Page 92 of King of Pride

Rose stepped inside the Oracle Fragrances office, her nerves immediately getting the better of her.

The building was far more impressive than she had expected. Sleek glass walls, polished floors, and expensive modern furnishings gave the entire place an air of quiet luxury. This was the first time her father had trusted her with an entire project of this scale, and that alone was enough to make her nervous.

In the past, Rose had worked primarily as a perfumer. Her father had always been comfortable letting her handle the creative side of developing new fragrances, but he had never given her complete responsibility for an entire fragrance line. This time, however, everything was in her hands.

And she desperately wanted to prove that she could handle it.

She took a slow breath before approaching the office at the end of the hallway. After a brief knock, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The office looked nothing like it had the last time she had visited.

The once-dull interior had been completely transformed. The old-fashioned furniture was gone, replaced by sleek modern pieces, elegant lighting, and tasteful decorations that made the entire room look considerably more sophisticated.

Rose's gaze swept across the room until it landed on the man standing behind the desk.

She stopped.

The last time she had been here, an older, bald man had been sitting behind the CEO's desk. He had been the one who agreed to work with her father's company on developing the new fragrance line.

But that man was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, a tall figure stood with his back to her, reading through a file.

A fresh wave of nervousness rolled through Rose.

Who was he?

She tightened her grip on the files in her hands and took a few cautious steps toward the desk.

“Excuse me?”

The man went still.

Then he slowly turned around.

Rose froze.

Her breath caught the instant she saw his face.

“Maverick?”

His name escaped her lips in a stunned whisper.

Of all the people she had expected to find in this office, he was the last.

“What are you doing here?”

Her gaze darted around the office before returning to him. Then realization struck her.

“You acquired this company?”

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Maverick's mouth.

He lowered the file onto the desk and placed both hands against its polished surface before leaning toward her slightly.

“Smart girl.”

Heat rushed into Rose's cheeks at the compliment.