my boss wants me at all cost

Chapter Six: His Reputation

The next morning, Chloe was back on the executive floor — her uniform freshly ironed, her nerves barely holding together.

The ride home with Klein still played in her mind like a slow movie. His voice. The way he looked at her in the car. The quiet tension between them. It felt like something had shifted.

And yet… nothing had been said out loud.

No promises. No confessions. Just silent sparks in the middle of a storm.

Chloe sighed as she wiped the windows, trying to stay busy.

But of course, she wasn’t alone for long.

“New girl,” a sharp voice called from behind her.

Chloe turned and saw a petite woman in heels and a tight gray suit walking toward her, holding a tablet. Her badge read Emily | Executive Assistant.

“Yes?” Chloe asked politely.

Emily narrowed her eyes. “I’ve been working here for six years, and I’ve seen dozens of pretty girls like you come and go.”

Chloe frowned. “Excuse me?”

“I’m just saying, don’t get too comfortable. Mr. Carter doesn’t do long-term, especially not with employees.”

Chloe blinked, stunned. “There’s nothing going on between us.”

Emily smirked. “Sure. Keep telling yourself that.”

Before Chloe could reply, Emily turned on her heels and walked off like she owned the hallway.

Heat rushed up Chloe’s neck. Was this what everyone thought? That she was just some fling waiting to happen?

She didn’t even know what she was to Klein — if anything at all.

“Don’t mind her.”

Chloe spun around. Lisa, one of the older janitors, stood nearby with her mop bucket.

“She’s been bitter ever since Klein stopped looking her way,” Lisa added with a wink.

Chloe sighed. “Does everyone here gossip like this?”

Lisa chuckled. “Honey, this is a billion-dollar company. Gossip is cheaper than coffee. And Klein Carter? He’s the main headline every week.”

“What do you mean?”

Lisa lowered her voice. “He’s got a reputation. Cold, ruthless, workaholic. But when it comes to women... he keeps things private. Real private. But every now and then, someone slips. A secretary. A PR intern. Even one of the stylists who did his photoshoot once.”

Chloe’s heart sank.

“So I’m just another story waiting to happen.”

Lisa looked at her kindly. “Not necessarily. He’s never assigned one of us to the executive floor. That’s a first. And he sure never looked at anyone like the way he looks at you.”

Chloe didn’t know what to say.

All she knew was that she had to be careful.

Because if Klein Carter was dangerous with his power…

Then he was ten times more dangerous with his heart.