Hayden’s POV
The office floor was nearly empty. The hum of the air conditioning was the only sound breaking the silence as I sat at my desk, waiting.
I wasn’t sure why I felt so nervous. Maybe it was because everything had changed so fast. One moment, Sal was just my friend—the easygoing, kind guy I shared lunch with. And the next, he was *Silas Blackwood*, the powerful and mysterious CEO of Blackwood Industries.
I’d spent the whole day trying to process it, but now… now I just wanted answers.
Then, the security sweep started.
A few broad-shouldered men moved through the office, scanning everything with sharp, unreadable gazes. They didn’t acknowledge me, but their presence only made my unease grow.
And then, Silas walked in.
He was in his usual relaxed posture. He stood
