Cleopatra sat at her desk, but her mind was nowhere near the documents in front of her.

Her right hand held a pen, but all she did was tap it idly against the surface of her desk without any real purpose. Since this morning, she had spent more time smiling to herself than actually working.


She could still feel the effects of Louis.

Last night…

Her body still felt weak, a little sore in certain places—but not in a bad way. Cleopatra had nearly collapsed when she got out of bed this morning, her legs trembling the moment she tried to stand.


Damn it… that man… He's an absolute monster in bed. I never expected him to be that strong… that relentless.

Her face heated slightly, and she unconsciously bit her lip as memories of how Louis had matched her energy all night long flooded her mind. She thought she had the upper hand, but Louis had challenged her, pushing her to the point where she was the one who surrendered first.


Shaking her head quickly, she tried to clear her thoughts, but a smirk tugged at her lips again.

Idiot. This is work. Focus, Cleo.

But before she could fully return to reality, her phone suddenly rang, snapping her out of her daze.

The name on the screen: Georgina Miller.

Cleopatra frowned. Since when did her aunt call her this early in the morning?

She pressed the answer button and held the phone to her ear. Georgina's soft yet scheming voice greeted her immediately.

"Cleopatra, darling, how have you been?"

Cleopatra rolled her eyes. There was no way her aunt was calling just to check on her well-being.

"Just get to the point, Aunt. You wouldn't be calling if you didn't have something to say."

Georgina chuckled lightly on the other end.

"Of course. You've always been too smart for me, sweetheart."

Cleopatra heard the artificial sweetness in her aunt's voice and instantly became more alert.

"I just wanted to help you find a more suitable husband."

Cleopatra clicked her tongue in annoyance.

Whatever lingering thoughts she had of Louis disappeared in an instant, replaced by pure skepticism.

"Aunt, I already have a fiancé."

Georgina let out a soft laugh, as if she had been expecting that response.

"Oh, darling, I know you're only pretending to be engaged to that man."

Cleopatra's brows furrowed.

"And I also know you're only doing it for the inheritance."

Cleopatra fell silent for a moment.

Georgina always had a way of making her feel uncomfortable.

"I have someone in mind," Georgina continued. "He already knows you well, and I'm certain you'll want to consider him."

A strange feeling crept up Cleopatra's spine.

"I'm not interested," she said flatly.

"You don't even know who he is."

"I don't need to."

Georgina chuckled, sounding far too pleased with herself.

"But this particular candidate might just change your mind, sweetheart."

Cleopatra exhaled sharply.

"Aunt, I don't care who you introduce me to. I'm sticking with my own choice."

But Georgina wasn't giving up that easily.

'At least give him a chance. I'll arrange a meeting for you."

Cleopatra let out a long sigh before answering in a careless tone.

'Fine. Set up the meeting."

Georgina chuckled softly on the other end of the line, clearly pleased with herself.

'Good. I'm sure you won't regret it, sweetheart."

Cleopatra ended the call without another word.

She placed her phone back on the desk, staring blankly at her laptop screen.

Why does this feel like more than just a simple matchmaking attempt?

Louis sat at his desk, his eyes unfocused on the laptop screen in front of him. His chin rested on his hand, his mind still trapped in the events of last night.

He had just lost his virginity.

To his boss.

Holy shit… This wasn't just about sleeping with Cleopatra. I've officially been pulled into her world.

And the worst part is… I don't want to leave.

He ran a hand down his face, trying to shake off the wild thoughts creeping back into his mind.

But his body still remembered everything.

How Cleopatra teased and dominated him. How she made him submit. And the one thing he couldn't erase from his memory…

How much he had enjoyed it—way more than he ever expected.

Shit.

Just as he was drowning in his thoughts, a voice snapped him back to reality.

'Bro, why do you look so spaced out? You good?"

Louis quickly lifted his head, finding Adrian Brook standing next to his desk, watching him with a curious expression.

Snapping out of it, Louis tried to act normal.

'Me? No, I'm fine."

Adrian narrowed his eyes before settling into the chair across from him.

