picked up the note.

He read it once.

Then again.

Nobody had ever paid this much attention to something as ordinary as his breakfast.

He placed the note beside his laptop and opened the container.

Later, Elena was organizing contracts when Margaret Collins approached her desk.

Margaret: “Elena, I have to ask. What’s your secret?”

Elena looked confused.

Elena: “My secret?”

Margaret: “You’ve survived almost a month with Alexander Blackwood. The previous record was eleven days.”

Elena laughed softly.

Elena: “I don’t think there’s a secret. I’m just trying to understand what he needs.”

Margaret shook her head.

Margaret: “Well, whatever you’re doing, keep doing it. HR is enjoying not having to recruit another assistant.”

Elena smiled, although she knew her position was never completely secure. Alexander could still dismiss her whenever he believed she had failed to meet his expectations.

Before Margaret could continue, Alexander’s office door opened.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery.”

She immediately stood.

Elena: “Yes, sir?”

Alexander: “My office.”

Elena followed him inside, carrying her notebook.

Alexander sat behind his desk and gestured toward the chair opposite him.

Alexander: “Sit.”

She blinked.

He had never asked her to sit before.

Elena: “Thank you, sir.”

Alexander pushed a folder toward her.

Alexander: “Review these figures. Tell me what you notice.”

Elena opened the folder and carefully examined the financial report. She knew better than to rush through anything Alexander considered important, so she compared the figures against the supporting documents.

Several minutes passed.

Alexander continued working while she studied the report. Occasionally, he glanced toward her, noticing the small crease that appeared between her eyebrows whenever she concentrated.

Finally, Elena looked up.

Elena: “Sir, may I ask something?”

Alexander: “Speak.”

Elena: “Why is the projected maintenance cost lower than last quarter when the company is expanding?”

Alexander stopped typing.

Alexander: “Explain.”

Elena turned the folder toward him.

Elena: “If the expansion includes three additional properties, shouldn’t the maintenance budget increase? Unless another department is covering those expenses.”

Alexander examined the figures.

She was right.

The finance department had incorrectly allocated the projected expenses.

Alexander: “Who prepared this report?”

Elena: “The finance department, sir.”

He pressed his intercom.

Alexander: “Daniel. My office. Now.”

Elena immediately straightened.

Elena: “Did I make a mistake?”

Alexander looked at her.

Alexander: “No.”

She appeared relieved.

Alexander: “You found one.”

Elena’s eyes widened.

Elena: “Oh.”

Alexander studied her expression.

Alexander: “Stop looking so surprised whenever you do something correctly.”

A small smile appeared on her lips.

Elena: “I’m still getting used to it, sir.”

For the briefest moment, the corner of Alexander’s mouth almost moved.

Almost.

Then Daniel entered, and his expression returned to its usual coldness.

Alexander: “Explain why my assistant discovered an error your entire department overlooked.”

Daniel examined the report, his face becoming serious.

Daniel: “I’ll investigate immediately, sir.”

Alexander: “You should have investigated before presenting it to me.”

Elena quietly lowered her gaze.

Alexander’s voice remained sharp as he instructed Daniel to have the corrected figures prepared. When Daniel finally left, Alexander returned his attention to Elena.

Alexander: “You may go.”

Elena: “Yes, Mr. Blackwood.”

She gathered her notebook and stood.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery.”

Elena stopped.

Elena: “Yes, sir?”

Alexander: “Good work.”

Her face brightened.

Elena: “Thank you, sir.”

Alexander returned to his laptop before she could say anything else.

During lunch, Elena met Sofia in the cafeteria.

Sofia immediately noticed her friend’s cheerful expression.

Sofia: “Twenty-seven days! We should throw you a party.”

Elena laughed.

Elena: “Please don’t.”

Sofia: “Why not? You’re officially the only woman in Blackwood International who hasn’t run away from that man.”

Elena: “He’s not that terrible.”

Sofia nearly choked on her drink.

Sofia: “Excuse me?”

Elena smiled.

Elena: “He’s difficult, yes. But he’s also very intelligent.”

Sofia stared at her suspiciously.

Sofia: “Elena Montgomery. Are you developing a crush on your boss?”

Elena’s face immediately turned red.

Elena: “What? No!”

Sofia: “You’re blushing!”

Elena: “Because you’re embarrassing me!”

Sofia burst into laughter.

Sofia: “Relax, sweetheart. I’m joking.”

Elena shook her head, still smiling.

Elena: “Mr. Blackwood would probably fire me if he heard this conversation.”

Sofia: “He’d probably fire both of us.”

They laughed together.

But as Elena returned to work, Sofia’s teasing remained in the back of her mind.

