Harrison’s phone rang at exactly 2 PM. He glanced at the screen. Unknown number. But the area code was local.

He answered.

"I’m back," a familiar voice said. Female. Confident. "I booked a table. The usual place. 7 PM."

Harrison leaned back in his chair. "Anna."

"Miss me?"

"You were supposed to return next month."

"Plans changed." There was a smile in her voice. "Business wrapped early. Besides, I heard things got interesting while I was gone."

Harrison’s expression didn’t change. "Interesting?"

"You tell me." Anna waited for him to respond. When he didn’t, she continued. "So. Dinner?"

Harrison considered it. Then made his decision.

"I’ll be there."

"Good. Don’t be late, King."

The call ended. Harrison set the phone down. Stared at it for a moment.

Anna Chen. Thirty-two. Alpha. One of his most trusted managers at Nexus Global. Ten years with the company. Knew the business inside and out. Knew him better than most.

She spent the past year in the United States handling expansion. Wasn’t supposed to return until next month. Something must have happened.

Harrison checked his watch. Five hours until dinner. He looked at his phone to see if Julius had messaged. Nothing.

Then he set the phone aside. He had work to finish first.

The restaurant was upscale. Private. The kind of place where deals were made and secrets were kept.

Harrison arrived at exactly 7 PM.

Anna was already there. Seated at a corner table. Dark hair tied back. Tailored suit. Professional. Confident.

Anna looked up when he arrived. Smiled.

"Did I just win the lottery? You’re actually on time. First time ever." She laughed.

Harrison took the seat across from her. "You said you had information. Don’t waste my time. I have too much work waiting."

"You’re too cold," Anna said. "Is this how you welcome a friend you haven’t seen for months?"

"You have three seconds to finish your whining," Harrison said.

"Fine, fine. Straight to business." Anna poured wine into both glasses. "You really have changed."

"Have I?"

"You seem more..." She studied him. "Human. Less ice king, more actual person. What happened while I was gone?"

Harrison picked up his glass. "You said plans changed. Why?"

Anna shook her head, amused. "Nice deflection. Fine. I’ll go first." She leaned back. "Expansion in the States is complete. We’re ahead of projection."

"I read your reports."

"Then you know we’re positioned to dominate the market by next quarter." Anna took a sip of wine. "But that’s not why I came back early."

Harrison waited.

"There’s been movement," Anna said. She became more serious. "VOID Corporation. The chairman. He’s been making inquiries. Asking about Nexus. About you. About your connections."

"I’m aware."

"Are you?" Anna set her glass down. "Because from what I’m hearing, he’s not just asking questions anymore. He’s making moves. Recruiting people. Offering shares. Building something."

"I know."

Anna studied him. "And you’re letting it happen?"

"For now."

"That’s not like you," Anna said. "A company that small? You could destroy them in a day. One word from you and they’d be gone. So why are you keeping them alive?"

Harrison met her eyes. "Things are different now."

"Different how?"

Silence.

Anna understood. "It’s someone, isn’t it? That’s why you seem different. Why you’re playing defense instead of offense."

Harrison didn’t answer.

"Ten years I’ve known you," Anna said. "Never seen you hesitate. Never seen you protect anyone except yourself. So whoever this person is..." She smiled. "They must be special."

"The VOID situation," Harrison said, changing the subject. "What else do you know?"

Anna let it go. For now.

"They’re targeting people close to you. Trying to find weaknesses. Leverage." She paused. "They approached me in New York. Offered me thirty percent of a subsidiary if I turned."

Harrison’s eyes narrowed. "And?"

Anna laughed. "You should have seen their faces when I turned them down. They really thought I’d leave? After ten years of working my way up in this company?" She shook her head. "Ten years of struggle. And now that I finally have a position worth something, they think I’m going to throw it away for VOID?" Another laugh. "I told them exactly where to go."

"If they approach you again," Harrison said calmly, "you don’t refuse."

Anna raised a brow. "No?"

"You give me their names."

Anna’s smile returned. "Understood."

They talked for another hour. Business. Strategy. The future of Nexus Global. Plans for the next quarter. Competitors to watch. Markets to enter.

But Anna kept watching him. Noticing the small changes. The way his attention drifted. The way he checked his phone more than once.

"You’re distracted," she finally said.

Harrison looked at her.

"Whoever they are," Anna continued, "I hope they’re worth it."

"They are."

"Then I’m happy for you, Harrison. Really." She raised her glass. "To new beginnings."

Harrison clinked his glass against hers.

They finished dinner. Talked about old projects. Old victories. The early days when Anna first joined Nexus Global and proved herself invaluable.

When the check came, Harrison paid without looking at it.

They walked out together. Anna’s car was waiting at the curb.

"It’s good to be back," Anna said. "I missed this. The work. The challenge." She looked at him. "I missed working with you."

"We have the quarterly meeting tomorrow," Harrison said. "9 AM. Nexus headquarters."

"I’ll be there." Anna replied. "See you tomorrow, King."

She got into her car and drove away.

Harrison watched the car leave. Taillights disappearing into the night.

He glanced at his phone. No messages from Julius.

He thought about the bite mark he left on Julius’s neck. The way Julius had looked at him before walking out. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

This dinner with Anna was business. Nothing more.

But Julius didn’t know that.

Julius didn’t know Anna was just a colleague. A trusted manager. Someone who had been with Nexus Global for ten years but meant nothing beyond professional respect.

Harrison slipped the phone back into his pocket.

Tomorrow’s meeting would be interesting.

Because Harrison knew one thing for sure.

Julius wasn’t the type to stay quiet.