Wicked Games

Caroline

Caroline Rivolta stepped out of the sleek black town car, her sharp stiletto heels clicking against the marble steps of Silverstone Tower. The imposing skyscraper loomed above her, a monument to corporate power and prestige.

Her tailored suit, the color of midnight, hugged her figure with precision, exuding the confidence and authority she had meticulously crafted over the years. Every strand of her chestnut hair was perfectly in place, a testament to the control she wielded over her image and her life.

As she entered the grand lobby, the hushed whispers of employees echoed around her. They all knew who she was—the most successful and youngest corporate lawyer in the country, with a reputation as fierce as her beauty.

Caroline was here for business, and she wasn’t one to waste time. She had a meeting with Leonardo Romero, the CEO of Silverstone and Co., and she intended to show him that no one, not even a man of his stature, could intimidate her.

The elevator ride to the top floor was silent, save for the soft hum of machinery. Caroline mentally reviewed her strategy, preparing herself for the confrontation ahead.

Leonardo Romero was known for being ruthless, a man who had clawed his way to the top with a blend of charm and cruelty. He was as famous for his cutting-edge business tactics as he was for his devastating good looks—a combination that had left more than one adversary off-balance.

The elevator doors slid open, revealing a spacious office with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city. Sunlight streamed in, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floor.

In the center of the room stood Leonardo, his back turned to her as he gazed out at the skyline. He was tall, with broad shoulders that filled out his perfectly tailored suit. His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he’d just run a hand through it in frustration or thought.

Caroline’s heels clicked against the floor as she approached, her posture as rigid as the steel beams that held up the tower around them. She stopped a few feet from his desk, waiting for him to acknowledge her presence.

When he finally turned around, she was momentarily struck by the intensity of his gaze. His eyes were a deep, piercing blue, like the ocean on a stormy day, and they locked onto hers with an unsettling mix of curiosity and challenge.

“So, you’re the infamous Caroline Rivolta,” Leonardo said, his voice smooth and commanding. He didn’t extend a hand to shake hers, nor did he offer any pleasantries. Instead, he leaned casually against the edge of his desk, crossing his arms as he studied her with a slight smirk on his lips.

“And you must be Leonardo Romero,” Caroline replied coolly, refusing to be intimidated. She met his gaze head-on, her own expression carefully neutral. “Shall we get down to business?”

Leonardo raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her directness. “No small talk? I thought lawyers loved to circle around their prey before going in for the kill.”

Caroline’s lips twitched in a hint of a smile. “I don’t have time for games, Mr. Romero. I’m here to discuss the merger terms, not to engage in a battle of wits.”

Leonardo pushed off the desk and took a step closer, his presence suddenly overwhelming. “But what if I enjoy the battle?” he murmured, his voice low and dangerous.

Caroline held her ground, though she could feel the tension crackling in the air between them. This was not just a business negotiation; it was a test of wills, and neither of them was willing to back down. She squared her shoulders, letting her own determination shine through.

“Then you’ll find that I’m more than up to the challenge,” she replied, her voice steady and unyielding.

Leonardo’s smirk widened into a full smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes. “Good. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Caroline Rivolta.”

As they took their seats across from each other, the city skyline serving as the backdrop to their confrontation, Caroline knew that this meeting was only the beginning.

She had dealt with powerful men before, but Leonardo Romero was different. He was a force of nature, and she could already sense that their clashes would be nothing short of explosive.

But Caroline Rivolta wasn’t afraid of explosions. In fact, she thrived on them.

The battle had just begun.