'Hmm… you sure? You look like someone who just… had a very long night."

Louis immediately stiffened, shaking his head a little too quickly.

'I'm fine."

Adrian let out a small laugh, leaning back in his chair with a smirk.

'So, what's it like dating Madam Cleopatra? You know… all the employees are terrified of her when she gets mad."

Louis forced a small smile, trying to steer the conversation away.

'Cleopatra isn't as scary as you guys think. She's just… stubborn."

Adrian studied Louis with a knowing look.

'Hmm… or maybe it's just me, but… you look more exhausted than usual."

Louis frowned.

'Exhausted?"

Adrian leaned in slightly, his smirk widening.

'Like someone who just went through a very… physically demanding night."

Louis choked—

He coughed violently, nearly dropping the pen in his hand as Adrian burst out laughing at his reaction.

'W-what the hell do you mean?!"

Adrian raised his hands in fake innocence.

'Nothing, bro. Just guessing."

Louis rubbed the back of his neck, trying to calm himself down.

There's no way Adrian knows… right?

But that damn smirk on his face was way too suspicious.

Louis quickly changed the subject.

'You should probably get back to work instead of prying into my personal life."

Adrian chuckled, shrugging his shoulders.

'Alright, alright. But I doubt I'm wrong."

He stood up from his chair but paused before walking away.

'Oh, by the way, I heard that Mr. Theodore is trying to take over company shares. Do you know anything about that?"

Louis instantly straightened up.

Adrian caught the subtle shift in his expression and raised an eyebrow.

'I was right, wasn't I?"

Louis quickly masked his reaction, offering a small, dismissive smile.

'Don't overthink it. Just focus on your work."

Adrian eyed him for a second before finally nodding.

'Alright, if you say so."

With that, he walked off, leaving Louis lost in thought once again.

At this point, he wasn't just a financial consultant at Dimitri Group.

He was also a man who had been marked by Cleopatra Thompson.

And for some reason, he wasn't sure if he could escape this role…

Or if he even wanted to.

Louis ran a hand down his face, trying to focus on the financial report in front of him. But his mind was still distracted by what had happened that morning—and worse, his body still remembered every sensation Cleopatra had given him last night.

He tried to work. He really did.

But suddenly, his phone buzzed on the desk.

1 New Message – Cleopatra Thompson.

Louis picked it up and read the text.

"I won't be able to go home with you today, I have things to take care of."

Louis exhaled in relief. At least tonight, he wouldn't have to face another ‘disaster' at the penthouse.

He replied simply.

"Alright, be safe."

But just seconds later, his phone buzzed again.

1 New Message – Cleopatra.

Louis opened it—

And his eyes widened.

"Okay, sweetheart, thanks for always caring about me. Hmm, do you think we could do it again tonight?"

Louis froze.

CLEO…

His eyes went wide, and he immediately set his phone back down on the desk, as if ignoring it would make the message disappear.

But the problem was…

Now his mind refused to focus.

And as if that wasn't enough, his phone vibrated again.

1 New Message – Cleopatra.

With a sinking feeling, Louis hesitantly opened it.

"I love seeing your face all tense like that, Louis. Just imagine me whispering this in your ear later tonight…"

Shit.

Louis quickly put the phone down.

He leaned his head back against the chair, taking a deep breath, trying to get a grip on his thoughts, which were now filled with images he should not be having while at work.

How the hell am I supposed to work like this?!

He rubbed his face in frustration, forcing himself to focus on his laptop screen again—but now, every number on the report meant absolutely nothing.

His mind was completely wrecked.

It didn't take long before his phone vibrated again.

1 New Message – Cleopatra.

Louis frowned, debating whether he should even check it.

But his hand moved before he could stop himself.

"Louis, I know you're reading my messages. Are you too shy to reply? Or… are you thinking about how I was on top of you last night?"

Louis almost dropped his phone.

His face burned, his breathing hitched, and his brain nearly exploded from the sheer pressure Cleopatra was putting on him—through a damn text.

He blinked rapidly, trying to come up with the right response.

