Dhwani adjusted the stethoscope around her neck as she reviewed the new assignment details. She had been reassigned to the top floor-the VIP wing-early this morning without explanation. The shift felt abrupt, but she didn't question it. Nurses were often shifted based on need.

But this... this wing had a different air. Clean. Quiet. Almost too perfect.

"Room 1401. The CEO's suite," the senior nurse instructed her. "He asked for someone experienced. You've been summoned."

Dhwani blinked. "Wait, CEO?"

"Yes. He just took over. Apparently, he's strict and expects perfection. Don't make him wait."

Dhwani nodded, her heart racing slightly. CEO? She had no idea who he was, nor why someone at that level would request her. But professionalism came first. She quickly made her way to the room, knocking lightly on the thick wooden door.

"Come in," a voice called-deep, calm, with a strange edge that made her stomach twist.

She stepped in.

And froze.

He was standing by the window, half-turned. But she didn't need a full view.

The voice. The posture. The cold air that seemed to follow him like a shadow.

No.

Her breath caught in her throat.

When he finally turned to face her, her heart dropped.

Dharsh Malhotra.

The same man who had taunted her days ago, who had made her feel small in a room full of people.

He stared at her, his eyes unmoving.

"You," she whispered.

His mouth curled-barely. "You look surprised."

"You're the CEO?" she said sharply, her voice slightly breathless with disbelief.

"I thought you were smarter than that," he replied, leaning back against his desk, arms crossed. "You didn't Google your employer?"

Dhwani's hands tightened into fists. "I didn't expect you."

He tilted his head, as if amused by her anger. "Neither did I. But life's entertaining like that, isn't it?"

"Why did you call me here?" she demanded, fighting the sudden surge of heat rising in her chest-rage, confusion, something she refused to name.

"I asked for someone competent. I didn't know I'd get you."

She stepped forward, jaw clenched. "I don't need favors. If this is some power trip-"

"I don't do favors," he cut her off smoothly. "If I wanted you out, you'd already be gone."

Her chest rose and fell sharply, eyes flaring with resentment. "Then what is this? Another game?"

He didn't answer right away. He just studied her. Like she was a puzzle he didn't understand. Something about her seemed to pull at him, even in fury.

"I wanted to see if your professionalism matched your attitude," he finally said. "Let's hope I'm not disappointed."

Dhwani held his gaze, unmoving. "I'm not here to please you. I'm here to work."

"And yet," he said, voice low, "you're still standing in my room."

Her pulse thudded in her ears. She hated how he made her feel-exposed, challenged, like she had to fight just to breathe.

Without another word, she turned to leave.

But she could feel it.

The heat of his gaze on her back.

Watching. Measuring. Wanting.

And for the first time, she realized:

This wasn't over.

Dhwani had barely returned to her rounds when a nurse rushed toward her.

"Dr. Singhania, you're needed in the conference room."

She frowned. "Now?"

"Yes, ma'am. Board members are already there."

Confused, Dhwani wiped her hands and headed to the executive floor. The glass doors of the conference room loomed ahead. As she stepped in, her eyes scanned the room.

Board members. Senior doctors. And-her eyes locked-him.

Dharsh sat at the head of the table, perfectly composed in a dark suit, his fingers steepled before him. His gaze landed on her like a weight, silent and heavy.

Dhwani straightened her coat and entered. "Good afternoon," she greeted, holding her professionalism like armor.

One of the senior doctors spoke, "Dr. Dhwani, we were just discussing the upcoming high-profile surgery. We were told you're the best person to brief us on the steps and projected complications."

Her brows furrowed for the briefest second-This wasn't planned. But she masked it quickly and nodded. "Of course."

She walked to the whiteboard with calm confidence. "The patient in question has a complex cardiac abnormality. We're planning a combined open-heart and valve replacement procedure. I'll be leading the surgical team. We'll need..."

As she talked, her voice crisp and clear, Dharsh didn't blink. He watched her with unnerving stillness-not listening to her words, but drinking her in.

Every flick of her hand. Every pause of breath. Every determined crease between her brows.

She knew it. She felt it. That simmering heat of being watched. Not just observed-hunted.

Still, she refused to look at him. Her chin stayed high, her voice unwavering. But inside, she was seething.

How dare he stare at me like that? Like I'm something to conquer.

Finishing her explanation, she capped the marker and turned. "Any questions?"

No one spoke for a second. Then a board member nodded, clearly impressed. "That was concise and thorough, Dr. Dhwani. Thank you."

She gave a polite nod, finally meeting Dharsh's gaze. Cold. Challenging. His mouth twitched-just slightly.

Not a smile. A warning.

Dhwani capped the marker with a snap and turned back to the board members.

"Any questions?"

Silence.

Until a deliberate voice cut through the room.

"Just one."

Her stomach twisted.

Dharsh.

He leaned back in his chair lazily, but his eyes-those unnerving, slow-burning eyes-were locked on her.

"Given the complexity," he said, his voice smooth, low, "wouldn't it be... safer... if someone with more experience supervised the surgery?"

Her heart punched against her ribs. Her breath hitched-but she kept her face neutral.

"I am more than capable of leading this," she replied evenly.

He tilted his head slightly. "I'm sure you are. But this case isn't just critical-it's political. Our hospital's image is on the line. I'll personally oversee this one."

Dhwani's pulse roared in her ears.

What?

Supervise? That was her case. Her patient. Her plan.

She stared at him, fury blazing in her chest.

"This was assigned to me by the board weeks ago," she said, her voice taut with restraint. "There's no clinical reason to alter the lead."

Darsh's lips curved-just slightly. "Now there is."

She stared at him, stunned, as the room went silent.

Board members exchanged glances but said nothing. His authority-the cold, commanding CEO-stood like a wall behind him.

She wanted to scream. She wanted to slap that smug twist of his mouth off his face.

But instead, she sat back down slowly, every movement tight with fury. Her eyes fixed on the polished wood of the table. She felt caged.

And Darsh?

He watched her.

Like a lion who had just pulled the rug from under his prey, only to watch her squirm.

---