Signed in Blood: The Price of Secrets

Pt~2 Lilith

Lilith's POV

As I was texting Noah and Caleb about the remaining details to be sent to Mr. Cross, I accidentally bumped into someone. He was about two inches taller than me, with light brown hair neatly styled. Despite being dressed in a formal suit and tie, there was an undeniable charm about him.

"Sorry, aren't you Miss Lilith?" he asked, bowing slightly in apology.

I took a moment to study him, noticing the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. "Yes, that's me. And you are...?" I questioned, my gaze flicking to his name tag, which read 'Executive Director.'

"Leo Park. Congratulations on the alliance. I was actually looking for you," he said, glancing behind me as if searching for Mr. Cross. Not spotting him, he quickly sent a text before gesturing for me to follow.

To my surprise, we were heading toward the cafeteria.

"Thank you, Mr. Leo. I suppose you need to send me the remaining records and stock details from Mr. Cross's side?" I asked, walking beside him, still unsure of where exactly he was taking me.

"Actually, my partner has all the records, and he just texted me to bring you to the cafeteria. Your assistants are already there, waiting for you," he explained.

When we arrived at the cafeteria, it was relatively empty. Three people approached us, all dressed in similar formal attire. I recognized two of them immediately, but the third—sporting cherry-red hair and a bright smile—was unfamiliar. He handed me a stack of files while Leo took his place beside him.

"Good morning, ma'am. I'm Adrian Sterling, Executive Director of The Cross," he introduced himself, pointing to his name tag. "Mr. Cross asked Leo to pick you up, while I've already exchanged the necessary documents with your assistants."

I nodded. "Would you all like to have coffee while I check the ratings?"

Being the owner of The Effects Animation and Visuals, I had always been a meticulous person. Life had never been particularly kind to me, and growing up without my mother had given me trust issues. I double-checked everything myself—always.

Many who didn't know me assumed I was an arrogant woman born with a silver spoon. What they failed to realize was that I had endured countless challenges to become the self-made brand I was today. My life revolved around my company, leaving little room for the carefree experiences of a typical twenty-year-old.

We settled into the lounge area while Adrian placed the coffee orders. As I glanced over the files, my mind wandered to Eric. Something about his relationship with Mr. Cross confused me. Eric had been working for The Cross for years, yet there was a certain distance between them. And for some reason, Mr. Cross's presence unsettled me.

Pushing these thoughts aside, I refocused on the alliance. Luck had never been on my side, so I was always cautious. Any misstep could harm my company, and I refused to let that happen.

"You seem lost in thought. Is there an issue with the records?" Noah's voice pulled me back to reality. Caleb, who was sitting beside him, looked up in concern.

"That's impossible. I checked them myself," Caleb defended, sensing potential tension.

These brothers had been with me since the very start of my company. I had allowed them into my guarded world, maybe because we had all learned programming together in our early years.

"I want to know more about Eric and Mr. Cross," I stated, earning Leo's immediate attention.

He smirked, elbowing Adrian. "Is Lilith interested in Eric?"

Adrian shot him a warning glare, but before the awkwardness could settle, I shut it down.

"It's Miss Hawthorne for you," I corrected, my tone firm. I wasn't used to informality. I had never been.

Adrian quickly shifted the topic. "Eric was very close to the late Miss Somi."

"He confuses me," I admitted. "At first glance, he seems cold and detached, but I don't think that's the full story. He has worked with Mr. Cross for years, yet very few people can actually handle him."

Noah nodded. "That's true. Mr. Cross is difficult to work with, and not many last long in his company."

I sipped my iced tea, still mulling over my thoughts. "How do you know so much about this company?"

Caleb grinned cheekily. "The four of us have been friends for years. We all started as interns in Mrs. Cross's department. She's a major shareholder in the company."

Leo leaned back, his expression shifting to something more solemn. "The entire company was close to Somi. She was a wonderful person. There were two more guys in our group, but one of them never worked here, and we haven't seen him in years. The other works as Mrs. Cross's secretary, but we barely talk anymore."

I nodded in understanding as I scanned through the stocks from Mrs. Cross's side. After some time, we all shook hands before parting ways. There was an unspoken tension between Leo and me, but I ignored it. Since I hadn't moved my office into The Cross's building yet, I left with Noah and Caleb. Soon, part of my team would relocate there for the two-year contract period.

Adrian Sterling's POV

I wasn't expecting Lilith—Miss Lilith—to shut Leo down with just a glare. I had heard bits and pieces about her from Noah and Caleb, but she was nothing like I imagined.

She wasn't the type of woman I was used to seeing in corporate spaces. Instead of a side-slit miniskirt and heels, she wore a perfectly tailored grey suit, a crisp white shirt, and a black tie. And unlike the women I usually met, who were warm and open, she was distant, guarded—intriguing.

As we walked back to our offices, Leo, as expected, wouldn't stop talking about her.

"She's got this beauty, this attitude, and that grace—you saw how she carried herself, right?" he mused, still captivated.

I rolled my eyes. He said the same thing about every woman.

Curious, I texted Noah: Why did she get annoyed when Leo called her by her name? I don't want to mess up.

A few minutes later, he replied: You need to earn that kind of familiarity with her. She's been through a lot, so she doesn't open up easily.Bye!

I stared at my phone, exhaling deeply.

Well, if this is how things are starting, these next two years were going to be one hell of a ride.