The Devil’s Game

**Ivery Clark POV** 

"You tricked me!" My voice echoed off the sleek marble walls of his office, sharp with anger. "You said this would be a boost for my college! Like a real opportunity!”

Alrigo, sitting behind his grand mahogany desk, didn’t so much as flinch. If anything, he looked amused, his dark eyes gleaming with something far too satisfied.

"Well I didn’t lie. For a mere student like you, setting foot here itself is a great opportunity, don't you think so?” His voice was pure mockery, smooth and condescending, every syllable dipped in arrogance.

“Or…do you think someone of your level could land a position at King Enterprises on their own?” He chuckled darkly. “Don’t delude yourself, you’re nowhere near it. You're here because I decided you should be.”

“You’re just a pet of mine,” his dark eyes locked onto mine, unwavering, unshaken. “A little thing I keep for my own amusement. You're here only to assist the work I give you, that's it. So don't worry about the intern certificate, you'll get it somehow.” 

My breath hitched, rage clawing up my throat. He was enjoying this. Enjoying watching me unravel. 

“You—” I glared at him, my fists trembling at my sides. "You cunning, manipulative bastard. Fuck you and your certificate. I'm done.” 

Alrigo chuckled, dark amusement dancing in his eyes. “No, you're not done. Also I suggest you mind your words from now on. This is my company. My domain, not your regular house.”

My body tensed as Alrigo got up and walked towards me, the air thickening around us like a storm about to break. 

“You can't quit whenever you want, little pet and I won’t tolerate another insult. And trust me…I won’t hesitate to punish you—regardless of the situation.”Alrigo drawled, his gaze pinning me in place like a predator toying with its prey.

"In the company or not, I’ll spank you hard if you misbehave," he inched closer and closer. "And no one here will dare question me about it.”

My breath hitched, my stomach twisting in both fury and something I refused to name as he towered over me, just an inch separating us. 

"You wouldn’t—”

“Wouldn’t I?” Alrigo whispered, his lips just inches from mine. "I could bend you over my desk right now, teach you a lesson in front of every employee in this building—and not a single one would question me. Because I do as I please. And you? You’re mine to discipline as I see fit.”

Heat flooded my chest, "You’re a monster," I spat, my voice shaking despite my efforts.

He exhaled a quiet laugh, his breath warm against my skin. "And yet, you’re still standing here, still shaking, still trapped under me like a frightened little pet.”

My nails dug into my palms, but I couldn’t argue. Because he was right. I was still here. Still caught in his web. And no matter how much I fought, I knew one terrifying truth—

He wasn’t letting me go.

Suddenly a knock on the door interrupted us. His secretary stepped in, poised and professional. "Sir, the board members are waiting. The meeting is about to begin.”

Alrigo smirked and stepped back from me, “Sit still and be quiet until I return," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Baffled, I stared at him. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me." His fingers brushed against my jaw in a fleeting, possessive touch before he strode past me. "Behave, little pet.”

This cruel son of a ... 

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**2 days later** 

I slammed the coffee cup onto his desk, just a little harder than necessary.

Alrigo didn’t even flinch. He barely lifted his gaze from the documents he was reviewing, his fingers idly tapping against the armrest of his chair. "Try again," he murmured, voice like silk over steel.

I stiffened. "What?"

"Take it back. Redo it.”

I sucked in a slow breath, gripping the edge of the tray to keep myself from launching it at his head. "You haven’t even tasted it."

His lips curled. "I don’t need to. I already know it’s wrong.”

A sharp pulse of frustration ran through me. This had been my life for days now—running up and down the damn building, making his coffee, fetching lunch, managing his clients like some overworked maid instead of an intern. 

Every time I brought him something, he found a flaw. Every time I thought I was done, he pulled me back in with another order, another errand, another cruel little task to remind me exactly what I was to him.

Not an employee. Not even a designer-in-training. 

Just a glorified personal servant.

My jaw clenched as I snatched the coffee cup back. "*Right away*, sir."

He smirked, leaning back in his chair as he watched me turn on my heel and stalk toward the door.

"Oh, and Ivery?"

I stopped, biting my tongue hard enough to keep from screaming.

"Don't forget the lunch," he said lazily. "I expect it on my desk by noon. And be quick about it this time. I’d hate to think you’re slacking off."

I closed my eyes, swallowing down the urge to strangle him. 

Then, without another word, I stormed out of his office, already seething at the fact that in less than an hour, I'd be right back here—serving him like some obedient little caretaker.

After managing everything I stepped into the office when the sound of a furious voice cut through the air like a whip.

“You dare call us again now? Was insulting us before not enough?” A man’s voice, sharp with anger, cut through the walls.

Alrigo’s secretary—spoke in a careful tone. “Sir, please believe me. Mr. King didn't do it on purpose, he had prepared everything but the contract papers were… ruined accidentally. Please give us another chance.” 

My fingers went ice-cold.

Ruined? Which contract—

My mind flashed back at the office room and the papers I had ruined deliberately.The one he had been negotiating for days. The one I had…My stomach twisted violently.

But then an old woman's voice came out sharp and unforgiving "If only your father was still running this company… what did he even think when he made you his heir.” 

I could feel the tension, something dark—something lethal—settling in the air like a storm waiting to break.

I didn't want to look.

I didn’t want to look.

But I did.

And I saw him.

Alrigo stood with his back to me, but I could feel his presence like a shadow crawling up my skin. His hands were pressed against the desk, knuckles taut, his posture eerily composed despite the razor-sharp tension crackling around him.

But then, like a predator catching the scent of its prey, Alrigo’s head turned.

His eyes found mine.

My breath hitched.

The room was still, but the energy around him was anything but. It felt like standing before a storm seconds before it tore everything apart.

Then, slowly, he smiled.

But it wasn’t a smile—it was a madness of a devil in wake.

"Miss Ivery,” he murmured, his voice silk wrapped around steel. "What perfect timing."

A slow, deliberate pause.

"Come in.”