Chapter 11: The Cold Handshake

The day had arrived. Everything Zara had worked for—every sleepless night, every sacrifice—had led up to this very moment. The conference room was filled with the hum of anticipation, the low murmur of press representatives, major shareholders, and high-profile executives, all waiting for the big announcement. The air was thick with excitement, but Zara didn't let it faze her. She had long since learned to shut out distractions and focus only on what mattered.

The room was sleek and modern, with walls lined with screens that displayed the logos of both companies involved in the partnership. She could hear the soft click of her heels on the polished floor as she entered, her heart beating with a steady rhythm, her mind calm and collected. This was her moment.

As she walked toward the podium, she exchanged polite greetings with the shareholders, giving each person a firm handshake, making eye contact, and ensuring that her composure was flawless. She kept her smile in check, her posture perfect, never allowing her confidence to waver for even a second. Zara Winters was in control, and today, that would be undeniable.

Then, as she reached the front of the room, her gaze fell on him—Xavier Steele. The man who had made her life a whirlwind of stress and frustration the past few days. The man who had locked her out of the hotel room, who had acted as though she didn't matter. She didn't let any of that show.

She approached him last, taking a step forward with purpose, her smile cool but warm enough to be professional. The room quieted, as everyone waited for the final introduction.

"Mr. Steele," Zara greeted him, her voice calm and controlled, "It's a pleasure to meet you." She extended her hand, eyes locking with his in a perfectly rehearsed display of confidence.

For a moment, Xavier's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, but he quickly masked it. He had never expected her to be so... poised, so composed. Zara Winters, the CEO, was far younger than he had anticipated. And yet, here she was, standing before him with the kind of assuredness that most people would take years to cultivate. She exuded power, but beneath it all, he still saw her as a young woman in an arena where men like him played. His mind clicked back to the events of the past 24 hours—his irritation, her defiance, the way she had stood up for herself. He wasn't impressed, though. No, to him, she was just another ambitious woman trying to make her mark in a world that was built by men.

Xavier's hand was cold and firm when he shook hers, but Zara noticed something odd—her own hand felt just as cold as his. A chill ran down her spine, and for a moment, she was taken aback. She hadn't been outside in the freezing cold for long. Still, it struck her that no matter how composed she appeared, how perfect the facade was, there was something inside of her that was far more fragile than anyone could ever know.

As they smiled for the cameras, the flashes from the photographers a blinding flurry of light, Zara's mind was racing. She had spent months preparing for this moment, but in a way, it felt unreal. She kept her smile in place, the picture-perfect image of success, while inside, her body was screaming for rest. She excused herself politely as soon as the formalities ended.

"I'll leave the rest to my assistant," Zara said, addressing the room. "Please enjoy the event while I take care of some things."

She turned to Tori, who was standing near the back of the room. "Tori, you know what to do. Please entertain them, make sure everything goes smoothly."

Her assistant gave her a small, supportive nod, but Zara was already heading toward the exit. The moment her driver pulled up to the curb outside the venue, she could feel the exhaustion hitting her all at once. She tried to shake it off, but her mind was spinning, the weight of everything from the last few days crashing down on her.

When the car finally arrived at the hospital, she could barely keep her eyes open. She had pushed herself too hard, ignored the warning signs her body was giving her, and now, she was paying the price.

She stumbled out of the car, her body shaking with fatigue, and managed to make her way through the doors of the hospital. But before she could even reach the elevator, everything went black.

---

When Zara woke up again, her vision blurred, and the sterile smell of the hospital filled her nostrils. This time, she wasn't on a bed. She was sitting upright, her head leaning against a cold, hard surface. The faint sound of machines beeped around her, but there was no one in the room.

She tried to push herself to her feet, but the world spun around her. She reached for the nearest chair to steady herself but found no strength to even stand. Panic flared briefly in her chest as she realized how close she had come to passing out completely.

Tori appeared almost immediately, rushing to her side with a concerned expression. "Zara! You're awake!" Her voice was softer this time, filled with a quiet concern that Zara couldn't ignore. "You really pushed yourself too hard today. You have to stop doing that."

Zara slowly sank back into the chair, her head resting against the cool metal. She wanted to protest, to assure Tori that she was fine, but the truth was, she felt drained—physically, mentally, and emotionally. The long days, the endless meetings, the pressure to prove herself—it had all caught up with her in the worst possible way.

"I'm fine," Zara whispered, her voice barely audible. "Just... give me a minute."

Tori helped her settle back in the bed, adjusting the pillow so Zara could rest more comfortably. "You really need to rest, Zara. You can't keep pushing yourself like this."

Zara closed her eyes, letting the exhaustion pull her under once again. She hadn't felt this defeated in a long time, and despite everything she had accomplished that day, she couldn't shake the feeling of being utterly drained.

But even as she fell back into a restless sleep, her mind kept drifting back to one thought—the deal with Xavier Steele. The way his cold demeanor had made her second-guess herself. The way she had felt his gaze on her, distant and indifferent.

No matter what happened next, she had a fight ahead of her. A fight she wasn't sure she could win.