Yield

Laurette sat at the head of Élan Noir's glass boardroom table. The air was crisp, cool, and expensive-just the way she liked it.

Around her were eleven directors in tailored suits, waiting. Most of them sweating, some trying to seem calm.

None of them dared to rush her. They knew what would happen if they did.

She slipped the final contract into a folder. "Dismissed."

No one spoke until an older man who had worked for her late grandfather. "The Whitmore merger-"

"Will not touch our terms," she said calmly. "They want in? They follow our lead."

With that, she stood up and left.

Her heels echoed across the marble floor as her assistant struggled to keep up. "Ma'am, there's a situation with the Whitmore team. They want a face-to-face. The person is....Rhodes Sterling"

"Let him wait."

Laurette turned around, smiling politely. " Thank you, Jamila."

Turning the corner into her office. She stopped.

Rhodes Sterling was already there waiting by the large windows overlooking the city.

He stood like he owned the room. His dark suit was sharp and perfectly fitted. His eyes locked on her. Steady and unreadable.

"Hello, Laurette."

She stepped in and shut the door behind her. "You're early."

"And you're late." He responded with the same arrogant smile- the one that always mean he was enjoying the game.

Walking past him, she said, "Manners, Rhodes. Do I have to remind you to knock before you enter? You should know that by now."

"I don't knock on doors I already planned to walk through."

Their eyes met. And just like that, the atmosphere changed.

The room closed in on them, and the tension was almost suffocating. None of them were willing to back down. The silence between them was prolonged.

Laurette's gaze was unflinching. It was cold, daring him to say something. Rhodes wasn't intimidated, he was amused.

He wouldn't have been able to own one of the most powerful corporations in the city if he could be easily thrown off by just a stare.

Rhodes knew what she was thinking, her posture and the way her muscles were taut as if she were ready to strike. For a moment, none of them moved.

Then slowly Rhodes straightened, the muscles in his back tightening. "Laurette Raine," His voice low and smooth. "You're your father's legacy."

That was it for Laurette.

"Fuck you, Rhodes." She started, moving closer with every sentence.

"Who do you think you are coming into my company without permission and you still have the guts to disrespect me? There was no one to help me, everyone, including my father, who you say has a 'legacy '. I made this company good. Without me, there won't be a you.

I put in the effort, I was the one who spent sleepless nights taking this company out of debt that my 'father's legacy' put me into. Not you, Sterling. Me."

He didn't interrupt, he let her finish.

"And last time, I checked, you were partying and living your best life while I was struggling to keep my company up."

She finished, directly in front of him. They were close enough to feel each other's body heat.

Rhodes's jaw flexed at that. He didn't deny it, he knew he deserved that. Instead, he moved even closer. "I did party. I did live my best life while you clawed your way up. But I wasn't ignorant. I watched you, Laurette. From headlines, from boardrooms, even from the way the executives were too cowardly to face you."

He leaned in, his eyes softening. "I didn't come here to disrespect you and I'm sorry if I did. The reason I'm here is that they knew I was the only one who could withstand you. Maybe just maybe- the only one who can match you."

He slowly and deliberately brushed his fingers against her lips.

"So go ahead, remind me who owns the throne, scream it if you have to. Just don't forget this, the more you fight me, the more you ignite me."

She didn't react. She said nothing she just stared at him but her eyes weren't empty, they never were. Her eyes told a story - years of being underestimated, smiling through betrayal.

And then-

She laughed.

Not loud, not light. It was a quiet one of disbelief. "Oh, you think I'd bend that easily?"

She pulled him closer by his tie and he let her.

"I've had men try to intimidate me, Rhodes. Lots of them. Men who thought a bit of seduction and sweet talk would make me bend but guess what? It never worked."

"You know why?" She muttered, brushing her fingertips on his neck. Looking up at him and leaning in for something that seemed like a kiss.

"Because I end up bending them first."

She left.

He alone stunned, standing in the middle of her office with nothing but the scent of her perfume.