Chapter 7: Under Pressure

I stared at the emails piling up in my inbox, each one worse than the last. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. One message after another, all filled with bad news. Canceled contracts. Suppliers backing out. Even my best clients were suddenly hesitant to work with Seraphina Luxe. It was as if some invisible hand was tightening a noose around my company’s neck.

I knew whose hand it was.

“Damn it, Max,” I muttered under my breath, slamming my laptop shut. This was more than just business. This was a direct attack. An aggressive power play.

The air in my office felt stifling, oppressive. I needed a moment to think, to breathe. I got up from my desk and walked to the large window that overlooked the city, trying to steady my racing thoughts. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched, of being trapped in a game where the rules kept changing.

Was this Max’s way of pressuring me to accept his proposal? Or was it something more sinister? The message from that night at the restaurant still haunted me: "Trust no one." And then Elliot’s warning… "You’re in more danger than you realize." What did it all mean?

I had been playing it cautious, trying to protect Seraphina Luxe from Max’s reach, but maybe it was time to change tactics. Maybe it was time to play his game.

My phone buzzed on the desk, pulling me out of my thoughts. It was Lila. I took a deep breath and answered.

“Hey, Lila.”

“Sera, I just heard what’s happening,” she said, her voice filled with concern. “Are you okay?”

I forced a smile, even though she couldn’t see me. “I’ve been better. It’s a lot to handle all at once.”

“I can’t believe this. Max Thorne really is ruthless,” she said, anger lacing her words. “What are you going to do?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” I admitted, leaning against the window. “He’s pushing hard, and I don’t know if I can keep up. Every time I think I’ve caught up, he’s ten steps ahead.”

There was a pause on the other end, and then Lila’s voice softened. “Sera, I’ve been thinking. Maybe… maybe you should play along.”

I blinked, not sure I heard her correctly. “Play along? What do you mean?”

“I mean, go along with what Max wants. At least for now,” she suggested cautiously. “You could get closer to him, find out what his real intentions are. It might be the only way to get ahead of him, to understand what game he’s playing.”

The idea sent a shiver down my spine. Getting closer to Max was the last thing I wanted. And yet… it made a twisted kind of sense. “You think I should pretend to be interested in his offer?”

“Yes,” Lila said firmly. “Make him think he’s winning. Let him drop his guard. You might learn something that could turn the tables in your favor.”

I let her words sink in. Could I really do that? Could I pretend to be interested in Max, to play along with his dangerous game? I wasn’t sure I had it in me, but then again, what choice did I have? He was squeezing my company, forcing my hand. Maybe it was time to push back, to fight fire with fire.

“I don’t know, Lila,” I said hesitantly. “I’m not sure I’m cut out for that kind of manipulation.”

“Hey,” she said gently, “you’re stronger than you think. And you’re smart. You can do this, Sera. Just be careful. Max is dangerous, but he’s not invincible. You have something he doesn’t—integrity. Use it to your advantage.”

I sighed, staring out at the skyline, my mind spinning with possibilities. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s time to change the game.”

Lila’s voice was full of encouragement. “That’s my girl. Just remember, whatever happens, I’m here for you. You’re not alone in this.”

“Thanks, Lila,” I said, feeling a small measure of comfort in her words. “I’ll keep you posted on what I decide.”

We hung up, and I stood there for a moment, contemplating my next move. Lila’s suggestion was bold, risky, but it might be the only way to get ahead of Max. I needed to know what he was planning, why he was so intent on getting me under his thumb.

But more than that, I needed to protect my company. Seraphina Luxe was my life’s work, and I wasn’t about to let anyone take it from me—not Max Thorne or anyone else.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I had to do. If I was going to play along with Max, I needed to be prepared for whatever he threw at me. I needed to be ready to outmaneuver him at every turn.

I grabbed my phone and opened my email, pulling up Max’s last message. It was a request for a follow-up meeting to discuss his proposal in more detail.

I hesitated for a moment, then typed a response.

"Max, I’ve been thinking about your offer. Let’s meet and discuss it further. Tomorrow at 7 p.m.?"

I hit send before I could second-guess myself, the message flying off into the digital abyss. There was no turning back now. I was officially in the game.

The rest of the day passed in a blur as I tried to focus on work, but my mind kept drifting back to Max and what he might be planning. Every time my phone buzzed, my heart skipped a beat, expecting a reply from him. But it wasn’t until late in the afternoon that I finally got one.

"Looking forward to it. See you then, Sera. - Max"

I stared at the screen, my pulse quickening. This was it. Tomorrow night, I’d face him again, this time with a new strategy. I’d play along, pretend to be interested in his offer, and see what I could uncover.

As evening approached, I decided to call it a day and head home. I needed to rest, to prepare for whatever lay ahead. But just as I was about to leave, my phone buzzed with another message. This time, it was from an unknown number.

"He knows more than he lets on. Be careful."

My blood ran cold as I read the words. Who was this? And how did they know about my meeting with Max?

I looked around my office, suddenly feeling exposed, as if the walls had eyes. I quickly grabbed my things and hurried out, my heart racing with fear and suspicion.

By the time I got home, I was a bundle of nerves. I locked the door behind me and double-checked the windows, trying to shake the feeling of being watched.

Whoever was sending these messages knew too much about my life, my plans. I needed to find out who they were and what they wanted.

But for now, all I could do was focus on the meeting with Max. I had to stay sharp, stay alert. One wrong move, and I could lose everything.

The next day passed in a haze of anxiety and anticipation. I went through the motions at work, but my mind was miles away, already at the meeting with Max. When the clock finally struck six, I gathered my things and headed out, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach.

I arrived at the restaurant a few minutes early, taking a deep breath before stepping inside. The place was dimly lit, with soft music playing in the background. I spotted Max at a secluded table in the corner, already waiting for me.

“Good evening, Sera,” he greeted me with a charming smile as I approached. “I’m glad you decided to meet.”

I forced a smile, taking a seat across from him. “I’m curious about your proposal, Max. I want to hear more about what you have in mind.”

He nodded, his eyes gleaming with a hint of triumph. “Of course. I think you’ll find it quite compelling.”

As he began to talk, laying out his plans for a potential collaboration, I listened carefully, trying to pick up on any hidden motives or clues. But Max was a master at hiding his true intentions, his words smooth and persuasive.

Halfway through our conversation, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see a waiter standing there, holding a folded piece of paper.

“This is for you, miss,” he said, handing it to me before walking away.

I unfolded the note, my heart pounding as I read the words.

"Trust no one. They’re watching."

I looked up, scanning the room for any sign of who might have sent it. But there was nothing. Just the usual crowd of diners, laughing and talking, oblivious to the tension coursing through me.

Max watched me carefully, his expression unreadable. “Something wrong, Sera?”

I shoved the note into my purse, forcing a smile. “Nothing. Just… a reminder of something I need to take care of.”

He nodded, but his eyes never left mine, as if trying to read my thoughts. “You seem distracted. Is there anything I can do to help?”

I shook my head, my mind racing. Who was sending these notes? And why were they so intent on warning me about Max? Was this all part of his game, or was there something more at play?

As I sat there, trying to make sense of it all, I realized that I was in deep shit.