Chapter 8: The Game Begins

I arrived at the high-rise building where Max’s offices were located, my heels clicking against the marble floor as I made my way to the elevator. Every step felt heavier than the last, weighed down by the decision I’d made. I had agreed to this meeting—to this so-called partnership—because I believed it was the only way to protect Seraphina Luxe. But as the elevator ascended, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was walking straight into a lion’s den.

The elevator doors opened to reveal a sleek reception area. Everything was black, white, and chrome, cold and impersonal. Max’s office was like the man himself: sharp, intimidating, and impeccably controlled. A woman with a sharp bob and even sharper eyes greeted me with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Ms. Devereaux, Mr. Thorne is expecting you. Right this way, please.”

I nodded and followed her down a long corridor, my heart thumping loudly in my chest. She led me to a pair of large, dark wooden doors and knocked once before pushing them open.

“Seraphina, come in,” Max’s voice called out from inside.

I stepped into the room, and my breath caught in my throat. Max was seated behind a massive desk, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin tingle. He stood up as I approached, coming around the desk with a predatory grace.

“Thank you for coming, Sera,” he said smoothly, extending his hand.

I shook it, feeling the firm grip of his palm against mine. “Let’s get one thing straight, Max,” I said, meeting his gaze head-on. “I’m only here because I believe this partnership might be beneficial for both of us. But if I sense any sign of you trying to take over my company, I will walk away. Do you understand?”

A slow smile spread across his lips, a gleam of amusement flickering in his eyes. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Sera. Now, why don’t we sit and discuss the terms?”

We sat down at a small conference table on the side of the room, a tray of coffee and pastries set out between us. Max poured himself a cup of coffee and offered one to me, but I declined. I wasn’t here for small talk or niceties.

“So,” I said, leaning forward slightly. “What exactly do you envision for this partnership?”

Max took a sip of his coffee, his eyes never leaving mine. “I see it as an opportunity for both of us to expand our reach in the fashion world.

You’ve built something impressive with Seraphina Luxe, but you’re still a small player compared to the big fashion houses. With my resources and connections, I can help you scale your business faster than you ever could on your own.”

“And in return?” I pressed.

He smiled again, a calculating look in his eyes. “In return, I get a stake in Seraphina Luxe and a seat on the board. Think of it as a strategic alliance—one that could be very lucrative for both of us.”

I frowned, not liking the sound of that. “A stake? How big of a stake are we talking?”

“Twenty percent,” he said without hesitation.

I almost choked. “Twenty percent? That’s practically a fifth of my company!”

“Yes, but with that twenty percent comes a wealth of opportunities, Sera. Think about what you could achieve with my backing—new markets, new collections, and the chance to really compete with the giants of the industry. It’s a small price to pay for what you stand to gain.”

I leaned back in my chair, my mind racing. Twenty percent was a lot. It would give Max significant influence over the company, more than I was comfortable with.

But he wasn’t wrong about the benefits. If I could leverage his resources without losing control of Seraphina Luxe, it could be a game-changer.

“I’ll have to think about it,” I said finally, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Of course,” Max said smoothly. “Take all the time you need. But remember, opportunities like this don’t come around often.”

As if on cue, my phone buzzed in my purse. I pulled it out and glanced at the screen. It was a text from Lila.

Lila: Call me ASAP. We need to talk.

I slipped my phone back into my purse, my curiosity piqued. “I’ll be in touch,” I said to Max, standing up to leave.

“I look forward to it,” he replied, standing as well. “And Sera, one more thing. Be careful who you trust in this industry. It’s a cutthroat world out there.”

I gave him a tight smile, not sure whether his words were meant as advice or a veiled threat. “I’m well aware, Max. Thanks for the warning.”

As I walked out of his office, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. I wasn’t sure what to make of Max’s proposal or his intentions, but I knew one thing for sure: I needed to talk to Lila.

I dialed her number as soon as I stepped out of the building.

“Lila, what’s going on?” I asked as soon as she picked up.

“I just had lunch with one of my old contacts in the fashion industry,” Lila said, her voice low and urgent. “He told me something about Max Thorne that you need to hear.”

“What is it?” I asked, my heart rate quickening.

“He said that Max has a reputation for being ruthless in business, especially when it comes to partnerships. Apparently, he has a history of taking over companies and then dismantling them once he’s gotten what he wants.

And get this—my contact said that Max was responsible for the downfall of three major fashion brands in the last five years. They were thriving until Max got involved.”

I felt a chill run down my spine. “Are you saying that he destroys everything he touches?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying, Sera,” Lila replied. “You need to be very careful with him. I don’t trust him, and I don’t think you should either.”

I swallowed hard, my mind spinning with this new information. Could Max really be as dangerous as Lila’s contact suggested?

I thought back to the anonymous note I’d received at the restaurant—*Trust no one.* Was this what it was warning me about?

“Thanks for the heads-up, Lila,” I said finally. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Please do,” Lila urged. “And if you decide to go through with this partnership, make sure you have an ironclad agreement in place. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I won’t,” I promised, though I wasn’t sure I believed it myself.

As I hung up, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was standing on the edge of a precipice.

Max’s proposal was tempting, but the risks were becoming increasingly clear. I needed to tread carefully, or I might find myself falling into a trap from which there was no escape.

As I made my way back to my office, my phone buzzed again. This time, it was an email. I opened it, expecting another business message, but my blood ran cold when I read the subject line.

“A word of advice about Max Thorne.”

I opened the email, my hands trembling.

“Sera, I’ve heard about your meeting with Max Thorne. Be very careful. He’s not what he seems. If you value your company and your future, you’ll walk away now. Signed, A Friend.”

I stared at the screen, my heart pounding in my chest. Who was sending these messages? And why did they seem so determined to warn me about Max?

I knew one thing for sure: the game had truly begun, and I was caught in the middle of it. Max Thorne was a dangerous man, and if I wasn’t careful, I could lose everything.

But if I played my cards right, maybe—just maybe—I could beat him at his own game.

And that was a gamble I was willing to take.

Just then, my office door burst open, and Lila rushed in, her face pale and eyes wide with fear.

“Lila, what’s wrong?” I asked, standing up from my desk.

“It’s Adriana,” she gasped, clutching her phone tightly. “She just sent me a text. She says she’s found something on Max—something big. And now she’s gone. I think someone’s taken her, Sera.”

My blood ran cold. Adriana, my creative director and one of my closest confidantes, was missing.

And it was all because of Max Thorne.

The stakes had just been raised, and I had no idea who to trust—or what to do next.