"Cleo, I'm working."

A reply came almost instantly.

"Oh, sweetheart… you're so focused on work that you can't even reply to me? That's so sad."

"But I love imagining your face right now. I bet you're blushing, your eyes wide, and your hands shaking while reading this… Am I right?"

Louis pressed his back against the chair and exhaled sharply.

He had lost before the battle even started.

Why do I feel like I'll never win against this woman?!

Deciding it was safer not to reply, he tried to focus on work again.

But how the hell was he supposed to do that after reading those messages?!

Meanwhile…

BANG!

Documents went flying across the desk as Theodore William Blake slammed them down, his face red with anger, his eyes burning with uncontrollable rage.

'Damn it! Our strategy yesterday was a complete failure!"

His furious voice echoed throughout the room, making Anthony Curse Blake, who stood in front of him, lower his head. His shoulders tensed, trying to withstand the weight of his father's wrath.

'…I'm sorry, Father."

His voice carried guilt, but also unease.

'Cleopatra showed up at the club herself and destroyed our entire plan."

Theodore clenched his jaw tightly.

How the hell does Cleopatra always stay one step ahead of me?!

From the other side of the room, Jenny sat with an irritated expression, her legs crossed, fingers touching the side of her face—still slightly sore from the slap Cleopatra had given her the night before.

'I couldn't seduce Louis."

Her voice was sharp, filled with frustration.

'That man is hard to manipulate, and on top of that, Cleopatra slapped me in front of everyone!"

Jenny let out an angry scoff, still furious about how Cleopatra had humiliated her in public. That woman was absolutely impossible to control!

Theodore's gaze swept over them both, filled with nothing but disappointment.

'So, the two of you are completely useless."

The tension in the room thickened.


Anthony clenched his fists in silence, his pride crushed, but he didn't dare to retaliate against his father's words.

Meanwhile, Jenny shook her head in frustration. She wasn't the kind of woman who took being underestimated lightly, but even she knew Theodore wouldn't accept any excuses.

Then—

The door swung open.

Georgina Miller walked in gracefully, dressed in an expensive, form-fitting dress that hugged her slender figure perfectly.

A knowing smile curved on her lips.

'Don't worry, darling."

Her voice was soft—but laced with cunning. She stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with intrigue as she met Theodore's gaze.

'I still have another ace up my sleeve."

Theodore eyed her suspiciously, though his expression began to soften just slightly.

'What do you mean?"

Georgina smirked, making herself comfortable on the luxurious sofa in the room. She crossed her legs elegantly and ran her fingers along the surface of the glass table in front of her.

'I have an acquaintance… someone who was once completely obsessed with Cleopatra."

Theodore's eyes narrowed, interest flickering in his gaze.

'Someone from her past?"

Georgina nodded, satisfaction evident in her expression.

'Yes. And this man—he can destroy her relationship with Louis."

Anthony finally lifted his head, intrigued by the idea.

'Who is he?"

Georgina leaned back against the sofa, her smirk widening, and spoke with absolute confidence.

'Someone Cleopatra can never escape from."

Theodore finally grinned.

For the first time in a while, he felt like victory was within reach.

________________________________________

Meanwhile…

Cleopatra was reviewing the company's financial reports on her laptop when her phone vibrated.

1 New Message – Georgina Miller.

She let out a long sigh before opening it.

"Sweetheart, I've arranged a meeting for you with my acquaintance tonight. 7 PM, at a well-known French restaurant. I'm sure you'll like him."

Cleopatra narrowed her eyes.

Georgina was always scheming. Why was she suddenly so insistent on setting her up with someone?

Why does this feel like more than just a simple introduction?

She typed a short reply.

"Fine. I'll be there."

It didn't take long for Georgina to respond.

"Good, sweetheart. I promise, you won't be disappointed."

Cleopatra scoffed.

She hated being thrown into someone else's plans—especially when they involved her life.

Her eyes flicked to the clock on her desk. 5 PM.

Two hours until the meeting.

Who exactly is this man? And why is Georgina so convinced I'll be interested?