The Billionaire's Enchantment

Chapter Nine

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Flora's head felt so foggy after the meeting. And she was only grateful to leave the boardroom with her heart still intact, because throughout the meeting, Alexander's eyes never left her. Her mind could not register what was going on, why Alexander Bennett was suddenly all over her life. She tried to convince herself that he did not invest in this company because she rejected his job offer, but she could not just bring herself to believe it.

Each time she attempted to focus on her sketches, Alexander's predatory smile flashed in her mind, dissolving her concentration like sugar in hot water. He had not simply appeared in her life; he had strategically invaded it, moving from gifts to influence, encircling her until escape became impossible. The realization made her stomach twist into knots that tightened with each passing hour.

Her colleagues buzzed around her, their excitement at the partnership palpable. They saw only an opportunity where she saw a trap. But could she blame them? Phoenix Couture would receive new funding, expanded operations, and better resources; all the things a struggling fashion house needed. But Flora knew the price that came with Alexander Bennett's generosity. Nothing was ever free with men like him.

"Can you believe it?" Elaine whispered, leaning over Flora's desk. "Alexander Bennett! Do you know how connected he is? This could put us on the map."

"Yes," Flora replied automatically, her voice hollow. "It is quite unexpected."

Unexpected was an understatement. It was a calculated move in a game she had not realized she was playing. The roses. The gifts. The invitation. All of it leading to this moment when he stood before them, claiming influence not just over the company's direction, but over her future as well.

By four o'clock, Flora had accomplished almost nothing. Her designs remained half-finished, her emails unanswered. She stared at the clock, watching the minute hand tick toward five with painful slowness.

"Ms. Roberts?"

Flora jolted, nearly knocking over her coffee mug. Lisa stood beside her desk, clutching a tablet to her chest. "Yes?"

"HR asked me to give you this," Lisa said, placing a folder on her desk. "It is your new contract. Mr. Bennett wants all employees to sign the updated terms by Monday."

Flora's fingers trembled as she accepted the folder. "Thank you."

Lisa lingered, her eyes darting to the trash bin where the remains of the roses still lay. "You know, there is a rumor going around..."

"What rumor?" Flora asked, though she already knew.

"That Mr. Bennett became Phoenix's new Chairman because of someone who works here. Do you know anyone?"

"No," Flora said firmly, opening her drawer and dropping the contract inside. "I do not know anyone."

It was not entirely a lie. She did not know if Alexander Bennett had taken that much control over Phoenix Couture because of her, either. What she knew was his type. Powerful men who viewed the world as their playground and people as their toys. Men like Jayden who believed their wealth entitled them to whatever and whoever they desired. She only hoped Lisa would not connect the dots. The woman was a bit too chatty and looked like she was hungry for gossip.

When the clock finally struck five, Flora gathered her belongings. She shoved her tablet into her bag, collected her jacket, and turned off her computer. All around her, designers lingered, excited chatter filling the air as they discussed the possibilities that the Bennett partnership might bring. None of them seemed in a hurry to leave.

Flora moved toward the elevators, her only thought to escape the building before Alexander Bennett could find her again. The metal doors slid open at her approach, and she stepped inside, jabbing the button for the lobby repeatedly as if the extra pressure might speed her descent.