The morning air was crisp as Isabella Blackwood stepped into the towering Blackwood Industries building, her heels clicking against the polished marble floors.
She had barely made it to her office when Eleanor was already on her heels, a knowing smirk plastered across her face.
"He responded,"
Eleanor announced, dropping a sleek black folder onto Isabella's desk.
Isabella didn't need to ask who he was.
There was only one man capable of disrupting her perfectly calculated world right now—Dante Russo.
She set her bag down and flipped open the folder, scanning the contents.
His counteroffer.
Bold.
Unexpected.
A direct challenge to everything she had put forward.
Her lips curled slightly.
Of course, Dante wouldn't just accept her terms.
He had taken her move and twisted it into something equally sharp, equally ruthless.
"I assume he wants a meeting?"
Isabella said, closing the folder.
Eleanor nodded.
"Tomorrow morning, Russo Industries."
Isabella leaned back in her chair, fingers tapping against the wood.
Dante was pushing her into his territory, his domain.
A calculated move.
But Isabella had no intention of being intimidated.
"Confirm it," she said smoothly.
Eleanor grinned.
"I thought you'd say that."
She turned to leave but hesitated.
"By the way, Lilly's been asking about you. She seems worried."
Isabella stiffened slightly.
"She always worries."
Eleanor sighed.
"And maybe she has a reason to. You know she—"
"That's enough, Eleanor."
A heavy pause.
Then, Eleanor nodded.
"Understood."
As she left the office, Isabella exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening around the folder.
Dante Russo wanted to play?
Fine.
She would make sure he regretted it.
*************************************************
Dante leaned back in his chair, tossing a stress ball between his fingers as he listened to his best friend, Adrian Wolfe, rant from across the desk.
"She's not going to let you win, you know."
Dante smirked.
"I'd be disappointed if she did."
Adrian rolled his eyes.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
Dante caught the stress ball and set it down, his gaze drifting toward the city skyline beyond his office window.
"Isabella Blackwood is an enigma. She doesn't just play the game—she owns it."
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"And you want to break her?"
Dante chuckled.
"No. I want to see how far she'll go before she breaks me."
Adrian groaned.
"This is going to be a disaster."
Dante smirked.
"Or a masterpiece."
A knock on the door interrupted them, and his assistant, Olivia, stepped in.
"Sir, Isabella Blackwood has confirmed tomorrow's meeting."
Dante's smirk widened.
"Perfect."
He could already picture it—her walking into his territory, composed, unreadable.
But Dante had spent years perfecting his own game, and he had no intention of making this easy for her.
"Prepare the conference room," he ordered.
"And make sure we have everything we need."
Olivia nodded before leaving.
Adrian shook his head.
"I'm going to enjoy watching this war play out."
Dante chuckled.
"You won't be disappointed."
Because this wasn't just business anymore.
This was personal.
*************************************************
Lilly Blackwood paced across her penthouse, frustration bubbling inside her.
She had tried to reach Isabella all day, but as usual, her sister had buried herself in work, shutting everyone out.
Lilly hated it.
She hated that Isabella refused to let people in, that she acted like the past didn't affect her when it clearly did.
Grabbing her phone, she dialed her best friend's number.
"Lilly," came Adrian's amused voice.
"To what do I owe this honor?"
Lilly rolled her eyes.
"Cut the crap. Have you seen Isabella?"
Adrian hesitated.
"She confirmed a meeting with Dante tomorrow. Does that count?"
Lilly sighed.
"Of course she did."
"You sound worried."
"Because I am," Lilly snapped.
"Dante is dangerous."
Adrian chuckled.
"So is your sister."
Lilly clenched her jaw.
"That's what I'm afraid of."
A pause.
Then Adrian's voice softened.
"You really care about her, huh?"
"She's my sister," Lilly said quietly.
"She acts strong, but she's still human. And if Dante pushes too far…"
Adrian sighed.
"You're scared she'll break."
Lilly swallowed hard.
"She already did once. And I don't think she can survive it a second time."
A long silence stretched between them.
Then Adrian spoke, his voice unreadable.
"I'll keep an eye on them."
Lilly exhaled.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," Adrian muttered.
"This game is just getting started."
*************************************************
Isabella arrived at Russo Industries at exactly 9:00 AM the next morning.
She stepped out of the car, adjusting her blazer as she surveyed the building.
It was as imposing as its owner—sleek, modern, and built to dominate.
Eleanor walked beside her, checking her tablet.
"Everything is prepared. But just a reminder—Dante will try to rattle you."
Isabella's lips curved slightly.
"He can try."
The doors to the building opened, and they were greeted by Dante's assistant, Olivia.
"Miss Blackwood," Olivia said politely.
"Mr. Russo is expecting you."
They were led into the executive wing, where Dante sat at the head of a long conference table.
He stood as they entered, his gaze sharp, assessing.
"Isabella," he greeted smoothly.
She met his gaze. "Dante."
His smirk deepened.
"I was starting to think you'd back out."
She arched a brow.
"You overestimate your importance."
Adrian, seated beside Dante, let out a low whistle.
"This is going to be fun."
Dante ignored him, gesturing toward a seat.
"Shall we?"
Isabella sat, crossing one leg over the other.
"Let's get to it."
Dante leaned forward, sliding a contract across the table.
"I made a few adjustments to your terms."
She picked it up, scanning the contents.
Then she smiled.
He had countered her counter.
A silent challenge.
She closed the document, meeting his gaze.
"Interesting."
Dante tilted his head.
"I thought so."
A charged silence settled over the room.
Then Isabella placed the contract back on the table.
"I accept," she said.
Dante stilled, surprised.
"That easily?"
She smirked.
"Did you expect me to fight you on every detail?"
He studied her.
"Honestly? Yes."
Isabella leaned back.
"Sometimes, the best way to win is to let your opponent think they've won first."
Dante chuckled.
"Clever."
"Always," she said.
Adrian exchanged a glance with Eleanor, muttering, "These two are going to burn the world down."
Eleanor smirked.
"And I'm here for it."
Dante exhaled, shaking his head.
"Fine. Deal."
They shook hands.
Isabella's fingers were cool against his palm, her grip firm.
For the first time, Dante wondered—was this really just business?
Or had they just started something far more dangerous?