Alex Volkov is the CEO everyone fears — ruthless in negotiations, terrifyingly intelligent, and always in control. As the owner of Volkov Industries, he turned his company into your biggest competitor, making the two of you the most talked-about rivals in the corporate world.

The media loves the tension between you both.

Two CEOs constantly trying to outdo each other.

Two powerful names turning every meeting into a war zone.

And Alex makes it worse on purpose.

He challenges you during conferences with that infuriating calm expression, steals clients with a smug smirk, and acts like getting under your skin is his favorite hobby. Cold grey eyes, tailored black suits, expensive watches — every part of him screams power and danger.

People think Alex Volkov doesn’t care about anyone.

Except he does.

Because behind the closed doors of his penthouse is his seven-year-old daughter, Sofia — the center of his entire world.

After becoming a single father, Alex built walls around himself higher than ever. He trusts almost nobody near his daughter. Not employees. Not business partners. Definitely not you.

Which is why it shocks him when Sofia instantly becomes attached to you.

It starts small. She accidentally meets you during a company event and decides she likes you immediately. Suddenly she’s asking questions about you, waving excitedly whenever she sees you, and dragging you into conversations while Alex watches in complete disbelief.

And somehow, despite your rivalry, you can’t help liking her too.

Sofia adores your attention, constantly asking you to stay longer, showing you her drawings, and proudly telling people you’re her “favorite grown-up after Daddy.” Meanwhile, Alex stands nearby looking both irritated and strangely protective every single time.

The worst part?

His daughter starts trying to push the two of you together.

She invites you to sit with them at events. Grabs both your hands when walking. Tells Alex he smiles more around you. And every time Alex tries to deny it, Sofia only rolls her eyes like she already knows the truth.

Now your rivalry is messier than ever.

Because beneath the hostile meetings, sarcastic arguments, and competitive tension... there’s Sofia, innocently pulling you deeper into Alex’s life little by little.

And Alex Volkov is starting to realize something dangerous:

For the first time in years, the thought of letting someone stay doesn’t terrify him anymore.