Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Anna’s POV

I hated this.

55 vouchein

I hated standing outside Roman Blackwood’s office. I hated what I was about to do. I hated that I had no other choice.

My hand reached for the sleek heavy glass door and pushed it open.

Roman sat behind his massive mahogany desk. his head bent over his laptop. His fingers moved across the keyboard with the kind of efficiency that came from running an empire.

He did not look up when I entered, although I knew he already sensed my presence. I walked up to his desk and stood there, waiting.

After what felt like an eternity, he glanced up. His expression shined from concentration to amusement. His lips curved into a smile that made me want to disappear into the ground.

Then he leaned back in his chair, arms crossing over his chest. Like he had all the time in the world to watch me squirm.

“Miss Winters. His voice was smooth and cocky. “This is quite the surprise. I did not think I would see you so soon.”

My throat felt tight. Heat raced up my neck as I stood there, completely exposed under his gaze.

“Mr. Blackwood. I.” The words caught. I swallowed hard. “I wanted to say that I am sorry. For the way I spoke to you last

time.

He did not move. He just kept watching me with those piercing blue eyes, enjoying every second of my humiliation.

“Go on.

My hands trembled. I clasped them together. “I was out of line. And I should not have…”

“Should not have what?” His tone was casual, but there was steel underneath. “Be specific, Miss Winters. What exactly are you sorry for? The part where you insulted me, or the part where you ripped up my NDA?”

The humiliation of his words burned through me, and the worst part was knowing I was about to beg the man I’d cussed out just two days ago.

I am sorry for everything,” I whispered.

He studied me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “I will take your apology under consideration.” He turned his attention back to his laptop. “You can leave now.”

Panic shot through me. “No. Wait.”

His fingers paused on the keyboard. He looked up at me, one eyebrow raised.

“Please.” The word came out desperate. “I need my job back.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “Your job?” He leaned back further, tilting his head. “What job would that be, Miss Winters? The one where you told me to fuck off? The one you quit so dramatically?”

My face burned.

“Being my assistant was a rare opportunity I gave you, he continued, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “An opportunity anyone would kill for. And you threw it back in my face.”

1/4

15.48 Fri, Jan 23 GG.

Chapter 16

Romani clasped his fingers together on the giant desk, leaning bigk like a king waiting to be entertained.

15.vouchers

“I do not regret to inform you,” he said, completely unapologetic that the position has already been filled. So tell me his eyes dragged over me, why should I fire my current assistant and rehire you?

What an arrogant jerk.

He had conveniently ignored the fact that he pushed me into regning. And now he had replaced me without blinking, like I was not even a person. Months of working myself sick for him and suddenly I was supposed to prove myself all over again.

I wanted to say. Because you made it impossible for me to stay. Because you kissed me and then acted like it meant nothing. Because I need the job back, even if you do not deserve that power over me.

But none of that could leave my mouth. Not with the way he was looking at me.

He waited and watched. Enjoying every second of my struggle,

Finally, I forced myself to stand straighter. To meet his eyes even though every instinct told me to look away.

Because I am good at what I do, I murmured. “Because I made a mistake and I am trying to make it right.”

Interest flashed in his eyes, maybe.

“And I took a breath. “I am willing to sign the NDA. Whatever you need.”

Now his full attention was on me.

“Interesting. He leaned back in his chair, settling into it like he had all the time in the world. He studied me, like I was a puzzle he intended to take apart piece by piece.

“Two days ago, you were fiercely devoted to your principles. You were so certain I was trying to buy you. Silence you.”

His brows lifted, “What changed?”

Everything. My whole world fell apart.

Thad time to think. I managed. “I overreacted.”

“Overreacted. He repeated the word slowly, tasting it. “That is one way to put it.”

Silence stretched between us. He just sat there, watching me with that infuriating calm, making me stand there and feel every ounce of my humiliation.

“Please, I really need the job, I said quietly, letting my desperation show. “And the money.”

His eyes narrowed, even more curious.

“The money.” He nodded slowly. “You need money that badly?”

“Yes.

“Badly enough to sign whatever I put in front of you? Badly enough to come crawling back after the scene you made?”

I forced myself to meet his gaze. “Yes.”

He picked up his phone without breaking eye contact. “Lydia, reinstate Miss Winters‘ employment. Effective immediately.”

Relief flooded through me so hard I almost stumbled.

2/4

15:48 Fri, Jan 23 GG.

Chapter 16

But Roman was not done.

He ended the call, then pulled open a desk drawer,

A sleek black folder appeared in his hand,

Without a word, he slid it across the polished surface toward me with a pen placed neatly on top.

“Sign it. he ordered.

I reached for the folder and flipped it open. Of course, it was the NDA I had ripped apart.

1 rolled my eyes, picked up the pen, and signed my name in one clean stroke.

Then I slid it back across the desk without looking at him.

Roman did not even glance at it. Instead, he pushed a second folder toward me.

You will need to sign this as well.”

My stomach dropped. “I thought it was just that one.”

He lifted one shoulder in a lazy shrug, smug written all over his face.

We can call it, his fingers tapped the desk, “the consequences of your actions.”

My hands trembled as I opened the folder.

Additional Terms and Conditions….

51 vouchelp

During the duration of employment with Blackwood Enterprises. Miss Anna Winters agrees that any and all interactions with Roman Blackwood, CEO, are strictly consensual.

A chill ran down my spine.

I kept reading.

Including but not limited to disciplinary actions, corrective measures, and behavioral adjustments deemed necessary by Mr. Blackwood. Employee waives all present and future rights to dispute or contest said measures through legal or corporate channels.

What was this?

My throat tightened. Instead of saying that out loud, I looked up at him. “What is this?”

“Exactly what it says.”

He leaned closer, as if he had not just handed me something unhinged. “You defied me. You disrespected me. You walked out in the middle of a crucial meeting. Did you really think there would not be consequences?”

“What kind of disciplinary consequences?” The words barely made it out.

“The kind I decide.”

His voice dropped, a stern authority that sent a shiver through me.

“You want your job back? You want the money? Then you sign this too. You agree that whatever punishment I choose is fair. And you do not run to HR or a lawyer later pretending you were coerced.”

3/4

15:48 Fri, Jan 23 DGG.

Chapter 16

My hands shook harder around the paper. “This is…”

Your choice.

He said it gently, almost kindly, which somehow made it worse

55 voted hate

You can sign it. Get your job back. Get your NDA payment. Or you can walk out of this office and lose any chance of coming back.