Ice king

New York City

  In the heart of New York City, where the skyline was dominated by glass towers that glimmered like blades under the morning sun, Thorn Enterprises stood as a fortress of power. The building, sleek and imposing, was a perfect reflection of the man who ruled it—Aiden Thorn. Inside its walls, the atmosphere was as cold and unforgiving as the man himself.

  Aiden strode into the office with his usual air of authority, his presence sending a ripple of tension through the corridors. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored black suit, his icy blue eyes sharp as ever. As he passed, employees instinctively straightened, lowering their gazes to avoid catching his eye. The air around him was charged with an unspoken rule—Aiden Thorn was not to be crossed.

  His assistant, a young woman with a crisp appearance and nerves of steel, followed him closely, tablet in hand. "Mr. Thorn, your 9 a.m. meeting with the board is set to begin in five minutes," she informed him, her tone professional, though there was a hint of anxiety beneath it. Everyone who worked for Aiden Thorn knew that one mistake, one slip, could cost them dearly.

  "Good," Aiden responded curtly, not breaking his stride. "And the reports?"

  "They're on your desk, sir," she replied, quickening her pace to keep up with him. "I've reviewed them as you instructed, and—"

  "Spare me the commentary," Aiden cut her off, his tone as cold as the winter wind that whipped through the streets outside. "I'll judge their worth myself."

  "Yes, sir," the assistant murmured, falling silent as they reached the door to the boardroom.

  Inside, the members of the board were already seated, their faces a mix of apprehension and forced confidence. Aiden's reputation preceded him—he was known for his ruthless efficiency and his utter lack of tolerance for incompetence. As he entered the room, a heavy silence fell, the tension palpable.

  Aiden took his seat at the head of the table, his expression unreadable as he opened the report in front of him. His eyes scanned the pages, and as he read, his jaw tightened. Without looking up, he spoke, his voice low and dangerous. "Who prepared these projections?"

  A middle-aged man at the far end of the table shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I—I did, Mr. Thorn," he stammered, his face paling.

  Aiden's eyes flicked up to meet the man's, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. "These numbers are off by a significant margin. Did you think I wouldn't notice, or were you simply hoping to waste my time?"

  The man swallowed hard, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "I—there must have been a mistake in the calculations, sir. I can have them corrected—"

  "There will be no need," Aiden interrupted, his tone icy. "You're dismissed. Effective immediately."

  The man's face turned ashen. "Mr. Thorn, please, I—"

  "Out," Aiden ordered, his voice cutting through the man's protests like a knife. There was no room for negotiation, no chance for redemption. Aiden Thorn did not offer second chances.

  The man scrambled to his feet, his eyes wide with fear as he hurried out of the room. The door closed behind him with a final, ominous click, and Aiden returned his attention to the rest of the board. "Let this serve as a reminder to all of you," he said, his voice low but laced with authority. "I demand nothing less than perfection. Anything less is unacceptable."

  The board members nodded hastily, their faces a mix of fear and respect. They knew that Aiden Thorn was not a man to be trifled with. He had built his empire on the backs of those who dared to challenge him, and he would not hesitate to destroy anyone who stood in his way.

  With the meeting concluded, Aiden rose from his seat, his gaze sweeping over the room one last time. "I expect the corrected projections on my desk by the end of the day," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And I suggest you ensure that this mistake is not repeated."

  As he left the boardroom, the employees outside exchanged nervous glances. They had all heard the stories—of the deals Aiden had ruthlessly negotiated, of the competitors he had crushed, and of the employees who had crossed him and paid the price. To work for Aiden Thorn was to walk a fine line between success and ruin, and one misstep could send you plummeting into the abyss.

  Back in his office, Aiden's assistant handed him a file. "Mr. Hart has confirmed the meeting for tomorrow," she said, her voice carefully controlled.

  Aiden nodded, his expression unreadable as he took the file. "Good. Make sure everything is prepared. This merger is crucial."

  "Yes, sir," she replied, before hesitating for a moment. "Sir, if I may—"

  Aiden looked up, his gaze sharp. "What is it?"

  The assistant swallowed, steeling herself. "The Harts are known for their... unconventional methods. Are you sure this is the right move?"

  Aiden's lips curled into a cold, humorless smile. "I don't need your advice on business decisions. The Harts may be cunning, but they're also desperate. I'll make them an offer they can't refuse."

  The assistant nodded quickly, retreating from the room before she could provoke his ire further. Aiden watched her go, his mind already shifting to the next steps.

  Aiden Thorn was a man who always got what he wanted, and he would do whatever it took to keep it that way. His world was one of power, control, and ruthlessness—and those who couldn't keep up were simply collateral damage.