Chapter 2 Professional Instinct

"Everyone, please! I need your attention!" Sophie pushed through the crowd, planting herself between Sebastian and the advancing reporters. "I understand your concerns, I really do. But ambushing us like this won't solve anything."

She paused, her voice cutting through the chaos with unexpected authority. "The company will hold a press conference this afternoon. Every question will be addressed in detail. Right now, blocking the entrance only makes things worse for everyone."

The reporters exchanged uneasy glances.

Sophie seized the moment, turning to the nearest security guard. "Get Mr. Carter out through the service exit. And book a venue for the briefing—now."

Then she looked directly at Sebastian and gave a slight nod. "Mr. Carter, please go. I'll handle this."

Sebastian studied her for a long moment, his ice-blue eyes unreadable. Finally, he nodded and let the security team escort him away.

Sophie watched him disappear down the corridor, her pulse hammering in her ears. At least now she'd proven herself useful. Even if Sebastian eventually recognized her from last night, it would be harder to fire her after she'd just saved his reputation.

By the time Sophie finished managing the scene and returned to the office, she was summoned to the executive suite.

"He wants to see me? Why?" Sophie asked, staring at her supervisor.

"Why do you think?" His tone dripped with thinly veiled resentment. "You made quite the impression."

She knew exactly what he meant—she'd stolen his moment in front of the new CEO, and he wasn't going to forget it.

But what choice did she have? With a mountain of bills and student loans waiting at home, losing this job wasn't an option.

Sophie climbed the stairs to Sebastian's office, her stomach knotted. When she stepped inside, he was seated behind his desk, looking every inch the corporate titan—cool, composed, nothing like the man who'd pinned her to the mattress last night.

"What's your name?" His voice was low, controlled.

"Sophie Turner."

"Why did you step in back there?"

"Professional instinct."

His mouth curved into something that might have been a smile, but it held no warmth. "Professional instinct? I think you're more ambitious than that."

Sophie dropped her gaze, avoiding his eyes.

God, was he onto her? Did he recognize her after all?

"Look at me."

She had no choice but to obey. The moment their eyes met, memories from last night crashed over her—his hands, his mouth, the way he'd made her cry out. Heat rose up her neck.

Sebastian's gaze lingered, dissecting her. When he finally spoke, his tone was dismissive. "Starting now, you're my executive assistant. Tomorrow morning, eight o'clock sharp. Don't be late."

Sophie's mind went blank. "What?"

"Isn't this what you wanted?" The corner of his mouth lifted in a mocking smirk. "You certainly worked hard enough for it."

"No! That's not—" Sophie scrambled for words, thinking of Emma. "Mr. Carter, I have a colleague who's much better suited for this position. She—"

"I don't need you making decisions for me." His voice turned to ice, cutting her off.

Sophie stood frozen, at a loss.

All she'd wanted was to keep her job. She never imagined it would turn into this.

"You can go." Sebastian waved her away, already focused on the documents in front of him.

She stumbled out of the office in a daze, her thoughts spinning.

His personal assistant? That meant working beside him every day. It was only a matter of time before he put the pieces together.

No. She needed a way out.

When Sophie got home that evening, Emma emerged from her bedroom as soon as she heard the door.

"Well, well. Congratulations, Sophie. Mr. Carter's personal secretary. Quite the promotion." Her voice was sweet with venom.

Sophie winced. "Emma, it's not what you think—"

"Not what I think?" Emma cut her off with a bitter laugh. "You made sure everyone saw you playing hero this morning. What else am I supposed to think?"

Sophie opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Emma thought the same thing Sebastian did—that she'd staged the whole scene to climb the ladder.

Guilt pressed down on her. This job was everything Emma had wanted. Sophie took her friend's hand, her voice pleading. "Emma, just give me some time. I'll talk to Mr. Carter. I'll convince him to give you the job instead. I promise."

Emma's expression softened slightly. "You mean it?"

"I swear." Sophie raised her hand like she was taking an oath.

Emma searched her face, then smiled. "I knew I could count on you."

Then she leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Since you'll be around Mr. Carter every day now, could you… keep an eye out for me? Find out what he drinks, eats, his hobbies—things like that?"

Sophie looked at her friend's eager expression, her stomach sinking.

The last thing she needed was to get closer to Sebastian. Digging into his personal life would only make things worse.

"I'll… try," she said weakly.

"Thanks! You're the best friend ever!" Emma beamed.

Her gaze dropped to Sophie's neck. "Hey, where's that locket I gave you? You're not wearing it."

Sophie's hand flew to her throat. Empty. Her heart sank.

Yesterday, for her birthday, Emma had given her a delicate silver locket—the kind that opened to hold a tiny photograph. Inside was a picture of the two of them. Sophie had loved it so much she'd put it on immediately.

Had she lost it at the hotel last night?

"What happened? Don't tell me you lost it." Emma's face darkened.

"I think I left it at the bar. From the birthday party." She couldn't admit she might have lost it at a hotel with a male escort.

"Then call them!" Emma's voice sharpened.

Sophie nodded quickly and called the bar's manager, describing the locket and begging him to check.

Fifteen long minutes later, he called back. No luck.

"I'm so sorry, Emma…" Sophie's voice cracked.

Emma's expression went cold. "Forget it. It was just a cheap trinket anyway. I guess it didn't mean much to you."

"That's not true! I really—" Sophie reached for her, but Emma had already turned away, slamming her bedroom door.

Sophie stood alone in the hallway, a hollow ache spreading through her chest. They'd been friends for years. She couldn't let something like this ruin it.

She had to find that locket. No matter what it took.