Chapter 7

ARIA’S POV —

My heart raced so violently I could almost hear it echo in Magnus Thane Dravon's office. Never in my life did I imagine I would try to seduce a man — and definitely not this man.

Mr. Magnus.

The great Mr. Magnus Thane Dravon.

But Stella’s words kept replaying in my head, pushing me forward even when my courage shook.

“He likes you. Or he’s obsessed with you.”

That was the only reason I dared to move closer. And when I did, I saw it — his fingers tightening around the edge of the desk behind him, his jaw clenching like he was wrestling with himself.

“If there’s a rise under his zipper — case closed.”

Stella’s teasing made my throat dry. My eyes almost drifted downward, but fear held me still.

What if he thought I wanted money again?

What if he humiliated me like before?

“What do you want?” he asked, his voice deep and firm.

Then he did the last thing I expected.

He pulled me closer — so close I could feel the cool mint of his breath, smell his expensive cologne, feel the heat of his body through his tailored suit. My gaze fell to his lips before I could stop myself, and when I looked back up, his eyes were already on mine.

“You’ve been talking,” he murmured, pausing, still staring into me. “But you haven’t said anything yet.”

I couldn’t speak.

I didn’t trust my voice.

Everything in me trembled.

Then he turned me around, pressing me gently but firmly against his desk. His fingers traced my lips, then slid downward, pausing at the first button of my shirt.

“Too bad,” he said quietly, “I don’t fuck virgins.”

My entire world dropped.

“And I don’t do girls…” he paused, looking straight at me, “…girls like you.”

The moment those words left his lips, something inside me collapsed. Shame burned through me — sharp, humiliating, crushing. I had told Stella a man like Magnus could never want me, and now here he was proving me right.

He stepped away, adjusted his suit without looking at me, and returned to his chair.

Leaving me on his desk — humiliated, embarrassed, feeling like something discarded.

“You mentioned you needed something,” he said, leaning back, watching me like I was a scene to observe.

Right, Aria.

Well done.

Another round of embarrassing yourself.

“I… I was hoping you could reinstate me back at the company,” I stuttered. “I don’t want the dismissal settlement. I need the job more than that. My grandmother is very sick, and having steady income would mean a lot to me. Please… please put me back in the job.”

I searched his face for even a flicker of sympathy.

Found nothing.

Of course.

The whole of L.A. knew he was a strong man who didn’t show emotion. But stupidly, a part of me hoped I would be different.

“I can’t, Ms. Blackwell, ” he said bluntly, eyes fixed on mine. “You were fired by the head of the marketing department — and my brother-in-law. I can’t re-instate you.”

I nodded, even as my heart felt heavy and bruised.

“Okay.”

I placed the small bag I brought on his table.

“What’s that, Ms. Blackwell?” he asked.

“Your suit, sir. From last time. Thank you… it helped me.”

“You shouldn’t have bothered,” he replied. “I have plenty. That one missing wouldn’t be noticed.”

That stung more than it should.

“Goodbye, Mr. Magnus,” I whispered, hurrying out before the tears could fall.

I found the nearest restroom, locked the door, and broke down in front of the mirror as hot tears streamed down my face.

I was hurt — not just because he rejected me, but because he threw away everything I confessed to him.

“You’re strong, Aria,” I whispered to myself shakily. “You’ll get back up again. You have to.”

I wiped my tears and walked downstairs.

The moment I reached the lobby—

“Oh, look who’s back without a smile,” Liz sneered.

“What did you expect?” Tracy said, pushing my shoulder. “That she’d magically get into Mr. Magnus’s bed like she did with Noah?”

Stephanie laughed, and I felt something inside me shrink, but I said nothing.

I was defeated.

As I reached the exit, a staff member stopped abruptly in front of me.

“Mrs. Magnus asked me to give you this,” he said, handing me a white envelope.

I didn’t open it.

I just walked away.

It was probably another reminder of my mistakes.

I stepped out of Tallhox — the place I thought would help me build a future — now leaving it in shame.

MAGNUS’S POV —

I watched her through the CCTV feed as she collected the envelope… and didn’t open it.

Why would you offer a girl who’s clearly out for money a blank check?

my conscience hissed.

“Because she needs it,” I muttered. “Even if she is a gold-digger.”

And because it felt right.

Even if I didn’t want to admit why.

“I don’t care for her,” I told myself. “I did it with a clear mind. Nothing more… right?”

But the lie sat heavy.