The morning had barely started when Ariel's phone buzzed.
Nyx.
"Boss," Nyx said immediately, her tone clipped and urgent. "We have a situation at the northern border. Vyre's underworld has been testing our supply points. If we don't move fast, they'll exploit it. Vaping shipments run through that sector any slip, and they'll take advantage."
Ariel leaned back in her chair, expression unreadable as she took a slow sip of her black coffee.
"Prepare a full report," she said calmly. "Routes, checkpoints, vulnerabilities. I want everything mapped within the hour."
"Yes, boss," Nyx replied without hesitation.
The line went dead.
Ariel set her phone down, her fingers resting lightly against the table.
The border issue wasn't something she could afford to ignore. One mistake—just one and it would give her enemies the perfect opening to strike.
Especially Vyre.
They weren't just rivals. They were a problem that refused to die.
The most powerful underworld organization. The one even governments turned to when things got… complicated.
And their leader Raven.
Ariel's eyes darkened slightly.
He had been a thorn in her side long before now.
He hated her.
And for good reason.
She had killed his father.
Don.
A man who had made her life miserable… and unforgettable.
She didn't regret it.
Not for a second.
The hospital was already alive when she arrived.
Nurses moved quickly. Conversations overlapped. Machines beeped in steady rhythms.
Normal.
Ariel walked through the corridor, her presence alone enough to shift the air.
"Dr. Blake."She had most people saying and bowing it a respect
She gave a brief nod without slowing.
Inside her office, she buried herself in work almost immediately. Files. Reports. Schedules. Everything precise, everything controlled.
The door opened without warning.
Daniel walked in, holding a cup of coffee.
"One black coffee," he said brightly, placing it on her desk. "As black as your heart, Chief."
He dropped into the chair across from her like he owned the place.
Ariel didn't look up. Didn't respond.
"Today feels like a good day," he continued, stretching slightly. "Don't you think?"
Silence.
He kept talking anyway.
Ariel barely registered a word.
A knock interrupted him.
A nurse stepped in.
"Dr. Harvey," she greeted.
Daniel nodded back casually.
"Dr. Blake, the OR is ready."
Ariel stood immediately.
"Thank you."
She picked up the coffee, downing it in one smooth motion before setting the cup aside.
"I'll see you later," she said, already walking out "thanks for the coffe"
"Looking forward to it," Daniel muttered under his breath. He stood up and left the office
The day moved like clockwork.
Surgeries. Consultations. Meetings.
Every step precise. Every action controlled.
Nyx's updates came in steadily, each one reviewed and processed without delay.
Nothing slipped past Ariel.
Nothing ever did.
It was already 8 p.m. when Ariel finally left.
The city was alive lights glowing, traffic thick, voices blending into a constant hum.
She slid into her car, the engine purring softly as she pulled onto the road.
Her grip on the wheel was steady, her focus sharp.
Then
Impact.
A sharp jolt.
Metal against metal.
Ariel's brows furrowed slightly as she brought the car to a stop.
Annoyance flickered across her face.
It was a lonely
Really?
She stepped out.
The driver of the other car scrambled out immediately, panic written all over his face.
"I'm so sorry, ma'am! I didn't see _ I mean, the car just— I didn't—"
His voice tumbled over itself in a rush of apologies.
Ariel glanced at her car.
A sleek, expensive machine.
Her favorite.
The scratch was a big massive
She turned her gaze back to him.
Cold.
Unforgiving.
The man swallowed hard, his voice dropping.
"I'll pay for it. Whatever it costs—just name it."
"Douglas," a voice called from the back seat of the other car, smooth and impatient. "What's the hold-up?"
The door opened.
And then he stepped out.
He adjusted his sleeve slightly, his movements lazy but deliberate, as if the world moved at his pace not the other way around.
His dark hair fell perfectly into place, his sharp black eyes scanning the scene before settling on Ariel.
He paused.
Just for a second.
Amused.
Because standing in front of him wasn't just any woman.
It was a woman with a gaze sharp enough to cut.
"Well," he said, voice low, almost playful, "what lovely eyes you have."
The words came out lazy. Coy. Like he wasn't even trying.
Ariel felt irritation spike.
Not from the accident.
From him.
"Douglas," Alexander added casually, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Pay her. Add something extra for the inconvenience."
A faint chuckle followed, effortless, confident.
Ariel didn't respond.
Didn't argue.
Didn't acknowledge him.
Instead—
She walked to the front of her car.
Pulled out one of the wipers.
And without hesitation—
Threw it.
Straight at his car.
The glass shattered on impact.
A sharp, cracking sound cutting through the noise of the street.
Silence followed.
Ariel turned.
Got into her car.
And drove off.
Just like that.
Douglas stood frozen.
Speechless.
Still trying to process what had just happened.
Alexander, however—
Smiled.
Slowly.
Deeply.
Amusement flickering in his dark eyes.
"Well…" he murmured, watching the direction she disappeared.
Then he glanced at his stunned driver.
"Isn't that interesting, Douglas?"
Douglas blinked.
"…Sir?"
Alexander's smile widened slightly.
Very interesting.