Isabella refused to let him win.
Ethan Lancaster might have power. He might have wealth. He might have influence.
But she wasn't going to let him control her.
She spent the next morning at the firm, trying to act as if everything was normal, even though the weight of Ethan's threat lingered in her mind.
Her boss had reassured her that she wasn't being removed from her projects—at least not yet. But she knew it was only a matter of time before Ethan forced his hand.
She had to stop this.
And there was only one way to do it.
That evening, Isabella found herself standing in front of the Lancaster Corporation's headquarters.
The towering glass building loomed over her, a symbol of everything Ethan controlled.
Her heart pounded as she stepped inside.
The receptionist looked up, eyes widening in recognition. "Miss Reed?"
She forced a smile. "I'm here to see Mr. Lancaster."
The receptionist hesitated. "Do you have an appointment?"
"No," she said, lifting her chin. "But I doubt he'll turn me away."
The receptionist's lips pressed together, but after a moment, she picked up the phone.
Isabella couldn't hear what was said, but after a brief exchange, the receptionist nodded.
"Take the elevator to the top floor. He's expecting you."
Of course, he was.
The elevator doors opened into a sleek office space. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, the skyline glowing against the night.
And there, standing by the window, was Ethan.
He turned slowly, his dark gaze locking onto her.
"You came."
His voice was smooth, controlled. As if he had known she would.
Isabella stepped forward, keeping her chin high. "We need to talk."
Ethan's lips curled into a slow smirk. "I assumed as much."
She crossed her arms. "You need to stop."
His expression didn't change. "Stop what?"
Her teeth clenched. "You know exactly what. My job. My life. You don't get to control it."
Ethan took a step closer. "I disagree."
She exhaled sharply. "You're insane."
He reached up, brushing a lock of hair from her face. She flinched, but he didn't stop.
"I told you, Isabella," he murmured. "You belong to me."
Her pulse pounded.
She needed to be firm.
"I am not yours," she said.
Ethan's smirk disappeared. His eyes darkened, his hand tightening slightly.
"Say it again," he whispered.
Her throat went dry.
He was daring her.
She had never felt more trapped.
But she wouldn't let him win.
"I am not yours."
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then, Ethan exhaled slowly. His grip loosened, his fingers trailing down her jaw before finally falling away.
"Go home, Isabella."
She hesitated.
"Now," he said, voice sharp.
Her stomach twisted.
Ethan Lancaster had just let her win.
But something told her the battle was far from over.
The next day, Isabella arrived at work, determined to push past everything.
But the moment she stepped into her office, she knew something was wrong.
People whispered as she walked by. Her co-workers exchanged looks.
Then, she saw the email.
Her breath caught as she clicked on it.
Effective immediately, her employment was terminated.
Her hands trembled.
"No," she whispered.
This couldn't be happening.
But as she read further, she saw the truth.
The board had suddenly decided to "restructure."
And she was one of the casualties.
The board had changed their minds.
But she knew the truth.
Ethan had done this.
And this time, he hadn't bothered to hide it.
Fury burned in her veins.
He thought he could control her life?
She wouldn't let him.
Ethan Lancaster might have his rules.
But it was time for her to break them.
That night, Isabella found herself at a bar downtown, gripping a glass of whiskey as she tried to drown out the reality of her situation.
She had spent years building her career.
And with a single snap of his fingers, Ethan had destroyed it.
She should be afraid.
But right now, all she felt was anger.
"Rough night?"
A deep voice pulled her from her thoughts.
She turned, meeting the gaze of a man sitting beside her.
He was tall, with sharp features and a confident smirk.
"I've had worse," she muttered.
The man chuckled. "Care to share?"
She hesitated, but then, what did she have to lose?
"Just a run-in with a controlling bastard who thinks he owns the world."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a real piece of work."
"You have no idea," she muttered, taking another sip.
The man studied her for a moment, then extended his hand.
"Damien."
She hesitated before shaking it. "Isabella."
He smiled. "Well, Isabella, what if I told you I know exactly what it's like to go up against men like that?"
She tilted her head. "Oh?"
His smile widened. "Let's just say I have my own reasons for wanting to take a man like that down."
For the first time that night, Isabella felt something shift.
Maybe she wasn't as powerless as she thought.
Maybe she had just found her first ally.
And maybe, just maybe…
Ethan Lancaster was about to learn what happened when a man pushed a woman too far.