Tangled in Power

The venue was nothing short of breathtaking—an exclusive, members-only lounge hidden in the heart of the city. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over the polished marble floors, and the air was thick with the scent of expensive cigars and aged whiskey. The kind of place where deals worth billions were made over a single drink.

Sabrina adjusted the sleek black dress she had chosen for the evening, its elegant design both professional and alluring. Nathaniel had given her little instruction other than "Don't embarrass me." That alone told her everything—this wasn't just about business. It was about proving herself.

Nathaniel walked beside her, exuding his usual aura of control. He had that effortless confidence that made people pay attention without him even speaking. He placed a hand at the small of her back as they entered, his touch brief but commanding.

"Stay close," he murmured.

Sabrina didn't argue.

At the far end of the lounge, a man was already waiting for them. He was older, perhaps in his fifties, dressed in a tailored suit that screamed old money. His sharp gaze flicked to Sabrina before settling on Nathaniel with a knowing smirk.

"Nathaniel Knight," the man drawled, swirling his whiskey. "Still bringing new faces into the lion's den, I see."

"James Ashford," Nathaniel greeted smoothly, sliding into the chair opposite him. "Still pretending to be relevant?"

Sabrina hid her surprise. The tension between them was immediate. Ashford wasn't just an investor—he was a rival.

Ashford chuckled, his eyes gleaming. "And who is this?" He turned to Sabrina. "A new pet?"

Sabrina's fingers clenched beneath the table, but she kept her expression unreadable.

Nathaniel's smirk didn't falter. "Sabrina doesn't need an introduction. She's here because she's more competent than half the men in this room."

Ashford raised an eyebrow. "That so?" His gaze lingered on her, assessing. "Then let's see if she can handle a real conversation."

Sabrina held his stare, refusing to be intimidated. "I can handle a lot more than that, Mr. Ashford. But I doubt you have anything interesting to say."

Nathaniel's lips twitched, just slightly.

Ashford barked out a laugh. "I like her. Feisty."

The conversation shifted to business, and Sabrina listened carefully. The deal at hand was a power move—Nathaniel wanted to secure an exclusive partnership that would expand Knight Industries' influence overseas. But Ashford was playing hard to get, throwing in veiled threats about other competitors.

Sabrina could see the game. Ashford wasn't here to negotiate; he was here to test Nathaniel's limits.

Nathaniel leaned back, his expression unreadable. "You talk a lot, James. But you're running out of time."

Ashford smirked. "And why's that?"

Sabrina spoke before she could stop herself. "Because while you're here trying to play games, Knight Industries has already started negotiations with someone who actually matters."

Ashford's amusement faltered, just for a second.

Nathaniel glanced at her, something unreadable in his eyes. Approval? Amusement? Something else entirely?

Ashford exhaled sharply, then laughed. "I see why you brought her." He downed the rest of his drink and stood. "Fine, Knight. Have your deal. But if she's wrong, it's your head."

Nathaniel didn't even flinch. "She's not wrong."

Ashford shook his head, saying something under his breath, and walked away

The moment he was gone, Sabrina turned to Nathaniel. "I took a risk."

Nathaniel smirked. "And it paid off." He stood, his voice dropping slightly. "I underestimated you, Sabrina."

As they walked out of the lounge, she realized something.

She had just stepped deeper into Nathaniel Knight's world.

And there was no turning back.