Alexander was handsome. Anyone with eyes could see that. His sharp features, broad shoulders, and piercing grey eyes made him impossible to ignore.

But he was her employer.

Nothing more.

And Elena intended to keep it that way.

That afternoon, Isabella Laurent arrived without an appointment.

Elena stood politely.

Elena: “Good afternoon, Miss Laurent.”

Isabella: “Hello, darling. Is Alexander available?”

Elena: “He’s in a meeting, but I can inform him you’re here.”

Isabella examined her.

Isabella: “You know, you’re surprisingly cheerful for someone who works for that man.”

Elena smiled.

Elena: “I enjoy my job.”

Isabella: “How adorable.”

Isabella sat down without waiting for permission.

When Alexander finally emerged from the conference room, she immediately approached him.

Isabella: “Alexander, darling!”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Alexander barely reacted.

Alexander: “What are you doing here?”

Isabella: “I missed you.”

Alexander: “I’m working.”

Isabella pouted.

Isabella: “You’re always working.”

Alexander glanced toward Elena.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery. Cancel my remaining personal appointments.”

Elena: “Of course, sir.”

Isabella frowned.

Isabella: “Personal appointments? What exactly does that mean?”

Alexander: “It means I’m busy.”

He walked into his office without waiting for her.

Isabella followed, clearly irritated.

Elena quietly returned to her computer.

She didn’t feel jealous. Alexander’s personal relationships were none of her business.

But she couldn’t help wondering whether he ever allowed himself to relax. Even when he wasn’t angry, there always seemed to be something weighing on his shoulders.

She quickly dismissed the thought.

It wasn’t her place to worry about him.

The executive floor was nearly empty when Alexander finally emerged from his office.

Elena was still at her desk, carefully arranging documents for the following day.

He stopped beside her.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery.”

She looked up.

Elena: “Yes, sir?”

Alexander: “Why are you still working?”

Elena: “I’m almost finished preparing tomorrow’s schedule.”

Alexander: “Your working hours ended.”

Elena: “I know. I just wanted everything ready.”

Alexander noticed the untouched sandwich beside her keyboard.

Alexander: “Is that your dinner?”

Elena followed his gaze.

Elena: “Oh. Yes, sir.”

Alexander: “You haven’t eaten it.”

Elena: “I was going to.”

His expression hardened.

Alexander: “You spend your mornings preparing breakfast for me, yet apparently can’t find five minutes to eat your own food.”

Elena looked embarrassed.

Elena: “I did eat lunch, sir.”

Alexander: “That wasn’t my question.”

She lowered her eyes.

Elena: “I got distracted.”

Alexander stared at her before reaching toward her keyboard.

He closed the document she was working on.

Elena blinked.

Elena: “Mr. Blackwood?”

Alexander: “Eat.”

Elena: “But—”

Alexander: “That wasn’t a suggestion.”

She hesitated before reaching for her sandwich.

Elena: “Yes, sir.”

Alexander remained standing beside the desk.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Elena looked up.

Elena: “Sir?”

Alexander: “What?”

Elena: “Did you enjoy breakfast?”

He looked at her.

Alexander: “Why?”

Elena: “I was thinking of trying a different recipe next time.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened.

Alexander: “There won’t be a next time.”

Elena smiled faintly.

Elena: “Of course, sir.”

He narrowed his eyes.

Alexander: “You don’t believe me.”

She quickly lowered her gaze.

Elena: “I wouldn’t say that.”

Alexander studied her.

There was something unexpectedly amusing about the way she remained respectful while quietly refusing to be intimidated by him.

Alexander: “The French toast was good.”

Elena looked up immediately.

Elena: “Really?”

Alexander: “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Her face brightened.

Elena: “I’m glad you liked it.”

Alexander looked away.

He couldn’t remember the last time such a simple compliment had made someone genuinely happy.

He checked his watch.

Alexander: “Finish eating. Then go home.”

Elena: “Yes, Mr. Blackwood.”

He began walking toward the elevator.

Elena: “Sir?”

Alexander stopped.

Alexander: “What now?”

Elena smiled warmly.

Elena: “Have a good evening.”

For a moment, he simply looked at her.

Most employees wished him a good evening because they were expected to.

Elena sounded as though she genuinely meant it.

Alexander: “Good night, Miss Montgomery.”

Then he entered the elevator.

As the doors closed, Alexander found himself remembering her smile.

Not because he wanted her.

Not because he was falling in love.

But because Elena Montgomery was slowly becoming someone whose presence he noticed.

And whose absence, although he hadn’t realized it yet, might become considerably harder to ignore.