Stella sat on the couch, fully dressed for work, her fingers drumming absentmindedly against her lap. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter—she had been selected for Protego Industries. It should have felt like an accomplishment, a step forward. Instead, a familiar ache weighed on her chest.
Mallory's words echoed in the back of her mind, sharp and unwavering.
"Simon is dead, and that is not Simon."
Last night, after performing both spells, Mallory had delivered the verdict Stella had dreaded. No trace of magic, no lingering soul, no supernatural anomaly. Just a man with Simon's face—but not Simon.
Stella sighed, pressing her fingers against her temples. She had cursed herself for hoping, for letting the past claw its way back into her heart. Yet, no matter how much time passed, the pain never dulled.
Her gaze dropped to the diamond ring still wrapped around her finger—a silent promise, a ghost of a life she refused to let go of. She ran her thumb over the smooth band and smiled wistfully.
"I will always be waiting," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Steeling herself, she stood and grabbed her bag before heading out.
Sliding into her car, she gripped the steering wheel and took a deep breath. Every year, she applied to Black Stone Industries, hoping for a chance—hoping to be closer to the place Simon once belonged to. And every year, she had been rejected without a single response.
What she didn't know was that her applications had never even reached them.
Nora had blacklisted her, ensuring that no email, no request, no resume from Stella Parker ever made it past the company's firewall. Black Stone Industries had been her dream, her last desperate tether to Simon.
And Nora had buried it before she ever had a chance.
Stella exhaled slowly, steadying herself as she adjusted the neatly stacked files on her desk. Her first day as a manager had gone better than she expected. The weight of responsibility settled comfortably on her shoulders as she reviewed the latest statistics, analyzing data and refining the reports. She had already negotiated a few minor deals and familiarized herself with her team—most of whom had welcomed her warmly.
As the workday came to an end, Stella gathered her things, ready to leave when a woman approached her with a confident stride.
"Hi, I'm Eden," the woman introduced herself, her voice smooth yet authoritative.
Stella looked up, offering a polite smile. "Stella. It's nice to meet you."
Eden's lips curled into a knowing smile. "So, how was your first day?"
"It was great," Stella replied, nodding. "Challenging but exciting."
"Good to hear. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask me. I'm the CEO's secretary," Eden said casually, yet there was an unmistakable pride in her tone.
Stella's brows lifted slightly. "Wow, I didn't realize I was speaking to one of the most powerful women in the company."
Eden chuckled, clearly amused. "I like you, Stella. You'll do well here." She gave Stella a quick nod before heading off, her presence lingering even after she was gone.
Stella watched her leave, a small smile playing on her lips.
Two months had passed since Stella started working at Protego Industries, and she had enjoyed every second of it. The fast-paced environment, the sense of accomplishment after closing a deal, and the camaraderie she had built with her colleagues made every day feel rewarding.
Eden sat in the dimly lit office, her sharp gaze fixed on Mark, the CEO of their company. Frustration tightened her jaw as she tried to contain the growing sense of dread clawing at her chest.
"Boss, you can't sell the company," she said, her voice edged with desperation.
Mark let out a weary sigh, rubbing his wrinkled forehead. "The stats are plummeting, Eden. We don't have the kind of innovative minds we need, and the shares are crumbling. I got a call from the bank yesterday. If I don't sell, we'll be drowning in debt."
Eden clenched her fists. "What about the shares? There has to be another way."
Mark shook his head. "Every major shareholder is pulling out, and we both know why. There's nothing left to salvage. I have no choice." His voice held a finality that sent a chill down Eden's spine.
"I've spent years building this company, and I've earned enough," he continued, glancing around his office one last time. "I'm tired, Eden."
Her heart pounded. "And the employees? What happens to them?"
"The new CEO will deal with it." Mark's tone was indifferent as he gathered his belongings. Without another word, he walked out, leaving Eden alone in the silence, the weight of his decision settling heavily on her shoulders.
For years, Protego and Black Stone had been locked in a relentless battle, two titans competing for dominance. But no matter how hard Protego fought, Black Stone always stayed ahead, untouchable. Then, three months ago, Simon Winchester stepped into the light. No longer a name whispered behind closed doors, no longer an enigma lurking in the shadows—he was now the most recognized and feared businessman in the industry. Protego had foolishly thought they were gaining an edge, that maybe, just maybe, they were about to turn the tide.
Simon proved them wrong.
Eden stormed after Mark, her heels clicking sharply against the cold marble floors. Her pulse raced, frustration bubbling beneath her skin. She caught up just as he reached the elevator.
"Is he the one buying the company?" she demanded, voice tight.
Mark stopped but didn't turn immediately. He exhaled, his shoulders sagging under the weight of defeat. "Yes."
Eden's stomach twisted. "Why? He already owns an empire. What could he possibly want with us?"
Mark let out a short, humorless chuckle, finally turning to face her. The deep lines on his forehead seemed more pronounced, his usually sharp eyes dull with exhaustion. "Because Simon Winchester doesn't compete—he conquers."
Eden clenched her fists. "We're not even real competition for him. We barely scratched the surface."
Mark nodded. "Exactly. And that's the problem. He doesn't like loose ends, Eden. He doesn't like potential competition. He doesn't just win—he eliminates anything that might one day stand in his way." He ran a hand through his thinning hair. "And the worst part? This isn't even business for him. He's not doing this because he feels threatened. He's doing it because he's bored. Because he can."
The words hung between them, heavy and suffocating.
Mark shook his head. "We were nothing more than a piece on his board. And now, we're being wiped off it." He turned away, stepping into the elevator without another word.
Eden watched the doors slide shut, her heart pounding. This wasn't just bad news—this was a disaster.
She exhaled slowly, bracing herself.
"This is going to be a nightmare," she muttered under her breath, before walking away.