OWNED BY MY RUTHLESS BOSS

The Man Behind the Cold Eyes

Elena Montgomery had no idea that her employer had overheard her conversation in the restroom. As far as she was concerned, Alexander Blackwood remained the same terrifying billionaire who could destroy someone’s confidence with a single sentence. She was simply relieved that he hadn’t fired her after the embarrassing incident involving Isabella.

Back at her desk, Elena concentrated on organizing the documents for the upcoming board meeting. She checked every attachment, reviewed each appointment, and carefully arranged the folders according to priority. She had learned that Alexander hated unnecessary questions, but he hated mistakes even more. Therefore, she decided that double-checking everything was the safest way to survive.

Her phone vibrated beside her keyboard.

Sofia: “Lunch tomorrow? And don’t tell me your handsome devil is keeping you hostage again.”

Elena smiled before typing her response.

Elena: “He’s not handsome. He’s terrifying.”

Sofia: “You didn’t deny he’s handsome.”

Elena: “SOFIA!”

She was still smiling when the intercom suddenly buzzed. Her expression changed immediately, and she hurriedly placed her phone facedown.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery. My office.”

Elena: “Right away, sir.”

Elena grabbed her notebook and approached the enormous black doors. After knocking and receiving permission, she stepped inside. Alexander was standing near the floor-to-ceiling windows, speaking on his phone while looking down at the city. His black suit fitted his broad shoulders perfectly, and his expression was as cold as ever.

He ended the call and turned toward her.

Alexander: “Tomorrow, we’re meeting with representatives from Sterling Corporation. I want every document prepared, every financial figure verified, and the conference room ready before they arrive.”

Elena: “Yes, Mr. Blackwood.”

Alexander: “You’ll attend the meeting.”

Elena blinked, surprised.

Elena: “Me, sir?”

Alexander’s eyebrows drew together.

Alexander: “Is there another Miss Montgomery standing behind you?”

Her cheeks immediately turned pink.

Elena: “No, sir. I just wasn’t expecting to attend.”

Alexander: “You’re my assistant. Start behaving like one.”

Elena quickly wrote down his instructions. Alexander watched her for a moment, noticing how carefully she recorded every detail. Her handwriting was neat, and she listened without interrupting.

Alexander: “You’ll take notes, organize the documents, and remain silent unless I address you. Understood?”

Elena: “Yes, sir.”

Alexander: “And wear something appropriate. Sterling’s representatives are important clients.”

Elena instinctively glanced down at her blouse and trousers. She knew her clothing wasn’t expensive, but she had always tried to look professional.

Elena: “Of course, Mr. Blackwood.”

Alexander noticed the movement of her eyes but offered no explanation. Instead, he returned to his desk and opened another document.

Alexander: “Dismissed.”

Elena quietly left, closing the door behind her. She was beginning to understand that Alexander didn’t consider conversations finished until he decided they were finished. Sometimes she wondered whether he even remembered that other people had feelings.

Inside his office, Alexander stared at the closed door longer than necessary.

He remembered the conversation from the restroom.

I don’t think it’s right to judge someone only by their worst moments.

It was a foolishly innocent thing to say, especially about someone like him. Alexander knew exactly what kind of man he was. He had built his reputation through ruthless decisions, aggressive negotiations, and an absolute refusal to tolerate weakness. He didn’t need an inexperienced assistant defending his character.

Yet she had done precisely that.

He picked up his phone and returned to work, irritated that such an insignificant conversation had remained in his thoughts.

The following morning, Elena arrived at Blackwood Tower wearing a navy blouse, black trousers, and a pair of modest heels. She had spent far too long choosing her outfit, worried that Alexander might consider it inappropriate for the meeting. Sofia had reassured her repeatedly, but Elena still felt nervous as they entered the building together.

Sofia: “You look beautiful. Stop checking your clothes.”

Elena: “He specifically told me to dress appropriately.”

Sofia rolled her eyes.

Sofia: “And you did. You’re dressed for a business meeting, not a nightclub.”

Elena laughed softly, although her nervousness remained. She had never attended a meeting involving executives from two major corporations, and the possibility of embarrassing herself in front of Alexander made her stomach twist.

Sofia: “Just remember, he’s your boss, not God. He can’t expect perfection every second.”

Elena: “I think he does.”

Sofia: “Then someone should inform him that he’s human.”

The elevator doors opened before Elena could respond. She hugged Sofia quickly and hurried toward the executive department, determined to arrive before Alexander.

Unfortunately, he was already there.

Alexander stood outside his office, examining a document while Daniel, one of the senior executives, explained something beside him. Both men turned when Elena approached.

Elena: “Good morning, Mr. Blackwood.”

Alexander glanced at her.

Alexander: “You’re late.”

Elena’s smile disappeared.

Elena: “Sir? I arrived before my scheduled starting time.”

Alexander: “The meeting preparations should already be completed.”

Elena: “Yes, sir. I prepared everything yesterday, and I was going to check the conference room again.”

Alexander studied her briefly.

Alexander: “Then stop standing here.”

Elena immediately hurried away. Daniel watched her disappear down the corridor before turning toward Alexander with a faintly amused expression.

