**CHAPTER FOUR** As I step into the grand foyer of King Plaza, a familiar pang of déjà vu washes over me. The atmosphere is charged with a sense of unspoken power, echoing the larger-than-life ambitions that swirled around me the last time I was here. The security guard behind the desk is new, his demeanor friendly yet professional as he changes gears in anticipation of my arrival. “Hello! I’m Chloe Callahan. I’m here to start my first day with the King Group,” I announce, forcing a confident smile despite my racing heartbeat. He taps away at his computer, casting me a quick grin. “Welcome aboard! You’ll want to head up to the fifty-third floor. Give me a moment; I’ll call ahead to ensure someone’s there to greet you. Then I’ll send you up.” With a brisk motion, he picks up the phone and speaks to someone on the other end. Moments later, he guides me toward the elevators, waiting beside me as the doors slide open with a soft chime. “After you,” he gestures, swiping a card against the scanner as I step into the sleek cabin of glass and steel. He presses the button for the fifty-third floor, and I turn to him with a grateful nod. “Thank you,” I say, trying to mask the tension that clings to me like a second skin. His wink as the doors glide shut leaves me unsure if my enthusiasm is convincing. As the elevator rises in silence, I inhale deeply, steadied by memories of my past jobs. Yes, this place exudes an air of grandeur that dwarfs my former workplace, but the core of my mission remains the same: work diligently, keep everything organized, uphold professionalism. So why does unease ripple through me? With a gentle chime, the elevator reaches its destination, and the doors part to reveal a stunning auburn-haired woman waiting by the exit. Her hazel eyes glimmer with warmth, accentuated by her beaming smile. “You must be Chloe. I’m Sophie Emerson, Tate King’s assistant.” As she extends her hand, I seize the opportunity to latch onto her friendly energy, feeling my nerves begin to ease. “Pleased to meet you,” I reply, shaking her hand firmly. "I'll show you around and get you set up today," she says, glancing at her watch. "Let’s head to your desk first, then we’ll grab your security pass and ensure all your accounts are ready to go." With a sense of urgency, she leads the way, her longer legs allowing her to move briskly. I clutch my bag tightly, trying to match her pace, and falter slightly. “Sorry!” she laughs, slowing down to accommodate my shorter stride. “You’ll get used to the pace around here.” “It’s that hectic?” I ask, my curiosity piqued. She grimaces, but there’s a lightness to it. “Always. But honestly, I love it. The work is diverse, the energy in the office is contagious, and Tate is pretty laid-back.” “What about Roman?” I venture cautiously. A playful grimace flickers across her face, as she glances at me with a mix of amusement and caution. “Uh, well…” I chuckle, sensing a story. “That’s okay. When I met him, he didn’t seem like the easygoing type at all.” “Not exactly as relaxed as Tate,” she confirms, her grin teasing. Her warmth is a balm against my anxiety, and we continue our brisk walk. As we round a corner, she pauses and gestures toward a sleek workstation. “This is yours.” I nod, eyes drifting toward a majestic mahogany door set against a frosted glass wall across the hall. “And that’s Roman’s office.” The door looms before me, and a jolt of recognition shoots through me. I remember our encounter in the elevator—the intensity of his gaze—and a swarm of butterflies ignites within me. With disquieting resolve, I shake off the moment's gravity. He’s my boss, not a romantic interest. Sophie motions for me to leave my belongings at the desk. “I’ll grab your pass now.” Once my bag is stowed away, we dart through the corridors and return half an hour later. The security pass clips comfortably to my waistband, and under my arm rests a gleaming tablet, complete with a sheet of paper detailing my new passwords. As I log into my computer, Sophie leans over my shoulder, guiding me through the essentials I’ll need to navigate. Just as I’m about to access my inbox, a tall, dark figure approaches with an air of authority that demands attention. Roman strides in, his perfectly tailored suit accentuating those broad shoulders. The moment he locks eyes with me, I feel a twist in my gut. He halts just inches away, a deep line appearing between his dark brows. “What’s she doing here?” he barks, staring directly at Sophie but keeping me fixed in his icy gaze. My spine stiffens at his rudeness. Sure, he’s undeniably handsome, but that doesn’t excuse his attitude. Sophie looks flustered, darting between us. “Um, this is Chloe Callahan. She’s your new executive assistant.” His jaw tenses, and his expression hardens. “No, she’s not.” A cold wave washes over me as I process his words. “What do you mean?” I stammer. As he strides forward, his piercing gaze sharpens on me. “I’m afraid Lena made a mistake when she hired you, Miss Callahan. You’re simply not the right fit for this position.” His attention shifts back to Sophie. “Please call the agency and notify them of the misunderstanding. There’s no fault on Miss Callahan’s part.” “Wait,” I interject, my heart pounding vehemently in my chest. “What do you mean I’m not the right fit?” Roman raises an eyebrow, clearly not accustomed to being challenged. I know it might be wiser to remain silent, but with my job hanging in the balance, I can’t just let this slip away. “We need someone with more experience,” he retorts, his jaw tight. “This role demands a seasoned professional capable of managing business operations and interacting with clients who wield more power than they know what to do with.” I suppress a frustrated snort, knowing better than to share my thoughts on his own inflated sense of self-importance. “As I mentioned,” he continues, irritation creeping into his tone, “Sophie will call the agency and—” “No!” I cut him off sharply, refusing to concede defeat. “I may be young, but that doesn’t mean I’m incapable. I’ve worked as an executive assistant for three years, and while my last job wasn’t as expansive as King Group, it was certainly high-pressure, and I thrived in that environment. You have no valid reason to dismiss my capabilities. Lena clearly believed in me.” Sophie observes the exchange in stunned silence, her mouth agape. Roman narrows his eyes, seemingly unfazed. “Miss Callahan, I’m not questioning your abilities. I’m simply telling you that you’re not suitable for this specific position. I apologize for the inconvenience, but the sooner Sophie can contact the agency, the better.” Before he can retreat to his office, I surge forward, my heart racing. “Give me until the end of today, and I’ll prove I can do it.” He turns slowly, his handsome features inscrutable as he studies me, and I hold his gaze, my breath suspended in anticipation of his reaction. Will he dismiss me? After what feels like an eternity, he rubs his chin and nods slowly. “Very well, Miss Callahan. Let’s see if you can impress me.” Without another word, he strides into his office, leaving me reeling in the aftermath of our confrontation. The battle has only just begun.