Bound By Contract

The towering glass skyscraper loomed over Emily Chen as she stood at the entrance of Thornton & Associates, her fingers tightening around the strap of her worn leather bag. The contrast between her modest outfit—a simple navy dress and scuffed heels—and the sleek, modern luxury of the law firm’s lobby wasn’t lost on her. She took a deep breath, inhaling the sterile scent of polished wood and expensive cologne, and stepped inside.

The receptionist barely glanced up as Emily approached the marble counter. “Do you have an appointment?”

“Yes,” Emily replied, clearing her throat. “Emily Chen. I’m here to see James Thornton.”

The woman’s expression flickered briefly with surprise before she tapped something into her computer. “Mr. Thornton is expecting you. Take the elevator to the twentieth floor.”

Emily exhaled and stepped into the waiting elevator, the doors sliding shut behind her with a soft hiss. As the floors ticked upward, she clutched the business card James had left on her café counter the day before. The weight of his offer—his proposition—hung heavy in her mind.

When the doors opened, she was greeted by another immaculate reception area, this one even more imposing. Floor-to-ceiling windows cast long shadows over the pristine space, and the quiet hum of controlled efficiency filled the air.

A poised assistant led her to a large office at the end of the hall. “Mr. Thornton will see you now.”

Emily stepped inside, her heart hammering against her ribs.

James Thornton sat behind a sleek mahogany desk, the city skyline stretching endlessly behind him. He didn’t look up immediately, his fingers moving deftly over his laptop’s keyboard. The silence stretched between them, broken only by the muted hum of the city below.

Finally, he closed the laptop and lifted his gaze to meet hers. Blue eyes—sharp, assessing, unreadable.

“Ms. Chen,” he said, gesturing to the chair opposite him. “Thank you for coming.”

Emily sat, smoothing her dress over her knees. “You said you had a proposition for me.”

His lips curved, not quite a smile but something close. “Yes. A business arrangement. One that benefits us both.”

She swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around the edge of her bag. “I’m listening.”

James leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “Then let’s get straight to the point.”

Emily took a steadying breath. She had no idea what she was about to agree to—but something told her that whatever James Thornton was about to propose, it was going to change her life forever.