C1 The Billionaire’s Obsession: Built for Him

Lila Carter didn’t believe in fate. She believed in hard work, in sleepless nights spent poring over blueprints, in the unshakable confidence that came from knowing she was the best at what she did. What she didn’t believe in was walking into a meeting and instantly knowing that a man was going to ruin her life.

But the moment she locked eyes with Maximilian Blackwood, she knew.

He sat at the head of the long glass conference table, a man who radiated power so effortlessly it was almost infuriating. His navy suit was crisp, his posture relaxed, but his eyes—sharp, predatory, and assessing her like she was a particularly interesting challenge—made her jaw tighten.

“Miss Carter.” His voice was smooth, deep, just the right amount of arrogant. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Lila dropped her bag onto the table and sat, ignoring the way his gaze lingered on her. “Let’s hope half of it is true.”

His lips curved slightly, as if amused by her lack of deference. “Oh, I always verify my facts. I know exactly who I’m dealing with.”

Good for you, Lila thought, but she only gave him a cool nod. She was here for a project, not a pissing contest.

She turned to the others in the room—the board of Blackwood Enterprises, the team of investors, the assistant who was already taking notes. This was the moment she’d been working toward for years: leading the design of a revolutionary smart city, a project that would redefine urban living.

The only problem? Maximilian Blackwood owned it.

“Before we start,” he said, folding his hands, “let’s get one thing straight. I don’t waste time. If I hire the best, I expect results. And I don’t tolerate—” His gaze flicked to hers, deliberate. “—disobedience.”

Lila let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Disobedience? Are we in a boardroom or a dictatorship?”

A low chuckle rumbled from him. “That depends on how difficult you plan on being.”

She met his stare, refusing to back down. “Difficult? No. Honest? Always.”

A challenge sparked in his eyes. He liked this. The push and pull. The fight.

And Lila realized, with a sinking certainty, that Maximilian Blackwood wasn’t just going to be a problem—he was going to be her problem.

And that was going to be a very, very big problem.