The Surrogate He Discarded

The following morning, Claire arrived early at the lobby of Galaxy Technologies.

She had barely slept the night before.

After sending Marco a message, she had waited for his reply.

Nothing came.

Not even a simple acknowledgment.

Still, Claire had come.

She had spent the previous evening doing her homework. Galaxy Technologies was one of the most aggressive startup in the capital.

The forty-story Galaxy Tower belonged entirely to the corporation.

What surprised her even more was discovering who stood at the top of it all.

Marco Pollus.

He wasn’t merely a director with connections.

He was the owner of Galaxy Technologies.

And apparently, the entire building beneath her feet belonged to him as well.

That realization had made her heart beat a little faster.

She had been sitting in the lobby for nearly an hour when a red-haired secretary finally approached her.

”Miss Claire Landers?”

Claire immediately stood.

”Yes.”

”The boss will see you in fifteen minutes. Please proceed to the top floor.”

Claire nodded and followed her toward the private elevator.

As the elevator doors closed, Claire glanced at her reflection in the polished metal.

She had dressed carefully that morning.

This meeting mattered.

She wasn’t entirely sure what Marco wanted from her, but she knew one thing—men like him did not make people wait for no reason.

The elevator climbed swiftly.

When the doors finally opened, Claire stepped out.

And froze.

For a moment, she simply stared.

The entire executive floor looked nothing like the corporate offices she was accustomed to.

The reception area alone was enormous, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Dark marble stretched beneath her feet, while elegant furniture was arranged with the kind of effortless luxury that made everything look expensive without appearing gaudy.

Subtle lighting illuminated the walls, highlighting carefully selected pieces of modern art.

Even the air smelled different—clean, cool, and faintly scented with something expensive.

Claire’s eyes widened.

Did I get off on the wrong floor? Is this a hotel lounge?

She glanced back at the elevator.

The display clearly read 40.

The top floor.

She slowly turned around again.

This was the CEO’s office?

Her lips parted slightly.

Compared with this, Morgan’s office suddenly seemed almost modest.

Morgan Foster was one of the most powerful CEOs in the business world, yet his office had always reflected his personality—clean, restrained, minimalist, and almost intimidating in its simplicity.

Marco’s office was the complete opposite.

It was grand, luxurious, and extravagant.

Claire’s gaze traveled toward the enormous glass doors at the far end of the floor.

For the first time since she arrived, a thought occurred to her.

Who exactly is Marco?

She thought she already knew.

Apparently, she had only seen the surface.

...

”Come in.”

Marco’s voice came from inside the office.

Deep. Masculine. Smooth.

There was an effortless charm in it, the kind that made even a simple invitation sound like an order wrapped in velvet.

Claire paused outside the door for the briefest moment.

Then she lifted her chin, composed herself, and walked in.

Her heels clicked against the polished floor as she crossed the spacious office, her hips swaying with each deliberate step.

Marco was standing beside the floor-to-ceiling windows, one hand tucked casually into the pocket of his trousers.

He didn’t immediately turn around.

Instead, he looked down at the city below, as though the sprawling metropolis belonged to him.

Perhaps, Claire thought, in a way, it did.

”Marco,” she greeted.

”It should be Mr. Pollus, Miss Landers. We are at the office.”

Only then did he turn.

Claire’s smile froze for a moment. But when she noticed him staring, she smiled even brighter.

His gaze moved over her for a moment before settling on her face.

”Sit.”

Claire walked toward the seating area and crossed her legs as she settled into one of the leather chairs.

Marco remained standing for another moment before finally taking the chair opposite her.

”I heard about what happened at Aioryx, even before you sent a message.”

Claire’s expression tightened.

”I assume you mean my resignation.”

”I do.”

His tone was calm. There was no judgment in it.

No pity, either.

Claire looked away briefly.

”I didn’t have much of a choice.”

Marco leaned back.

”Didn’t you?”

Claire’s eyes flickered toward him.

He continued before she could answer.

”You were the Marketing Director at one of the city’s largest technology companies. You had authority, influence, and a strong reputation.”

His gaze sharpened.

”Now you’re unemployed.”

The bluntness of his words stung.

Claire forced a smile.

”It was because of you. ”

”Of course.”

Marco’s fingers tapped once against the armrest.

”But a resignation doesn’t erase your experience.”

Claire said nothing.

”I looked into your professional history.”

Her eyebrows lifted slightly.

”You did?”

”I wouldn’t have invited you here if I hadn’t.”

That answer made her sit a little straighter.

Marco reached for a folder on the table and opened it.

”Your record before your departure was impressive. You built a reputation in marketing, managed major campaigns, and handled some of Aioryx’s most important accounts.”

He paused.

”Whatever happened recently, those years of experience didn’t disappear overnight.”

Claire’s heart began beating faster.

There was something about the way he spoke that made her feel as though he had already made a decision.

Marco closed the folder.

”Galaxy Technologies is expanding its marketing division.”

Claire stared at him.

”And I have a position available.”

Her eyes widened.

”You’re offering me a job?”

”Yes.”

The answer came without hesitation.

Claire’s lips slowly curved into a smile.

After everything that had happened at Aioryx, after being forced out and watching her career seemingly collapse overnight, she had expected to spend months rebuilding her reputation.

Instead, she was sitting in the penthouse office of another powerful CEO.

And he was offering her a position.

”What position?” she asked.

”Senior Marketing Executive.”

Claire’s smile faltered slightly.

It was beneath the position she had held at Aioryx.

Marco noticed.

”You were a director,” he said calmly. ”I know.”

”Then why not offer me a director position?”

”Because I’m not interested in hiring a title.”

His eyes remained fixed on hers.

”I’m interested in hiring someone who can prove what she’s capable of.”

The words struck a nerve.

Claire’s fingers tightened around the edge of the chair.

Marco leaned forward slightly.

”If you perform well, advancement won’t be difficult.”

He paused.

”But I expect results.”

Claire studied him. He was far from the man that she slept with a few nights ago.

There was no charity in his offer. No empty promise.

He wasn’t offering her a place because he felt sorry for her.

He was offering her a job—and expecting her to earn everything that came after it.

After a moment, Claire smiled.

”I accept.”

Marco leaned back again. His posture relaxed, but his eyes were filled with calculation.

”Good.”

A strange sense of relief washed over Claire.

She lost her position at Aioryx.

But she got something better.