Daniel: “She’s certainly different from your previous assistants.”

Alexander didn’t look at him.

Alexander: “Focus on the meeting.”

Daniel wisely remained silent.

The conference room was magnificent, with an enormous polished table surrounded by expensive leather chairs. Elena carefully arranged the documents, checked the presentation equipment, and placed bottled water beside each seat. She reviewed the guest list several times, ensuring that every representative had the correct materials.

When Alexander entered with the Sterling executives, Elena stood immediately. She greeted the visitors politely and guided them toward their seats before taking her position near the end of the table.

The meeting began smoothly.

Alexander spoke with absolute confidence, discussing investment projections and expansion strategies without once consulting his notes. His voice was calm but commanding, and Elena noticed how carefully the other executives listened whenever he spoke.

For the first time, she understood why people respected him despite his frightening personality.

He was extraordinarily intelligent.

Every question received an immediate answer. Every objection was met with detailed financial reasoning, and every attempt to challenge his position ended with the opposing executive reconsidering their argument.

Elena quietly recorded the discussion, occasionally glancing toward Alexander as he addressed the room.

Then one of Sterling’s representatives, Mr. Collins, opened the financial report.

Mr. Collins: “Mr. Blackwood, there’s something I’d like to clarify. These projected figures don’t match the previous proposal.”

Alexander’s expression hardened.

Alexander: “Which figures?”

Mr. Collins pointed toward the document.

Mr. Collins: “The development costs. Your previous proposal listed a considerably lower amount.”

Alexander extended his hand.

Alexander: “Let me see.”

Elena watched nervously as he examined the page. She remembered checking those documents herself, and the thought that she might have overlooked something made her stomach tighten.

Alexander turned toward her.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery. The revised financial report.”

Elena immediately opened her folder and searched through the documents. Her fingers trembled slightly, but she found the correct report and handed it to him.

Elena: “Here, sir.”

Alexander examined the figures before placing the report in front of Mr. Collins.

Alexander: “You’re comparing the original development estimate with the revised proposal. The additional amount covers the expansion of the eastern property.”

Mr. Collins studied the document.

Mr. Collins: “I see. My apologies.”

Alexander: “Next time, review the correct proposal before questioning my figures.”

The room became uncomfortably quiet.

Elena lowered her gaze, grateful that she wasn’t the person receiving Alexander’s criticism. The meeting continued, and she concentrated on recording every important decision.

When the executives finally departed, Elena began gathering the documents. She was relieved that nothing had gone wrong with her responsibilities.

Alexander remained seated, reviewing his notes.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery.”

She immediately looked up.

Elena: “Yes, sir?”

Alexander: “The meeting minutes. I want them on my desk before you leave.”

Elena: “Of course, Mr. Blackwood.”

He closed his folder.

Alexander: “Your preparation was acceptable.”

Elena froze.

Acceptable?

Coming from Alexander Blackwood, that sounded suspiciously close to a compliment.

A small smile appeared on her face.

Elena: “Thank you, sir.”

Alexander noticed her reaction. He hadn’t praised her, merely acknowledged that she had completed a basic responsibility correctly. Yet she looked genuinely pleased.

Alexander: “Don’t look so happy. Acceptable doesn’t mean impressive.”

Her smile immediately faded.

Elena: “Yes, sir.”

Alexander stood and walked toward the door. Before leaving, he glanced back at her.

Alexander: “And Miss Montgomery?”

Elena: “Yes?”

Alexander: “You handled the documents correctly.”

Elena blinked in surprise.

Elena: “Thank you, Mr. Blackwood.”

He gave a slight nod before leaving.

For several seconds, Elena stood motionless in the empty conference room. Alexander Blackwood had actually acknowledged something she’d done well.

Perhaps surviving this job wasn’t entirely impossible.

Later, Alexander sat alone in his office when Daniel entered carrying another folder.

Daniel: “The Sterling representatives seemed satisfied.”

Alexander: “They should be.”

Daniel placed the folder on the desk, then hesitated.

Daniel: “Your new assistant did well today.”

Alexander continued reading.

Alexander: “She performed her responsibilities.”

Daniel: “Which is more than I can say for the last few.”

Alexander finally looked up.

Alexander: “Do you have something useful to discuss, Daniel?”

Daniel smiled faintly.

Daniel: “Just making an observation.”

Alexander returned his attention to the document, clearly dismissing the conversation. Daniel understood the signal and headed toward the door.

After he left, Alexander glanced through the glass wall separating his office from the executive department. Elena was sitting at her desk, concentrating on her computer while occasionally consulting the notebook beside her.

She looked completely ordinary.

A shy young woman with soft features, a curvy figure, and an almost irritating habit of apologizing for everything.

Nothing about her should have interested him.

Yet he remembered her words from the restroom, and he remembered the genuine happiness on her face when he’d acknowledged her work.

Alexander leaned back in his chair.

He wasn’t attracted to her. He wasn’t concerned about her personal life, and he certainly wasn’t developing feelings for an employee.

But he was beginning to understand something.

Elena Montgomery wasn’t pretending to be kind.

She simply was.

And in Alexander Blackwood’s world, genuine kindness was considerably rarer than money.