Beneath His Cold Gaze

The weekend had passed in a blur of activity, and Monday morning brought a sense of anticipation and nervous energy to the office of Blackwood Enterprises. Bella had spent the past two days working tirelessly to perfect the designs, and she felt a mix of exhaustion and pride as she walk into the building.

The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the team prepared for a crucial meeting with Mr. Donovan. Bella knew that this presentation would be a defining moment, not just for her, but for the entire company.

As the meeting began, Bella stood by the projector, ready to present her revised designs. Alex was seated at the head of the table, his expression impassive but focused. Mr. Donovan, their high-profile client, sat across from him, his critical gaze fixed on Bella.

"Miss Hart," Alex said, his voice steady "Please begin."

Bella took a deep breath and started her presentation, meticulously walking through each design and explaining the changes she had made. The room was silent, the tension palpable as everyone waited for Mr. Donovan's reaction.

When Bella finished, Mr. Donovan leaned back in his chair, his expression contemplative. "Miss Hart, I must admit, I am impressed with your revisions. These designs meet the high standards I expect from Blackwood Enterprises."

Bella felt a surge of relief and satisfaction, a smile spreading across her face. "Thank you, Mr. Donovan. I'm glad you're pleased."

Alex nodded approvingly, his gaze lingering on her. "Well done, Miss Hart."

As the meeting concluded, Mr. Donovan shook Alex's hand. "Mr. Blackwood, I look forward to seeing the final collection. Miss Hart has done an excellent job."

Alex's expression softened ever so lightly. "Thank you, Mr. Donovan. We appreciate your confidence in us."

With the meeting over, Bella returned to her desk, her heart lighter than it had been in weeks. She had earned Mr. Donovan's approval and Alex's recognition, and it felt like a significant victory.

However, justas Bella was beginning to relax, she noticed a figure standing in the doorway of the design studio. She turned to see a man with a stern expression and an air of authority. He was tall, with a well-groomed beard an piercing eyes that seemed to see right through her.

"Bella Hart?" he asked, his voice calm but commanding.

Bella nodded, feeling a sense of unease. "Yes, that's me. Can I help you?"

The man stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "I'm detective Matthews. I'm her to ask you a few questions about Alexander Blackwood."

Bella's heart skipped a beat, confusion and worry flooding her mind. "Detective? What is this about?"

Detective Matthews glanced around the studio before speaking quietly. "Perhaps we should discuss this in private. Is there a place we can talk?"

Bella nodded, her mind racing with thoughts of what could possibly warrant a visit from a detective. She led him to a small conference room, closing the door behind them.

"Detective, I'm not sure what is this about, but I'll do my best to help," Bella said, her voice steady despite her inner turmoil.

Detective Matthews took a seat, his expression serious. "Miss Hart, I'm investigating a case that involves Mr. Blackwood. I need to know if you've noticed anything unusual about his behavior or if you've heard him mention anything that might be relevant to our investigation."

Bella's mind raced as she tried to recall any moments that might stand out. She thought about the anger she had witnessed, the rare moments of vulnerability, and the pressure he constantly faced. "Detective, Mr. Blackwood is a demanding boss, but he's always focused on the success of the company. I'm not sure what you're looking for."

Detective Matthews studied her for a moment before nodding. "I understand. If you do happen to remember anything, please don't hesitate to contact me." He handed her a business card and stood to leave.

As Bella watched him go, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease. What could Alex possibly be involved in that warranted an investigation? She decided to keep the encounter to herself for now, unsure of how to approach the subject with Alex.

The rest of the day passed in a blur, but Bella's mind remained preoccupied with thoughts of the detective's visit. That evening, as she was packing uo to leave, she saw Alex standing by the window, deep in thought.

"Mr. Blackwood," she called softly, approaching him. "Is everything alright?"

Alex turned to face her, his expression guarded. "It's nothing, Miss Hart. You may now go home."

As she walked away, Bella couldn't help but worry about what Detective Matthews had said. She knew there was more to Alex than met the eye, but she had no idea what secrets he might be hiding.

Over the next few days, Bella focused on her work, but the detective's visit remained at the back of her mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, and she found herself watching Alex more closely, looking for any signs of unusual behavior

One evening, as Bella was leaving the office, she noticed Alex in his office, the door slightly ajar. She saw him on the phone, his expression tense. She couldn't hear the conversation, but it was clear that something was troubling him.

As she walked past his office, she heard a fragment of the conversation. "I can't let them find out.... it would ruin everything."

Bella's heart raced as she quickly moved away, her mind spinning with possibilities. What could Alex be hiding? And how was it connected to the detective's visit?

Determined to find answers, Bella decided to do some investigating of her own. She knew it was risky, but she needed to know the truth. she began discreetly asking her colleagues if they had noticed anything unusual about Alex's behavior, but no one seemed to have any answer.

One evening, as Bella was working late, she decided to take a closer look at Alex's office. She knew it was risky move, but she felt compelled to find out what he was hiding.