The conference hall gleamed with polished elegance, the lighting perfectly balanced, the air filled with an undertone of tension and prestige. It was a joint press meet of titans—ValeTech and Myung Technologies. And behind every synchronized cue, glowing panel, and seamless transition, was one woman working silently in the shadows.
Ava Ellis.
While the guests praised the advanced tech displays and flawless presentation of the evening, Ava was already a step ahead—pacing behind the curtains, triple-checking equipment logs, syncing communication lines, and coordinating the secretarial teams of both corporations like a seasoned conductor guiding a symphony.
"Check the LED rotation timer again," she instructed one of the Raiden tech staff calmly, her eyes not missing a single flicker on the control panel.
"Yes, Miss Ellis!"
She turned to another secretary. "Adjust the spotlight angle for Section C. Mr. Vale's keynote will appear off if the backlight glares too sharply."
Everything was on a razor's edge of perfection. Raiden's senior secretaries, known to be cold and hard to please, now looked at Ava with something close to admiration.
"She's sharper than our whole team combined," one whispered.
Another smiled. "If she ever wants a job here, she won't even need to interview."
Backstage, the final cue was triggered. A round of thunderous applause erupted from the crowd beyond the stage as Dominic Vale concluded his speech—cool, commanding, and impactful.
Ava let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
"You were incredible!" a Raiden staffer gushed.
One by one, team members clapped and cheered around her. Ava smiled gently, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"It wasn't just me," she said sincerely. "It was all of us—each one of you. Thank you for trusting my suggestions."
Their cheers only grew louder. One even whistled. But Ava's smile, though warm, was weakening. A dull ache had settled at the base of her skull. Her vision had begun to swim the moment the lights dimmed.
She clutched the edge of the backstage frame discreetly, her fingers trembling slightly.
"Just a little more…" she whispered to herself, her lips barely moving.
She turned away from the team quietly and began to walk toward the elevator.
Before she left, she took out her phone and thought of sending Dominic a quick message:
> "I'm heading ba– "
But just as she was typing on her phone—
"Miss Ellis," came a voice from behind.
Ava turned, startled. She hadn't heard any footsteps.
It was Mr. Hanley—the senior secretary of Raiden Myung Tech. Sharp-suited, calculating, and someone who never wasted words.
"Oh—Mr. Hanley," she greeted, her voice strained.
He gave a rare smile. "You truly outdid yourself tonight. We couldn't have managed such precision without your leadership."
Ava shook her head gently, bracing herself against the wall.
"Not at all. Your team worked with so much discipline. It was…a team effort," she said, swallowing hard.
She stepped sideways, attempting to excuse herself politely. But Hanley moved, blocking her path slightly.
"One moment," he said, still smiling. "Because of your contribution, our secretaries decided to hold a small after-party. Nothing fancy. Just drinks and some music. They'd love for you to join."
Ava blinked. The corridor lights above them suddenly felt blinding.
"I…" She pressed her fingers against her temples. "I appreciate it, but I'm really not feeling—"
Before she could finish, her vision tilted. The hallway stretched and spun like a kaleidoscope. She stumbled, breath catching in her throat.
"Ava!"
Dominic's voice.
Suddenly, she felt someone warm arms surrouding her . The arms were—solid, steady, and protective.
Her vision flickered again, but not before she caught the unmistakable look of fury in Dominic Vale's eyes. Not at her—no, never at her. But at the world that dared let her fall.
---
Earlier – Dominic's POV
The conference had gone better than any executive forecast could have predicted. Tech reporters were abuzz about the Vale-Myung collaboration, competitors already bracing for fallout. The stage, the pacing, even the immersive holographic charts—it had all been flawless.
Flawless because of her.
Dominic sat through the closing segment of the conference, surrounded by board members and global investors. But his thoughts were elsewhere.
Ava.
She had barely slept the night before—he'd noticed. And though she wore professionalism like armor, he could see the fatigue leaking through the cracks.
He was thinking of heading back today since there work was done.
He tapped his watch, subtly pulling up an alert. His secondary secretary leaned down.
"Sir, Miss Ellis had just left. She said she's going back to her suite."
He stood instantly.
"She didn't mention feeling unwell?"
"She didn't say, sir. But she looked a little pale earlier."
That was enough.
Without another word, Dominic turned and left through the side hall, his mind racing. His long strides echoed through the plush corridors of the hotel suite floor. It didn't take him long to spot her.
She stood by the wall—alone, bracing herself. She looked like she could collapse at any second.
Then he saw someone else step closer to her.
Hanley.
Dominic's jaw tensed. What was that man doing? Ava was clearly unwell.
And then—her body tilted.
Dominic was there in a heartbeat.
---
She blinked slowly in his arms, her lashes fluttering.her voice came as a wishper"Mr Vale…"
"I've got you," he said, voice low and tight.
He shifted her easily against his chest, his arm behind her knees, the other under her back. Her body was warm, but weak—too weak.
Mr. Hanley stepped back quickly. "She seemed fine just a moment ago—"
Dominic shot him a warning glare that cut like a knife. "If anything had happened to her on your watch…" he didn't finish the sentence.
Hanley swallowed hard.
"I'll take her from here," Dominic said coldly.
And with that, he walked off—carrying Ava close, as if she were something too precious to let fall again.
---