Signed in Blood: The Price of Secrets

Pt.4~Impose

Lilith's Office

As Lilith leaned back in her chair, a sudden thought struck her. Why did Henry call me yesterday before the party? He never really showed interest in what went on in her office. A pang of unease settled in her chest. Was it because of our fight on the phone earlier?

Flashback

"They seem like good people. I could sense it, but..." She trailed off, as she always did. Building bonds had never been her strong suit.

Henry's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Your overworked ass needs to stop interpreting suffering as profit," he almost shouted over the phone.

Lilith's grip on her phone tightened. "Why are you judging me? At least you should understand—I can't just stop having trust issues!" she shot back, her voice matching his in intensity.

This wasn't going to end well. She knew herself—when someone close to her failed to understand her, she lashed out. And more often than not, she was the one to end the conversation abruptly. Henry sensed it too and quickly softened his tone.

"I know. I'm sorry."

Silence followed—not the awkward kind, but the kind that spoke volumes. Their breathing, deep and steady, was enough to convey understanding.

"You know what I mean, Lilith. You need to get close to others the way you are with Dad and me. Start trusting people. You're not like everyone else—you have an upward-moving career. Stop worrying so much about control, and start living. Get to know them." His voice was calm, measured.

She knew he was right. It wasn't that she didn't want to socialize—it was that she couldn't. She craved someone to share her thoughts with, but years of experiences had conditioned her otherwise. At such a fragile age, she had been forced to learn independence the hard way.

She needed to stop obsessing over work. If something went wrong, she'd handle it—just like always. Her childhood had trained her well. With no distractions, she had poured every ounce of her energy into her work, until it became all she knew. Now, even if she wanted to, she couldn't think of anything beyond profit and strategy.

"I'll try," she murmured, softer this time. "Like I always have. Thanks."

"Of course. Take care. A lot is going to happen... get to know them." With that, he hung up.

End of Flashback

Back in the present, Lilith exhaled sharply. Maybe he just wanted to check on me... Then why had he said, A lot is going to hap—

A knock on her office door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in!" she called out, loud enough for the two figures outside to hear.

"Good morning, ma'am," one of them greeted. "Mr. Eric Nam sent us to inform you that Mr. Cross will be arriving around—"

"You."

Lilith's gaze locked onto the man beside the speaker. She pointed at him, one hand resting on her desk for support. "Weren't you the one who came to me yesterday?"

The man nodded. "Yes, ma'am. That was me. I'm Chris, and this is Raye." He bowed slightly, introducing both of them.

Lilith barely had time to process the information before Chris extended his hand, eyes hopeful for a handshake. Instinctively, she was about to shoot him one of her infamous glares—until her brother's words echoed in her mind. Begrudgingly, she shook his hand, albeit a little awkwardly.

"What brings you both here?" she asked, retracting her hand.

"Ah, yes. Mr. Eric asked us to remind you that Mr. Cross and his son will be meeting you in about ten minutes," Joohyeon informed her before exiting alongside his colleague.

The moment they left, it hit her.

Mr. Cross. Meeting. First impressions.

Her eyes darted to her desk, then to her blazer. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail. Taking a deep breath, she straightened herself in her chair. She knew the name of Mr. Cross's son—Ronan.

As she texted Noah to arrange an upcoming meeting with Taehyung, another knock interrupted her. She was startled but quickly masked her nerves, slipping into the confidence she had perfected over the years.

People assumed she was a cold, high-attitude CEO. And sure, she could be. But when it came to public interactions—especially meetings—she preferred burying herself in work rather than engaging in small talk. They mistook her detachment for savagery, though she only wielded that side of herself when necessary.

"Please, come in," she called out, walking towards the door.

Three men entered—Mr. Cross, Eric Nam, and a younger man whom she assumed to be Ronan. His presence alone confirmed it. He was tall, tanned, and covered in tattoos. A white shirt clung to his frame, accentuating his build.

Lilith's sharp eyes took in his features—he was undeniably handsome, his face exuding an almost sacred intellect. But his aura? It was anything but. His energy was intense, dominant, contradicting the formal introduction his father was giving.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lilith," Mr. Cross greeted, his smile overly sweet.

She hated it. The way he casually used her first name instead of addressing her properly. It irked her. She needed time to warm up to certain people. But she couldn't afford to let her irritation show—not in front of a man as influential as him. One wrong impression, and he could either push her career forward or shatter it entirely.

"This is Ronan," Mr. Cross gestured toward his son.

Ronan stood there, arms crossed, taking in the surroundings. His posture was effortless, yet it carried an air of arrogance. Lilith could already feel her own dominant nature rising to the surface.

Two powerhouses in one room. The energy was suffocating.

"...And that is why he's back—to take over the business previously managed by Mira," Mr. Cross concluded.

Lilith barely heard the latter half of his sentence. Her focus was divided between maintaining her composure and ignoring the quiet amusement dancing in Ronan's eyes.

She had to keep her cool.

"Mr. Cross, how may I assist you?" she asked, willing herself to remain professional.

He smiled. "Miss Lilith, I would like you to mentor Ronan in company operations. He's eager to enter the industry, and we're in urgent need of someone to take over Mira's role."

Eric and Ronan both sighed, but their reactions were vastly different. Eric's was subtle, but Ronan? His was undeniable.

Lilith narrowed her eyes slightly. Shouldn't Ronan be thrilled to get such an opportunity? Yet, from the way he stood there, it seemed like he was being dragged into this against his will.

Before she could analyze further, Mr. Cross cut the conversation short.

"I apologize for the interruption, but I must step out for a moment. You two can get to know each other—after all, you're both young. No need for an old man like me to interfere." He chuckled at his own joke before exiting.

And just like that, she was alone with Ronan.

Well, shit. Out of all people... this douchebag?